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For Immediate Release                                                          CONTACT:     Sarah Lapshan
Jan 23, 2007                                                                                                   (517) 241-1736

Department of History, Arts and Libraries and MSU Museum
Craft a New Economic Strategy for Michigan

It’s time to cast a fresh eye on Michigan's crafts industry – from quilters and rug weavers to boat builders and stained-glass makers – an untapped Michigan resource with the potential to pump millions of dollars into Michigan's economy and draw thousands of tourists to the state, according to a report released today by the Michigan Department of History, Arts and Libraries (HAL) and Michigan State University Museum.

“CraftWORKS!Michigan: A Report on Traditional Crafts and Economic Development in Michigan” lays the strategy for creatively packaging Michigan’s crafts industry in ways that will:

·   boost a region’s appeal by collectively leveraging its unique heritage, personality and crafting businesses; and
·   offer a new and appealing tourism product by providing another opportunity for a
“pure Michigan” visitor experience. 

The report is available online at www.craftworksmichigan.org.

“The ‘CraftWORKS!’ research and report have really opened our eyes to the potential power of a strategically planned and managed craft industry for Michigan,” said Dr. William Anderson, director of the Department of History, Arts and Libraries.

“We’ve seen it work in other states, as with North Carolina’s ‘HandMade in America,’ an initiative that has realized as much as a $120 million economic impact from the crafts sector,”
Dr. Anderson noted.  “With thousands of crafters and artisans making uniquely Michigan products – Michigan can enjoy those same entrepreneurial and economic rewards.”

Nationwide, the craft industry had a $13.8 billion annual economic impact – about half the size of the U.S. toy industry and only slightly smaller than the retail floral market – as reported by the Craft Organization Development Association in 2001. 

In Michigan, arts and cultural activities already generate nearly $2 billion dollars a year, according to the recent W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research report, “Economic Benefits of Michigan's Arts and Cultural Activities.” 

The craft sector includes gatherers and producers of craft supplies, home-based cottage industries, craft tool production businesses, large-scale craft supply and craft retail operations, craft galleries, craft schools and institutes, on-line craft businesses, craft fairs and festivals, county fair exhibitions, craft-based tours and events and craft exhibitions.  Craft fairs, festivals, and exhibitions in museums and galleries provide not only sales opportunities but also serve as a cultural destination for tourists and often as a nucleus for a variety of craft-based educational activities.

The CraftWORKS! report was authored by a team at the MSU Museum, home to the Michigan Traditional Arts Program, the state's center for researching, documenting, preserving and sharing the traditional arts.

“Craft and design in Michigan have a strong and long-standing presence that is shaped by the richness of our natural resources, the diversity of our people, and the way we work and live,” explained Dr. Marsha MacDowell, MSU Museum curator of folk arts and one of the report's lead authors.  “More and more regions in the country are recognizing the relationship among craft production, cultural heritage, and community economic prosperity.”

Dr. Anderson said that with key information about the traditional craft sector as well as culture-based tourism trails, the CraftWORKS! report outlines a series of recommendations about next steps that can be taken to grow the state’s economy, as well as examples of successful approaches to linking craft and economy from around the country and the world.

The cultural tourism component of CraftWORKS!Michigan has developed into a separate but related initiative called Destination Culture: Michigan, a Web site now under construction.  Designed to draw visitors from near and far to Michigan to enjoy the state’s rich cultural resources, the site is being designed as an online resource center that will feature searchable databases of Michigan's cultural assets; downloadable, self-designed cultural heritage tours and links to other online Michigan travel and heritage resources; user-generated content; advanced technology such as GIS mapping and the capacity to create individualized “My Michigan” spaces.

This CraftWORKS!Michigan report was funded by the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs and Michigan State University Museum.. CraftWORKS!Michigan is an initiative of HAL's Office of Cultural Economic Development (CED), which aims to leverage Michigan's creative talent and cultural assets to spur economic growth and community prosperity. To learn more about CED, visit www.michigan.gov/ced.

The Department of History, Arts and Libraries (HAL) is dedicated to enriching quality of life and strengthening the economy by providing access to information, preserving and promoting Michigan's heritage and fostering cultural creativity.  The department includes the Library of Michigan, the Mackinac Island State Park Commission, the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs, the Michigan Film Office and the Michigan Historical Center.  For more information, visit www.michigan.gov/hal.

The Michigan State University Museum is Michigan's natural history and culture museum and the state's first Smithsonian Institution affiliate.  The MSU Museum is committed to understanding, interpreting and respecting natural and cultural diversity.  As Michigan's land grant university museum, this commitment to society is met through education, exhibitions, research and the building and stewardship of collections that focus on Michigan and its relationship to the Great Lakes and the world beyond.  For more information, see http://museum.msu.edu.

