Coming Changes
The American Craft Council has announced plans to relocate from New York City to Minneapolis by July 2010. Citing the high cost of doing business in Manhattan and the vibrancy of the Twin Cities craft community, Leilani Lattin Duke, board chair, said, “The move ensures that the Council can achieve its mission of championing contemporary American craft throughout the U.S. while effectively managing operational costs.”

Andrew Glasgow, who joined ACC in October 2007, resigned as executive director effective Nov. 1 for health reasons. Duke acknowledged Glasgow’s contributions to the organization. The Council has begun a national search for a new director. Helene Blieberg remains interim executive director.

Education
In October 2009, ACC gathered over 315 attendees in Minneapolis for three days of engaging presentations, lively debate, tours and in-depth consideration of the future of craft. Organized by Monica Hampton, ACC’s education director, the conference, “Creating a New Craft Culture,” focused on the handmade in a shifting marketplace. Keynoter Richard Sennett, professor and author of The Craftsman, prepped the crowd for the panels, which included examinations of new models for the marketplace as well as the DIY community. A book of transcripts is in preparation. Podcasts, photos and overviews of presentations are available online.

The first in a series of “Making, Meaning and the Marketplace” symposiums took place on Nov. 6 in Savannah, where over 150 people attended a program on methods of production and collaboration in craft. The event was presented by ACC in partnership with the Savannah College of Art and Design and funded through the Windgate Charitable Trust. The work of 12 SCAD students, featured in “Currency of Craft,” a concurrent show at the college, will be on view at the Council’s Baltimore Show, Feb. 23-28. The works of Nicole Schlesinger and Jamie Galloway were awarded Best of Show and Honorable Mention, respectively. The next programs will be at the Rhode Island School of Design and the University of Minnesota.

American Craft Council E-Newsletter
ACC offers a free monthly e-newsletter with updates on the shows, workshops, seminars and events. To receive all the news, send your e-address to Anne Henry at [email protected].