About the Craft Cottage

The Craft Cottage is a volunteer-run retail and exhibition space operated by the Crafts Council Ballarat. Located within the Ballarat Botanical Gardens, the Cottage has supported regional makers and handmade practice since 1992.

Our members are practising artisans who contribute their time and creative energy to sustain both the building and the wider craft community. Work on display includes ceramics, textiles, woodwork, jewellery, painting, photography and mixed media — all handmade by regional Victorian makers.

Displays change regularly, reflecting seasonal themes and the diverse practices of our members. Visitors are welcomed by the makers themselves through our roster system, creating opportunities for conversation and connection.

Beyond the Cottage, the Crafts Council presents an annual themed exhibition in the Robert Clark Conservatory and participates in major community events including the Begonia Festival, Seniors Festival and Children’s Week.

For more than thirty years, the Craft Cottage has provided a space for regional makers to share, sustain and celebrate handmade practice.

Membership

The Crafts Council Ballarat welcomes new members who are committed to high-quality handmade work and who are able to participate in the Cottage roster.

Membership offers the opportunity to:

• Exhibit and sell work in a respected community space
• Participate in themed exhibitions
• Connect with fellow regional makers
• Contribute to the care of a historic building

As a cooperative organisation, members share responsibility for presentation, customer experience and the ongoing vitality of the Cottage.

Interested in becoming a member?
Please contact us via the Contact page to arrange a conversation about participation.