Cultural Enterprise Hub – Winnipeg
Overview
Cultural Enterprise Hub – Winnipeg
Manitoba's Black communities bring extraordinary cultural wealth — in food, fashion, music, art, language, storytelling, and heritage. The Cultural Enterprise Hub supports Black Manitobans in turning cultural knowledge, skills, and creativity into sustainable businesses and social enterprises.
From African and Caribbean food businesses and catering companies to fashion designers, visual artists, musicians, cultural event organizers, and heritage educators — this program provides the business skills, market access, and community visibility needed to build viable cultural enterprises that preserve tradition while generating income.
Who Is This For?
- Black artisans, chefs, caterers, designers, musicians, and cultural practitioners
- Black Manitobans interested in starting a food, fashion, arts, or heritage-based business
- Existing cultural businesses seeking to formalize, grow, or access new markets
- Cultural organizations and collectives seeking capacity-building support
What You Will Gain
- Business essentials for cultural enterprises — licensing, food safety, product development, pricing
- Market access — pop-up markets, community events, partnerships with local retailers and venues
- Storytelling and branding — how to tell your cultural story in a way that connects with customers
- E-commerce and online sales training — selling cultural products online
- Connections to festivals, cultural events, and community celebrations across Manitoba
- Food business incubation — commercial kitchen access, food safety certification, and menu development support (through partners)
- Collective visibility — featuring cultural enterprises in CBEE’s platforms and events
Program Structure
Element | Details |
|---|---|
Format | Workshop series + market access events + one-on-one business advising |
Duration | 8-week workshop series (2 cycles per year: Winter and Summer) |
Frequency | Weekly sessions (Saturdays, 1:00–3:30 PM) + monthly pop-up market opportunities |
Location | Winnipeg — cultural venues, community centres, and partner commercial kitchens |
Cohort Size | 10–12 cultural entrepreneurs per cycle |