Browsing the ACC's Artists' Files

One of the unique and often-referenced treasures of the American Craft Council library is its collection of artists' files.

Currently, files exist for more than 3,000 artists, including those who have been elected to the ACC College of Fellows by their peers or have received Gold Medals from the ACC. Fellows are artists who have demonstrated outstanding artistic achievement, leadership, and service in the craft field for at least 25 years. Gold Medals are awarded for consummate craftsmanship.

Content in each artist's file varies, but an inclusive file may contain news clippings, exhibition postcards, slides, photographs, and more. Most files are from the 1950s-90s and provide an historic snapshot of the artists during this time period.

Like other library resources, artists' files are available for in-house use, and there's an artist registry for locating files. If you're interested in our artists' files and can't visit, library staff can see if a particular file exists and what's in it. For a fee, they can scan and email documents (within copyright). Contact the library with any questions.

A weekly shout out to the printed word, From the Stacks highlights what's new and what's loved in the American Craft Council library.