WCO Creative Maker applications and registration deadline for the 2025 Spring Jury Review is March 17, 2025
Do you make food, crafts or art by hand in the Pennsylvania Wilds and want to distribute them through PA Wilds Center platforms? Are you a graphic designer, website developer, or videographer based in the region who wants to be promoted to other businesses and nonprofits? If you answered yes to any of these questions, be sure to apply for the Wilds Cooperative of PA and register for the 2025 Spring Jury Review by March 17, 2025!
Monday, March 17th is the deadline for artisans and entrepreneurs in the creative industry to apply for Wilds Cooperative of PA membership and register for the 2025 Spring Jury Review. Visual, craft and food artisans, as well professionals working across various creative digital media are encouraged to apply.
The Jury Review is a necessary step for artisans and creative industry professionals to take advantage of the core benefits being a member of the Wilds Cooperative of PA (WCO), a network of more than 600 businesses, organizations and communities from across the rural Pennsylvania Wilds that is focused on building rooted local wealth through opportunities tied to the region’s outdoor recreation industry.
CREATIVE MAKER BENEFITS
All WCO members gain access to a growing peer network, branding and marketing tools, education and professional development opportunities, new market opportunities, and mentorship and referrals to Pennsylvania’s financial and technical service programs.
For Professional Level Creative Makers, core WCO membership benefits include: being able to apply to sell products at the PA Wilds Conservation Shops, being listed in the PA Wilds Buyer’s Guide, having public establishments featured on PAWilds.com, receiving branded tags for use on your saleable goods, and more.
NOT YET A MEMBER?
Additional information about joining the WCO can be found by visiting WildsCoPA.org. WCO membership applications and Jury Review registration must be submitted by 4 p.m. EST on March 17, 2025 to participate in the 2025 Spring Jury Review.
ALREADY A WCO MEMBER?
Creative Makers currently in the WCO at the Basic Level may choose to be re-juried, in an attempt to receive a higher jury score and access Professional Level membership benefits. For example, Professional Level WCO members are eligible to apply to sell products at the PA Wilds Conservation Shops and are listed in the annual PA Wilds Buyer’s Guide. (Note: Professional Level Creative Makers and all Experience Makers are not eligible for jury review.)
If registering to be re-juried, we recommend that you ensure your WCO profile is complete and up-to-date. Please be sure to include any social media or website links for your business.
ABOUT THE JURY REVIEW
The jurying process allows us to keep our brand strong and to curate a unique experience for visitors. To evaluate Creative Makers at the Basic Level, juries made up of professionals from relevant fields are convened twice yearly to evaluate applications and images and/or publications. The jurors complete scoring sheets and provide comments designed to be helpful in marketing or promotion, or further improvement. Creative Makers with a jury score of 301+ become Professional Level members and receive additional benefits, such as the ability to apply to sell products at the PA Wilds Conservation Shops and being listed in the PA Wilds Buyer’s Guide.
All WCO members gain access to a growing peer network, branding and marketing tools, education and professional development opportunities, new market opportunities, and mentorship and referrals to Pennsylvania’s financial and technical service programs.
NOTE: To be juried, you must complete the form linked in the registration confirmation email by March 24, 2025. This provides critical information to the jury panel to help them properly evaluate your work.
Once the jury session takes place, Creative Makers in Review are notified of their status in the program and may request additional feedback or information if desired.
Additional information can be found here.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Learn more and apply at WildsCoPA.org/Join/Creative-Makers-Join/. Additional questions may be directed to WCO Support at Wi*******@PA***********.org.
