Mar 27, 2009

American Craft Council Announces Changes: Charlotte and Sarasota Shows to Close

New York, NY – The American Craft Council today announced a programming change that will help the organization continue to best serve its mission, now and in the future. The Council is cancelling its shows in Charlotte, North Carolina and Sarasota, Florida. The change will allow the Council to focus on its four shows located in diverse geographic areas: Baltimore, Maryland; Atlanta, Georgia; St. Paul, Minnesota and San Francisco, California.

“The American Craft Council is committed to our mission of promoting understanding and appreciation of contemporary American craft,” commented American Craft Council Board Chair Lani Duke. “Like other industries, the arts – especially nonprofit arts organizations – are facing severe economic challenges locally and nationally. The Council is reaffirming our commitment to our core programs while at the same time identifying the need to make difficult program cuts.”

“The Charlotte and Sarasota shows have provided great community outreach but unfortunately have experienced a decline in artist participation, public attendance and revenue,” continued Duke. “It no longer makes sense to subsidize these losses. As planned steps towards the future, the Council will devote resources to presenting the best experience and innovative work for our artists, members and public audiences through our four continuing shows.”

American Craft Council’s Continuing Outreach Programs
As part of the Council’s ongoing advocacy for craft and its goal to connect new audiences with innovative makers and their handmade work, the Council is presenting the following educational programs in 2009:

· Conference: Creating a New Craft Culture (October 15-17, 2009, Minneapolis, MN): The Council will host an interactive conference to investigate how the core values of craft play a role in future marketplace models. Presenters include: Dr. Richard Sennett, professor and author, The Craftsman; Rob Walker, columnist for the New York Times Magazine and author of Buying In: The Secret Dialogue Between What We Buy and Who We Are; Garth Clark esteemed curator, historian, scholar, and owner Garth Clark Gallery; Dr. Sandra Alfoldy, Associate Professor, Craft History, NSCAD University; Tom Patti, glass artist; and Julie Lasky, Editor, Change Observer.

· Summer in the City Salon Series (Summer 2009, New York, NY): In partnership with Etsy.com, an online marketplace for buying and selling handmade craft, the Council will host three informative public conversations exploring innovations and convergences in craft led by prominent guest artists, bloggers, gallery owners and others in the craft field. Event dates will be announced in May 2009.

· American Craft magazine: The Council serves a readership of 90,000 with American Craft, a bi-monthly magazine that features undiscovered makers and innovative artistic leaders to connect the converging worlds of craft, design, art, fashion, architecture and industry.