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                        posted December 2006

Life Becomes Art: Craft in America Celebrates
the Rich Legacy of An American Artform

Landmark project comprises 3-part PBS series, national
touring exhibition and major publication.

Craftsman and longtime craft advocate President Jimmy Carter
contributes to unprecedented project

CRAFT IN AMERICA
PBS Television Series: Airing on April 29th
Check local listings for details

LOS ANGELES, November 29, 2006 – A visitor to an art-filled home may quickly take note of paintings or photographs on the walls, but may overlook the finely wrought furniture, ceramics, glassware or fabrics, though the skill and artistry involved in creating these useful and often stunning objects has been quietly recognized for centuries. CRAFT IN AMERICA celebrates these works of art and recognizes them as important pieces of history linking us to the very soul and essence of American culture. Comprising a three-part PBS television series airing in April 2007, a nationally-touring museum exhibition, a lavishly illustrated book and the most comprehensive Web site of its kind, CRAFT IN AMERICA is poised to become a national phenomenon.

CRAFT IN AMERICA is a multi-faceted journey into the origin and continuation of craft traditions. The project illustrates the craftsmanship passed from artist to artist over the last two centuries—and highlights the cultural significance of this craftsmanship. Ceramics, glass, wood, furniture, metalwork, jewelry, fiber and baskets are included in this ground-breaking project.

“There is an extraordinary wealth of objects that mean so much to who we are as a nation, part of our living heritage, that are often hiding in plain sight,” explains Carol Sauvion, executive director of CRAFT IN AMERICA. “Everything from the iconic Revere bowl, to a free-form Sam Maloof rocking chair, to a quilt that’s been passed down in your family from generation to generation.”

Craft In America Three Part PBS Television Series Airing April 29, 2007

The project comes to millions of PBS viewers in April 2007 with the premiere of a three-part high-definition series on PBS beginning Sunday, April 29 and continuing with one-hour episodes on May 6 and May 13th. Please check local listings for air times.

“In each of the three episodes – Memory, Landscape, and Community – we meet artists and their work in a way that goes beyond the media they work in. We explore the relationship between what they do, how they do it, and why they have chosen a life of creating great and moving art for all to enjoy and appreciate.”

Some of the series’ featured artists include Mary Jackson – a basket weaver who continues a South Carolina tradition that started with slaves from Africa; Richard Notkin – a Montana potter of protest who makes teapots and tiles that argue eloquently for peace and humanity; and Tom Joyce, a New Mexico blacksmith and recipient of a MacArthur “Genius” fellowship, who instills a sensitivity to the land and its people in each of his works.

Experience Craft in America: Nationally Traveling Museum Exhibition

An extensive museum exhibition, Craft in America: Expanding Traditions, begins its seven-city, two-year tour at the Arkansas Arts Center in Little Rock on April 13, 2007. The exhibition then travels to Portland, OR; San Diego, CA; Houston, TX; Bloomfield Hills, MI; Oklahoma City, OK; and Palm Springs, CA (with additional dates and cities pending).
This landmark historical survey features more than 200 works, spanning a period of nearly two hundred years. Beginning with the Industrial Revolution, the exhibition explores the many cultures and movements that have contributed to the development and refinement of American crafts during the last two centuries. Integrating the various media of handcrafted furniture, ceramics, fiber and textiles, basketry, glass, wood, jewelry and metal, the exhibition represents a broad base of craft-makers including: traditional artisans, designer craftsmen of the Arts & Crafts Movement, the artists of the WPA programs of the 30s, post World-War II studio craft pioneers and contemporary studio craft artists.
The exhibition is developed around the same three themes highlighted in the PBS production: Memory, Landscape and Community.


Reading Craft: Craft in America Book Hits Shelves in May 2007 with
Prologue by President Carter


President Jimmy Carter, a long time craftsman and craft advocate, contributed the prologue to the companion book, Craft in America: Celebrating Two Centuries of Artists & Objects. Published by Random House imprint Clarkson-Potter, this lavishly illustrated book features more than 300 images and showcases some of the greatest works of craft of the last two centuries. The publication explores what makes craftwork in America uniquely American while highlighting the objects created by America’s most original and esteemed craftspeople.

With an eye to the contribution craft has made to America’s vitality, history and identity, Craft in America: Celebrating Two Centuries of Artists & Objects examines: craft as communicator, the evolution of American craft, communities of craft (Shakers, Amish & native movements), and more.

