We welcome your ideas for stories in upcoming issues of American Craft!

American Craft celebrates the diversity of American craft and its makers. From the handmade that we use in our homes every day to the fine craft honored in museums, we cover inspiring craft being made today. We also showcase craft organizations making a difference in their communities, thought leadership in the field, and the importance of craft in contemporary American culture.

GENERAL GUIDELINES

• American Craft publishes reported articles, essays, and opinion pieces. We go through a rigorous editing process to produce polished writing that's meaningful, timely, and relevant.
• We ask that you look at past articles in the magazine (many can be found here), review these guidelines, and consider our upcoming themes (also below) before sending us your ideas.
• Are you an artist who wants us to know about your work? Great! Please let us know if you think there's an upcoming issue where your work would fit particularly well. We often discover artists we want to cover, then go out and find a great writer for the story.
• Stories are generally assigned at 400-2000 words. Our pay is $0.50–$1.00 per word, depending on assignment.
• We welcome diverse writers and feature diverse artists and makers. We do not discriminate on the basis of age, ancestry, disability, family status, gender identity or expression, national origin, race, religion, sex or sexual orientation, or for any other reason.

AUDIENCE

The magazine is for craft enthusiasts, artists, collectors, and independent thinkers with a keen interest in the creative process—including materials, techniques, and processes. These readers recognize the many design choices they have in everyday life—in their creative work, the artful objects in their homes and workplaces, the clothing they wear, and the media they engage with. The core audience of American Craft values community, sustainability, authenticity, and well-made things.

WRITERS

We value writers who can craft content for a general creative audience with clarity and insight. We love good reporting, great storytelling, and meaningful essays. Writers should take special care, when touching on craft theory or history, to write clearly, for a non-academic audience.

Many American Craft writers have experience as arts journalists, are thorough in their reporting, and write with depth and nuance. We also love working with diverse artists and other craft professionals who have something to say to readers of American Craft. The ideal writer can be counted on to:

• Keep us apprised of changes in story concept at the reporting stage
• Write to the agreed-upon length
• Meet all deadlines
• Collaborate on editing, responding quickly to questions and suggestions
• Help to gather images when necessary

QUERIES

We welcome queries (using the form below) that sum up in a paragraph or two the most interesting aspects of a proposed story. If possible, please also include reference links and images with your pitch. We aim for a well-written magazine, and one that is also visually impactful.

We are interested in:

• Artists—whether emerging, mid-career, or seasoned—who use unusual materials; have discovered a new technique; have traveled unusual paths in their work; are going through a transition, reaching a pinnacle, or facing a challenge; are working in collaborative partnerships; and more.
• Ideas. How is craft evolving to meet the moment?
• Craft that brings together a community for a good purpose.
• Craft that reflects values of sustainability and community.
• Handmade goods that are beautiful, innovative, and affordable.
• Galleries that specialize in craft.
• Museums, schools, and organizations advancing craft in interesting ways.
• People who’ve collected craft and art objects in a unique way.
• Craft destinations—places people can visit to see and experience craft.
• Books, films, podcasts, exhibitions, and shows of interest to a broad craft-loving audience.

THEMES AND DEADLINES

Fall 2023: Collect. To collect is to gather things with discernment, or to gather one’s self. In this issue we showcase craft that is made from collections of objects or a collective spirit. We go into artists’ studios to see how they gather and preserve the materials, tools, and other resources they need; what kinds of objects and ideas they collect to have near them for inspiration; and how they keep themselves collected so they can keep making every day. And we consider what it means to collect craft now.

Winter 2024: Light. Light is associated with brightness, weightlessness, and the human spirit. In this issue we showcase objects that shimmer, handcrafted lighting, and craft fashioned from lofty materials. We discover what lights artists up, how craft illuminates our homes and lives, and how a well-loved object can brighten our days.

Visionaries in Craft. In upcoming issues, American Craft will be recognizing individuals, organizations, collectives, projects, etc. that use craft to make a difference. Who and what do we need to know about? Where are folks responding creatively to what’s happening in the world through craft or their craft platform and making a big impact on their community as a result? Who are the visionaries and changemakers? We’d appreciate your help finding them!

Submission Form

Please use this form to submit your story idea to the American Craft editorial team.