American Craft Council's Page

We always welcome your feedback, questions and comments, to better serve the craft community.

Check out our upcoming conference in October!

In this transitional moment, the American Craft Council has engaged a distinguished group of speakers representing voices from inside and outside the craft field to stimulate your thinking and to investigate the inherent tensions between craft as a lifestyle and craft as a livelihood.

Speakers include Richard Sennett, Rob Walker, Garth Clark, Sonya Clark, Lisa Bayne, Julie Lasky, Adam Lerner, Faythe Levine, Maria Thomas, Namita Wiggers and many more prominent leaders in the contemporary craft field!

More info here: http://www.craftcouncil.org/conference09/

PAST EVENTS

Apply to the 2010 American Craft Council show season!

Exhibit your work among the best! For over 35 years American Craft Council shows have become the model for quality and leadership in the craft field. If you produce original and handmade work in ceramics, glass, metal, jewelry, clothing and accessories, furniture and lighting and more, apply now. It’s an opportunity to exhibit and sell your work across the country to thousands of craft buyers, collectors, and enthusiasts who attend the shows. Artists juried in will gain access to the Council’s nationwide network of marketing and public relations firms, be featured on the Council’s website year round and published in the show directories. Pick and choose among one wholesale and four retail shows produced throughout the year.

2010 Show Schedule
Baltimore wholesale: February 23-24 **NEW** 2-day show
Baltimore retail: February 25-28 **NEW** 4-day show
Atlanta retail: March 12-14 (Preview Party March 11)
St. Paul retail: April 16-18
San Francisco retail: August 6-8

There is only one deadline for all shows: July 31, 2009.

All applications will be reviewed under a rigorous jury process; results will be announced in September. Apply on-line at www.zapplication.org.

A complete prospectus is available at www.craftcouncil.org/apply. And the Council staff is available to help with your application. Email shows@craftcouncil.org, or call us at 800.836.3470 x276.

The American Craft Council Show in San Francisco!

New artists, alternative work, and a Green Craft component will be on display at The American Craft Council Show in San Francisco at Fort Mason Center, August 14-16, 2009. Celebrating its 34th year in the Bay Area, this much-anticipated event delivers the nation's leading 250 artists and their latest designer jewelry, furniture, clothing, home decor and more to the public. Guests can indulge in wine tastings from top vineyards and be part of entertaining and informative demonstrations throughout the weekend.

Special Friday Night Event: Join the American Craft Council and director/author Faythe Levine for a special screening of her film "Handmade Nation," documenting the rise of the handmade craft movement throughout the U.S. 8:30pm in The Golden Gate Room at Fort Mason. Faythe will be on hand for an introduction and post-film Q & A session. Admission: $12, OR $5 with proof of show admission (hand stamp). Doors open at 8:00pm; space is limited and available on a first come, first serve basis. www.handmadenationmovie.com

Salon Series: Craft's Contribution to a Sustainable World / Bamboo Bicycles

Join us on August 12th in the Council's library for the second of this summer's Salons exploring Craft's Contribution to a Sustainable World.

Utilizing a renewable material growing right in our backyards, the Bamboo Bike Project is creating a new model for social entrepreneurship and development, using craft, DIY techniques, and natural resources.

Marty Odlin, co-founder and engineer of the Bamboo Bike Studio and assistant director of the Education Center for Sustainable Engineering at Columbia University, will discuss the history of this project, as well as its implications in other fields. He will be joined by Justin Aguinaldo, a New York bike messenger who brings his knowledge of bike mechanics to the Bamboo Bike Project.

When: Wednesday, August 12, 6:30-7:30 p.m., reception to follow
Where: 72 Spring Street, 6th floor, New York, NY 10012.
Reservations are required and space is limited.
Price: $10; $5 for students with current ID.
To rsvp, contact Kate at intern@craftcouncil.org or call (212)274–0630 x272.