In the prologue to the book, President Jimmy Carter says, “While president, I always had in my mind the desire to somehow recognize the skill and singularly American style that was present in craft objects. I was fortunate that Joan Mondale, wife of my vice president, Walter Mondale, shared my love and interest in the handmade expressions of our native artists. In no other place in the world will you find the unbridled creativity exhibited by the tens of thousands of craft artists who make craft a unique part of the American experience.”

Online Craft Source: www.craftinamerica.org

The project’s Web site, www.craftinamerica.org, is an online vortex that brings together all elements of this ambitious project. “CraftinAmerica.org will be an unparalleled resource,” says CRAFT IN AMERICA Executive Director Carol Sauvion. “If the public wants to learn more about well-known artists or discover those making creative break-throughs, it’s there. Plus histories, tools, and techniques – and ways to start learning a craft yourself.” The extensive Web site also will provide middle and secondary school teachers and students plans and activities to continue their journey.

CRAFT IN AMERICA will enlighten, and satisfy the curiosity of all who have looked at a bowl, a necklace, a chair – and wondered how it came to be, and turned out the way it did. As Sauvion says, “Art is history; craft is our story.”

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CRAFT IN AMERICA, Inc. is a Los Angeles-based non-profit organization with a mission to promote and advance original handcrafted work, through educational programs in all media. The CRAFT IN AMERICA multi-faceted project includes a PBS documentary, traveling museum exhibition and illustrated book. For additional information on CRAFT IN AMERICA the public should visit www.craftinamerica.org

Media Contacts: Bo Smith / Agnes Gomes-Koizumi
Arts Communications Group
323-851-7629 - bo@artscommunications.com / agnes@artscommunications.com
 

NEW INFORMATION RESOURCES: THE CREATIVE INDUSTRIES FOR ALL 7,400 STATE LEGISLATIVE DISTRICTS
www.AmericansForTheArts.org/CreativeIndustries/StateLegislativeDistricts 
Do you know how many arts-related businesses are located in your state legislative district? We have the answer, and so can you. Visit the website above to download the Creative Industries State Legislative District Reports. Each three-page report contains a color map of the district, a table listing the number of Creative Industries businesses and employees in the district, and a table summarizing the percentage of change from 2004 to 2006 in Creative Industries businesses and employees. The reports are available seven days a week, 24 hours a day, and are free of charge. For more information, contact Research Coordinator Eulynn Shiu at eshiu@artsusa.org or 202.371.2830

TAKING ORDERS NOW: 2006 CREATIVE INDUSTRIES REPORTS
www.AmericansForTheArts.org/CreativeIndustries 
The latest data shows there are 547,600 arts businesses in the United States that employ 2.8 million people. Do you know how many of them are in your community? We can tell you how many are located in your county, city, or even multicounty/city service area. Order your customized 2006 Creative Industries reports and get compelling evidence of the creative industries in your community. Our Creative Industries reports display each arts-centric business on a color map of your community. The reports come with a complete suite of advocacy tools designed to help you communicate findings to arts advocates and decision-makers. Prices start at $25 for a single standard report, and you don't pay anything until the reports are delivered. For prices and more information, contact Research Coordinator Eulynn Shiu at eshiu@artsusa.org or 202.371.2830.
 

posted September 25, 2006

AMERICAN CRAFT RETAILERS EXPO^® (ACRE):
Offers Free Booths to Select Nonprofit Craft Organizations

Since Wholesalecrafts.com announced their plans to produce a national wholesale show of its own, the American Craft Retailers Expo^® (ACRE), May 2-4, 2007, Las Vegas, has been the talk of the crafts community!  Now, ACRE reaches out to American and Canadian nonprofit craft organizations by offering a limited number of free 10 x 10 booths to show the work of your exemplary craft artisan members who wholesale, under the banner of your guild or association.

Each 10’ x 10’ booth comes equipped with 500 watts of electricity, booth carpet, booth sign, first night cleaning, stool, unlimited drayage, web link and logo on Wholesalecrafts.com and ACRElasvegas.com websites, directory listing, and free WiFi access. Accepted organizations will be placed on the main show floor.   Imagine displaying all your organization has to offer via your laptop and website, while writing wholesale orders for your members.  This offer can easily work with your existing wholesale educational programs.  In addition, we will mail a postcard, with your logo, to your list of craft retailers announcing your attendance at the show.

Please contact me directly, no later than November 1, to begin discussing how ACRE 2007 and your craft organization can work together.  I look forward to hearing from you.  

