Annual Report 2017 American Craft Council 1 Excellence, Equity, and Education The American Craft Council’s by a range of artists, craft work in 2017 centered on thinkers, historians, curators, investing in the future of craft. and essayists. Edited by ACC This goal is a natural one for the director of education Michael Council, as honoring the history Radyk and beautifully designed and present of the field has by Moon Jung Jang, the journal always gone hand in hand with presents essential thoughts shaping the time to come. from leaders in the field and fulfills ACC’s goal to advocate The world is changing, and for craft as a cultural resource. craft must change with it. This is a challenge, but also ACC is also becoming a leader an opportunity. To thrive, ACC among arts organizations in the Charles E. Duddingston must actively move forward, area of equity and inclusion. In Chair, Board of Trustees embracing the new, even as we June, the board approved an preserve the best of the old. equity statement proclaiming that “the Council will work to Through two of our award create opportunities for creative programs, we honored the people from all walks of life.” up-and-coming artists who will For its August/September come to be the field’s lifeblood. issue, American Craft magazine The 2017 Emerging Voices examined the access various Award winners and shortlist communities have to craft, artists represent the best of along with ways to improve the coming generation. The that access. At the end of the Rare Craft Fellowship Award, year, ACC began working with presented in association with Lynnea Atlas-Ingebretson of The Balvenie, maker of fine Imagine Deliver, who will lead Scotch whisky, recognizes staff in inclusion training over masters of time-honored the first few months of 2018. traditions, but those makers, too, are blazing new trails in The way forward for craft their areas of expertise. involves growing, welcoming, incorporating, and celebrating. 2017 also saw the debut of We are proud to work at those American Craft Inquiry, a journal tasks, and we thank you for dedicated to exploring craft your continued support of our ideas and issues. With two mission to champion craft! issues so far and two more on the way in 2018, the journal features long-form writing 2 American Craft Council 3 Celebrating Excellence We were delighted to honor so many talented makers from across the country this year through two of our awards programs. Rare Craft Fellowship Award in association Emerging Voices with The Balvenie Awards Each year, the ACC and The ACC’s biennial Emerging Voices Balvenie, a heritage whisky Awards recognize and support brand, team up to honor the next generation of makers craftspeople committed to the and thinkers in contemporary maintenance and revival of craft. This year we were pleased traditional or rare crafts in the to honor Jennifer Ling Datchuk United States. (San Antonio, Texas) as the Emerging Artist and Sarah This year’s finalists were Parrish (Boston) as the Emerging shoemaker Amara Hark-Weber Scholar. (St. Paul, Minnesota), furniture makers Abir Ali and Andre “Receiving the Rare Craft award has made a Also recognized were shortlist “Of all the strengths, what I appreciated the most is Sandifer of Ali Sandifer (Detroit), tremendous impact on my work as a shoemaker. artists Hannah Batsel (Chicago), when work I saw promoted inquisitive interaction fiber artist Janice Arnold I reinvested the monetary award back into my Ted Lott (Cooperstown, New and was executed in the most compelling way. I am (Olympia, Washington), Sandra shop to create a workspace that is among the York), Anna Mlasowsky (Seattle), excited to see how these artists and scholar move and Wence Martinez of Martinez best that I have worked in. The new machines and and Gerardo Monterrubio (Los forward with their work and continue to engage Studio (Jacksonport, Wisconsin), revamped hand tools will last the rest of my life Angeles). inspiring and critical dialogues.” and glass and installation artist as a shoemaker. Traveling to Scotland and London Emily Nachison (Portland, We published a limited-edition — Jiseon Lee Isbara, Emerging Voices juror Oregon). reaffirmed my commitment to craft by reminding print catalogue featuring the me of the beauty of the handmade and the many work of the nominees and “As an artist/craftsperson, I always critically examine The finalists were recognized in ways of being a craftsman and running a workshop. essays by Parrish. You can find new work both for design and for content. I look a ceremony in April in New York, The work itself is often difficult, but the life an interactive version of the to identify trends within the field, and to explore where Hark-Weber was named surrounding the work is infinitely inspiring, and catalogue online. why certain artists’ voices shine above the others. the 2017 Rare Craft Fellowship to be reminded of this was a gift that I will continue Our two winners, Jennifer Ling Datchuk and Sarah Award winner. She