| Nov. 5, 2009 |
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
Alicia Balkrishna
Landis Communications, Inc.
On behalf of the American Craft Council
www.landispr.com
415-359-2316
[email protected]
Bernadette Boyle
American Craft Council
212-274-0630 x252
[email protected]
National nonprofit dedicated to championing contemporary American craft will open Minneapolis office in July 2010
NEW YORK, NY (November 5, 2009) - The American Craft Council, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to championing contemporary American craft, today announced plans to relocate from New York City to Minneapolis, Minn. The Council plans to open its new office in July 2010, and is currently in negotiations for a space.
“The Council is proud to have been headquartered in New York for 66 years, but the high cost of doing business in the city is not a sustainable financial model for our organization given the current economic climate,” said Leilani Duke, Chair of the American Craft Council Board. “As part of a year-long strategic planning process, the Council Board determined that relocating to the Midwest - with its rich craft traditions and energetic artist communities - is an exciting and positive step. The move ensures that the Council can achieve its mission of championing contemporary American craft throughout the United States while effectively managing operational costs.”
The American Craft Council will join a number of nationally-known art and craft organizations in the Twin Cities area, including the Minneapolis Institute of Arts, Minnesota State Arts Board, American Association of Woodturners, Northern Clay Center, The Textile Center and Minnesota Center for Book Arts. Minneapolis-St. Paul is home to the third-largest number of museums in the country, including the Walker Art Center and the Frederick R. Weisman Art Museum.
“Minneapolis, one of the country’s most vibrant centers for art and craft, provides tremendous opportunities for the Council to enhance its contributions to art and craft communities at a national and local level,” continued Duke. “The Council has presented an annual juried craft show in St. Paul for 23 years, which has already helped us to build strong connections in the community. The Council looks forward to exploring partnerships and collaborations with craft organizations, museums and academic institutions in the region.”
“Nearly 9,000 people work in the arena of nonprofit arts and culture in Minneapolis,” said R.T. Rybak, Mayor of Minneapolis. “The arts are a driving force in the city’s economy. Already home to 275 arts and cultural organizations, we welcome the American Craft Council to our community.”
As part of its relocation, The Council plans to house its library - the nation’s largest library collection of print and visual materials on American craft - in its new space in Minneapolis. Containing more than 6,400 books, 7,000 exhibition catalogs, 700 bound volumes of leading periodicals, a substantial collection of artist files and an accompanying database, the Council’s library will be available to the public.
“The Downtown Council is delighted by the relocation of one of the nation’s most important arts organizations to Minneapolis,” said Sam Grabarski, president of the Minneapolis Downtown Council. “In addition to bringing jobs to the local economy, the Council’s library and historic materials will be a unique resource to our community. As a community, we are second to none in terms of corporate or foundation support for the arts, so I am confident that the Council will thrive here.”
American Craft Council Programs
As part of the Council’s ongoing advocacy for craft, the Council presents the following programs:
• Annual Juried Craft Shows: The Council’s juried shows present outstanding works by America's leading craftspeople for retail and wholesale purchase. Since 1966, the Council’s shows have grown to become a model of quality and leadership in the craft field and a major support system for professional craftspeople. The Council currently presents annual shows in St. Paul, Minn.; Baltimore, Md.; Atlanta, Ga. and San Francisco, Calif.
• National Conferences and Education Programs: The Council hosts interactive conferences to investigate critical issues in the fields of craft and design. In 2009, the Council presented ‘Creating a New Craft Culture’ in Minneapolis. Other Council symposia and programs help students and emerging artists learn to succeed in the field. Through its School-to-Market program, for example, the Council invites undergraduate students in craft and material studies programs to curate an exhibition of their work at the American Craft Council Show in Baltimore. Students learn the business of marketing their work, gaining valuable experience in booth design, installation, interaction with the public and networking with other exhibiting artists.
• 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.
• Library and Craft Archives: The Council maintains the nation’s largest library collection of print and visual materials on American craft. Containing more than 6,400 books, 7,000 exhibition catalogs, 700 bound volumes of leading periodicals, a substantial collection of artist files and an accompanying database, the library is a significant repository for informational resources on craft.
• Awards: The Council presents several awards to recognize talent in the craft field:
o The Aileen Osborn Webb Awards: Honor individuals and organizations whose artistry and leadership have enriched the craft field in the United States.
o Awards of Excellence: Recognize outstanding design and craftsmanship by artists exhibiting in the annual American Craft Council shows.
o American Craft Council Fellow Program: The designation American Craft Council Fellow signifies an artist of outstanding ability; the designation American Craft Council Honorary Fellow signifies an individual who in other ways has made an important contribution to craft. The College of Fellows has been formed by peer election, with those elected required to have worked 25 years or more in the discipline/career in which he/she is being recognized.
About the American Craft Council
The American Craft Council's mission is to champion craft. As a national, nonprofit public educational organization founded in 1943 by Aileen Osborn Webb, the Council actively promotes the understanding and appreciation of contemporary American craft through its bimonthly magazine American Craft, annual juried shows presenting artists and their work, leadership conferences, awards for excellence, research library, workshops and seminars. For additional information visit www.craftcouncil.org.
# # #
Editors, please note - Interviews are available with:
• Lani Duke, Chair of the Board, American Craft Council
• Marlin Miller, Treasurer, Chair of Relocation Committee, American Craft Council
For interviews or more information, please contact Alicia Balkrishna at [email protected]/ 415-359-2316 or Bernadette Boyle at [email protected] /212-274-0630 x252.
Comments
November 5th, 2009
Welcome!
I'm guessing there may be a few people concerned about possible culture shock leaving NYC. As a person who loves to travel for arts and culture, Minneapolis has never left me wanting.
It seems impossible that so much creative comes from a community of this size. You will be pleasantly surprised. It's creative perpetual motion here.
Steve Basile
South Minneapolis
Posted By Steve Basile
December 1st, 2009
I am so thrilled that you will be here in my home town!
This year is the first year that I will be teaching my dream class: Craft Design. It took 3 years of proof to the school board that this class is a substantial curriculum, not just "Arts and Crafts".
When I started teaching art, I attended a Getty Workshop in California. I know Lani Duke wouldn't remember a young, impressionable woman who was teaching overseas in Korea, but she made a GREAT impact on me and influenced my teaching with DBAE.
I have served on the Education Boards of the MIA and Walker, and have worked on educational/digital materials with them. I have been the President of Art Educators of Minnesota and the Secondary Representative for the Western Region of the National Art Educators. If you have any need for education consulting I would be honored to help.
I look forward to working with you in the future.
Sincerely,
Pam Signorelli NBCT
Thomas Jefferson High School
Posted By Pamela Signorelli
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