At your Service!
Mary Strope, Vice President
www.wholesalecrafts.com
www.ACRElasvegas.com
888.427.2381 x 107
Mary@wholesalecrafts.com

posted 9-6-06

JURIED ART SERVICES

JAS (www.juriedartservices.com) created Digital Jurying in 1999 and began a rigorous 4 year development process in cooperation with the Smithsonian Craft Show, “the Nation’s Most Prestigious Juried Exhibition and Sale of American Craft”.  The mandate was to engineer the most efficient and user friendly system for managing the Application, Jurying and Notification process for art competitions.  The foremost  juried venues have chosen JAS. These shows include the Smithsonian Craft Show, American Craft Exposition, GRACE Northern Virginia Fine Arts Festival (“The Top Fine Art Show on the East Coast” Art Fair Sourcebook 2006”) , Rittenhouse Square, Industrial Design Society of America, Crafts America Shows, the International e-merge Competition, Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show, Palm Beach International Sculpture Biennale and others.  

Every organization has its own unique identity and standards so JAS creates the system that exactly fits their requirements. As a full service organization, JAS consults with each venue and custom tailors the process to meet all their needs. This has been proven to reduce the organizations work load, manage all the information very efficiently and provide other significant cost saving and performance enhancements.

Our program handles all the jurying services and the online application features with perfect record keeping. Since creating the world’s first and most sophisticated digital art jurying system, thousands and thousands of artists have made their applications online and their initial resistance has given way to the ease, clarity and inevitability of online applications. Applicants submit their applications and application fees completely online, uploading their images and entering all their information in our easy to use application system and online portfolio. Because the artists can see their images exactly as the jurors see them, they have a greater degree of control over the quality of their presentation. 

It is a very important feature that the jurors now see the entire description including statement, material, technique and dimensions. The program allows for detailed image and information reviewing. The voting system can perform a faster, completely documented process that is self paced, thus commanding a much higher quality of attention and finer decision making from the juror.  The Jurors perform their duties much more quickly and efficiently with perfect record keeping.  The service can eliminate the need for all of the jurors to be in the same place at the same time, creating the opportunity for more prestigious jurors to be able to participate from remote locations  

You are notified when applicants apply and you have complete access to monitor all activity. You will confirm the applications maintaining control of duplicate applications or inappropriate submissions. Savings of time & money is also realized from the electronic Call to Artists, Deadline Notifications, Payment processing and reminders, Winner and Wait List notifications. Because the images are digital and high quality, the publication and printing costs are reduced.

 For more information and to schedule a demonstration of the services provided, please contact Juried Art Services at 561 832-0480. Paul Fisher, the President of JAS will respond directly to you. You can reach him at paul@jurying.net .

posted: 8-24, 2006

Acclaimed Furniture Maker and Architect to Lead America’s Premier Trade School

Boston, MA (August 11, 2006) North Bennet Sreet School announces Miguel Gomez-Ibanez as its next Executive Director. A graduate of its famed Cabinet and Furniture Making program in 1999, his furniture is widely held in prominent collections, including a gallery bench created for Boston’s Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. Burton M. Harris, NBSS Board president, says:

“Miguel brings great leadership skills to the school, coupled with a deep understanding of excellent craftsmanship and the importance of educating the nation’s future masters in the trades we teach. This is also the first time one of our own graduates has been elected to serve as Executive Director. Everyone at the school is excited for the future.”

As a furniture maker, his work is known for its traditional design while incorporating artistic flair, as seen in Escritorio, a writing desk created with painter Joseph Reed. Open the doors, inlaid with a pattern of burl veneer and mother of pearl inspired by a 17th century formal garden, and discover a series of twenty six drawers, each displaying a miniature oil painting depicting a letter of the alphabet and a corresponding flower, from “Apple” to “Zephyr Lilly”. (Photos of Miguel Gomez-Ibanez attached and Escritorio are attached.)

As an architect for sixteen years, he was president of MIGA Architects, a Boston firm specializing in historic preservation and new buildings for educational institutions. He has also served as a Warden of King’s Chapel, Boston, MA and on the Collections Committee of the Fuller Craft Museum in Brockton, MA.

He was unanimously elected by the Board after a six-month nationwide search was conducted by a Board-appointed search committee, comprised of faculty, staff, Board and alumni members. “The final interview process, as well as the search process gave input to every constituency of the school and an opportunity to play a role”, adds Harris.

Founded in Boston’s North End in 1885, NBSS is internationally renowned for excellence in teaching traditional hand skills. Full-time programs include Bookbinding, Carpentry, Cabinet and Furniture Making, Jewelry Making and Repair, Locksmithing, Piano Technology, Preservation Carpentry, and Violin Making and Restoration. Workshops are also offered. For more details about the school, visit www.nbss.org.