Iqaluit (May 15/06) - The word is out. The Nunavut Arts Festival is set for this summer in Iqaluit, and it's looking for artists.

Organized by the Nunavut Arts and Crafts Association (NACA), the festival is a chance for artists from around Nunavut to travel to the capital, where they will exhibit their work and develop connections with funding agencies.

Pond Inlet's Martha Kunuu shows off her work at last year's Nunavut Arts Festival in Iqaluit. The festival runs from June 21-28 this year. - NNSL file photo

"A lot of artists work in isolation in their communities," said Beth Beattie, director of NACA, and the festival helps them meet other artists, as well as potential buyers.

Now in its seventh year, the festival is becoming a mainstay in Iqaluit, after years as a touring festival.

"It was just too much work," said Beattie of the process of setting up in a new city each year. "It's enough work in Iqaluit."

Plus, she hopes a regular location will help the event grow, as more agencies, artists and visitors become involved. This year, the Iqaluit Music Society, the Qaggiq Theatre Company, Ajjiit Nunavut Media Association among others, have already committed to help.

She said the entertainment provided by these groups helps it become more than an art showing, drawing visitors from around the world. These efforts allowed the festival to sell more than $65,000 in art last year.

"We want to build our audience," Beattie said, referring to the hundreds of thousands in sales that Inuvik's Great Northern Arts Festival generates each year.

Beattie said artists are encouraged to participate in workshops and seminars, where they are exposed to new materials, techniques and other artists.

They are also encouraged to attend NACA's annual general meeting, where they can become more familiar with how the organization operates.

While Beattie said many artists are taken aback during their early visits, it doesn't take long for them to find their voice.

"The artists are getting much more vocal," she said. "They see that this is their organization - this helps them become stronger."

The festival runs from June 21 to June 28 this year. Applications to attend are available from hamlet economic development officers, or at the NACA website.

The deadline for applications is May 26.