Program areas at Contemporary Crafts
Contemporary Craft is one of The few arts organizations in The region whose core program - its exhibitions of work by top national and international Contemporary artists - is free to The public. Since Contemporary Craft does not charge admission, every visitor who walks through The door, including audiences for whom fees may be a barrier to their attendance and/or participation, has The opportunity to directly interact with and experience high-quality Contemporary Art. Each year, Contemporary Craft produces 3 exhibitions at its main gallery; 3-4 small scale exhibitions in its gerri kay exhibition cases; and 1-4 traveling exhibitions at any given time. Many items in The galleries are available for sale.
Contemporary Craft's distinctive retail space, The store, represents The work of top regional, national and international artists. Proceeds from The store help support free exhibition, education and outreach programs, as well as The participating artists. The store is also designed to be an extension of The gallery, often showing larger, more commercial bodies of work by artists featured in The current exhibition, and always focused on educating visitors about artists and their creative processes.
Contemporary Craft's education studio has three large studios that offer classes and workshops taught by national, regional and local artists, along with a free drop in studio where visitors can make Art at any time to take home with them. A vibrant nationally based arts program, fully integrated into The exhibitions program, is central to Contemporary Craft's definition of artistic and cultural quality as well as to its ability to successfully carry out its mission and build future audiences. in addition to regular education programs, Contemporary Craft engages community partners and hosts various public programs that are available to individual members or community organizations who may not have access to quality arts programming.