Become A Trail Participant

Trail participation is open to Virginia artisans, farms and craft venues that are members of the Artisans Center of Virginia and meet certain criteria, as well as to supporting trail site businesses that provide food, lodging or are a point of interest.

The Artisan Trail Network with its community loops are designed to attract visitors to artisan studios, agri-artisan farms and local craft businesses (Research, based on similar trails in western North Carolina, has shown that 97% of travelers make a purchase somewhere along the trail, artisan studios and farms have shown an increase of 23% in sales and craft shops and galleries reported a 28% increase in revenue).

As a trail participant, you have the opportunity to be featured in the Artisan Trail Network online trip planning section of the ACV website as well as having the added-value opportunity to advertise your location in a printed map brochure (deadlines for various trail regions vary).

Read more about Trail Participation Criteria.

Current Trail Systems Accepting Enrollment:

The Monticello Artisan Trail - encompassing Nelson & Albemarle Counties including the City of Charlottesville and other townships in their jurisdictions.

The Staunton Augusta Waynesboro Trail – encompassing Augusta County including the cities of Staunton and Waynesboro and other townships within their jurisdiction.

The Virginia’s Western Highlands Trail – encompassing Alleghany, Bath, Craig and Highland Counties and the townships within their jurisdiction.

Apply to become a Trail Participant

Membership in ACV is required for all artist studios, agri-artisan/farms, and craft-related venues. The fees noted below are inclusive of the one-time trail setup fee, ACV and trail annual fees.

· Craft Artisans »
$90 (includes one-time setup fee and annual participation fees)
Individual Virginia craft artisan studio businesses that make hand-crafted objects without the use of kits, commercial models and whose primary components are not manufactured.  ACV juried status is not required of craft artisan participants. A craft artisan studio trail site features 5 or less artists (including the owner of the studio).  If more than 5 artists are featured, the site must upgrade to a “craft related venue”.

· Agri Artisan Farm & 2-Dimensional Artists »
$100 (includes one-time setup fee and annual participation fees)
Agricultural-based Virginia businesses that rely on natural resources of the land such as family farms, vineyards, wineries, breweries, orchards, organic farming, roadside stands, etc.  These enterprises produce food, fiber, unique crops or livestock, add value to traditional agricultural products, or offer recreational, education, nature or other farm-based activities. Two-dimensional fine artist studios are eligible for consideration. As with craft artisan studios, 2-D artist studios may feature 5 or less artists (including the owner of the studio). If more than 5 artists are featured, the site must upgrade to a “craft-related venue.”

· Craft-Related Business or Venue »
Non-Profit: $170 (includes one-time setup fee and annual participation fees)
For Profit: $220 (includes one-time setup fee and annual participation fees)
Venues, businesses and organizations who are primarily engaged in selling, exhibiting or promoting locally made crafts.  This can include schools, museums, galleries and cultural/historic sites that have a direct connection to artisan aspects and cultural heritage.

· Are you a business or point of interest (such as a restaurant, shop, tourist location, etc.) that wants to participate? Then click here to learn more about becoming a Supporting Trail Site.

It’s that easy! Begin attracting visitors from all around the world right to your door by becoming a trail participant today! Once your application has been reviewed you will be contacted about a visit to verify that your location meets all of the trail participation criteria listed in your trail area’s participation criteria.

Are you an artisan, agri-artisan or craft venue in one of the 19 counties of Southwest Virginia? Click here to learn how to become a trail participant on one of the Round the Mountain regional trails.