Artists across the country and Canada will be casting their votes for NICHE magazine’s 2007 Top Retailer Awards.

Artists can nominate retailers and other arts organizations for the award by visiting www.nichemag.com, where they can vote online or download a paper ballot to mail in. Voting will close March 31. All American craft retailers are eligible for this award.

The Top Retailer Awards recognize craft galleries and retailers, arts nonprofits, museums, and guilds for growing and strengthening the American craft community.

Winners will be announced at an awards ceremony on Aug. 5, during the summer Buyers Market of American Craft, August 4-6, at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia. Award categories are:

* Retailer of the Year
* Top Retailer (24 winners)
* Best Arts Nonprofit
* Best Merchandising
* Best Customer Newsletter
* Best Advertising Campaign
* Best New Store (less than five years old)
* Best Museum Store
* Best Guild Store
* Best Online Marketing or Web site
* Best In-Store Event

Winners in each category will be featured in the fall issue of NICHE magazine.

Nominations are based on the criteria outlined in NICHE magazine’s Retailer Guide to Best Practices. The guide details the characteristics of craft retailers who are committed to fair business practices. The Retailer Guide to Best Practices may be viewed or downloaded at www.AmericanCraft.com.

When voting closes, nominated retailers will receive a retailer application, which must be completed and returned in order to advance to the judging stage of the competition. A panel of independent judges consisting of prominent members of the craft community will review and score each retailer application. The retailer with the highest score in each category will be named the winner.

JCK