Executive Director’s Cut: Winter 2013

I hope that you have had a great start to 2013. This is the time of the year when we reflect on what we have accomplished in 2012 and give thanks for all of the support we have received from craft advocates like you. As a nonprofit organization, our work is contingent on growing our national membership base and securing contributed gifts to support and develop our programs to address the needs of the field. Your support of ACC programming as an artist, member, advertiser, or educator is vital, and I am happy that you are part of our community of supporters.

ACC’s programming and work to support artists and advance the craft community is as important today as it was when ACC started, more than 70 years ago. Earlier this year, I provided you a summary of the Council’s new strategic plan, which was developed based on my national conversations with members of the craft community. I am excited to share our accomplishments over the past year in our goal areas:

Goal: Promote and advocate for craft as an important cultural resource
We built audience and understanding for craft through our magazine, American Craft, our new website, and coverage of our national craft shows: 

• For the second year in a row we have grown ACC membership – we now exceed 25,000 members! One of the benefits for members is our publication, American Craft, which just received 16 medals for excellence from the Minnesota Magazine Publishers Association.

• Our revitalized website continues to attract new visitors and provide new content about and for the craft community. Online usage of ACC resources has increased dramatically this year – usage is up 128% over the prior year.

• We have generated record media coverage of our craft shows in each of our markets through our StyleMakers campaign, which connected people in each community to handcrafted objects that defined their styles and brought beauty into their everyday lives. ACC shows even received coverage in Delta’s Sky magazine, which is read by more than five million people!

Goal: Strengthen economic opportunities within the craft field
ACC strengthened economic opportunities by creating marketplace connections and providing professional development opportunities.

• We have expanded our very successful School to Market program to three of our national craft shows. This innovative and unique program works with educational institutions and students to bridge the gap between the educational curriculum and the marketplace. This partnership is a year-long program (study and work production) that gives students real world experience in the art show marketplace.

• We provided professional education opportunities to artists and wholesale buyers in Baltimore to help them navigate and succeed in the rapidly changing marketplace.  Nationally renowned guest speakers helped attendees understand how to tell their story, attract new customers, and work effectively online and in the bricks and mortar marketplace. All sessions were recorded and available online through ACC’s website for use by all artists and gallery owners.

Goal: Provide thought leadership and expand critical thinking about contemporary craft
As an educational organization, ACC cultivates critical thinking and expands the public understanding of craft through our world-renowned library and by recognizing artists and craft advocates through our national awards program.

• This year ACC was able to digitize part of our library collection and make it available on the Internet. This online resource is used world-wide by researchers, students, and educational institutions to further understanding of contemporary American craft. People from 33 countries have used ACC’s digital resources this year! Click here to explore the ACC Digital Collections.

• On November 2, ACC celebrated our 2012 national honorees for outstanding artistic achievement and leadership in the field of American craft. We recognized 11 individual artists and advocates in a public awards ceremony and special exhibition of work at the SOFA Chicago show. Stephen De Staebler was awarded the Gold Medal, ACC’s highest award recognizing craftsmanship and artistic achievement. You can read the "Masters" feature in American Craft or watch our videos of the exhibition and the awardees.

These are a few highlights of our work in each goal area this year. We have committed staff and volunteers working diligently to support artists, build understanding, and expand opportunities for the craft community. I hope you have the opportunity to take advantage of ACC’s programming this year - in person through our shows and library and education programs, by reading American Craft magazine, or online through our website and digital collections database.

Again, thank you for your support as we champion craft!

Sincerely,

Christopher H. Amundsen
Executive Director