journeyed to unpack for a long time to come.” Parrish, did just that. Datchuk’s work takes porcelain to Scotland in the fall for her — Amara Hark-Weber and uses it as a decorative body adornment to Fellowship trip, which included address the internal struggles she wages every a stop at The Balvenie distillery day as a bicultural clay artist. Parrish, a scholar, as well as visits with other uses feminist-based historical research and visual shoemakers and craftspeople in the UK. documentation to provide a critical lens on the predominantly female-based field of textiles.” — Karen Hampton, Emerging Voices juror 4 American Craft Council 5 American Craft Equity and Inquiry Inclusion Launched in 2017, American The world is changing, and the Craft Inquiry is a new biannual United States is growing more publication of long-format diverse. This year, the ACC writing that’s timely, engaging, Board of Trustees decided, and analytical. Founded on after much research and the principle of collaboration – discussion, to demonstrate our with writers, curators, scholars, commitment to a future that and artists – Inquiry seeks to welcomes everyone. In June, the provide not only reaction, but Board unanimously approved also action, as it delves into this statement: topics relevant to a broad base of artists, craft thinkers, critics, The American Craft Council curators, historians, scholars, is committed to justice, and essayists. “American Craft Inquiry “American Craft Inquiry inclusiveness, and equity. is heeding the call is an exciting and Drawing on craft’s rich legacy Our first issue focused on for a richer context in necessary addition to of openness and its deep roots themes and discussions from which to think, read, the current renaissance in all cultures, the Council will The August/September 2017 issue of American Craft celebrated activists who ACC’s national conference work to create opportunities for are working to make craft more inclusive. To prepare for the issue and become and write about craft of craft scholarship. in Omaha. The second issue creative people from all walks more inclusive in all of our practices, the magazine team consulted for six in the United States. It Inquiry provides a months with Keith Woods, vice president for newsroom training and diversity at featured pieces on the evolution of life. National Public Radio. of the graphic design of Craft has the rigor, research, thought-provoking yet Horizons, the history of glass, and thoughtfulness accessible window into This statement is just the textile and ceramic artist Alice of a journal combined the minds of scholars, beginning. In the coming year, Kagawa Parrott, and more. with the fresh voice curators, and other it will be our touchstone as we of a magazine, with passionate observers make it an integral part of our “ACC’s work in this area is more important than ever. Issue three is under way. To writing that’s engaging of the craft movement, mission and all of our programs. There are too many issues today that drive people learn more about the journal and accessible to both past and present.” apart. The work of creative communities helps all of and how to subscribe, visit students, educators, us see what we have in common.” craftcouncil.org/journal. — Jennifer Zwilling, writer and curator artists, supporters, and of artistic programs, the Clay Studio — Stuart Kestenbaum, ACC Board Chair, 2015 – 2017 the craft-curious of all stripes.” — Sarah Archer, writer and curator 6 American Craft Council 7 Revenue/Expenses Your Support Matters FY2017 Operating Revenue The American Craft Council’s mission – “We champion craft” – informs every aspect of our work and drives every decision. From our award-winning magazine, American Craft, to our shows attended by tens of thousands of craft collectors and enthusiasts to our library and scholarly publication, ACC works $5.69 tirelessly to connect individuals and communities to craft. We couldn’t do this without the support and generosity of our 24,930 members and donors. These are just a few of the ways that your financial million support has sustained our work in 2017: Craft shows 50% 9% number of scholarships for students and emerging professionals to attend ACC’s national conference in Omaha Publishing and advertising 65 Membership 13% number of emerging artists who participate in the Hip Pop program Education programs and conference 120 Contributions and special events 1% number of copies of American Craft Inquiry donated to students and academic institutions Strategic investment and endowment draw 3% 24% 637 525 number of items added to the ACC Library FY2017 Operating Expenses number of people who participated in ACC’s education programs $5.69 7,400 million total value of transactions at the 2017 American Craft Shows – money that goes directly to artists 84% $12.5m Program expenses Fundraising 7% Management and general 9% The American Craft Council’s financial statements are audited annually by certified public accountants CliftonLarsonAllen.