Arts & Crafts

Arts & Crafts

Arts & Crafts. Independent record company formed in Toronto in 2002 by Jeffrey Remedios and Kevin Drew. Remedios, the former head of promotions at Virgin Canada, and Drew, the co-founder of Broken Social Scene, created Arts & Crafts after becoming disheartened by the commercial objectives of major labels. Arts & Crafts released Broken Social Scene's second full-length album You Forgot It In People (A&C001) in 2003, and soon after began signing other indie musicians. Among the label's earliest releases were those by Stars, Feist, Jason Collett, and Apostle of Hustle. Other artists that have recorded for Arts & Crafts include the Constantines, Amy Millan, The Stills, The Most Serene Republic, and Gonzales.

Arts & Crafts has also functioned as a music publisher, merchandiser, distributor, and management company. From its inception, the label has managed its artists in addition to releasing their records, an approach that has since been adopted by major record companies. In 2005 Arts & Crafts launched Gallery AC to offer digital downloads of the label's music. The Arts & Crafts catalogue has also been distributed by EMI.

Arts & Crafts's national and international profile was enhanced by Feist's highly successful 2007 release, The Reminder (A&C023). While the label mainly supports Canadian artists, it has also signed acts from Australia, Wales, and France. In 2008, the label opened Arts & Crafts México to distribute within the country and explore the local indie music community. Arts & Crafts México has released the recordings of Canadian groups affiliated with other labels, including Metric and The Dears.

Arts & Crafts was named the Canadian independent label of the year at both the 2008 and 2009 Canadian Music & Broadcast Industry Awards. Artists represented by the label have won Juno Awards, have been nominated for Grammy Awards, and have been shortlisted for the Polaris Music Prize.