American Craft Council Announces Relocation to Minneapolis

"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 renowned institutions as 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."

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 alicia@landispr.com / 415-359-2316 or Catherine Portman at catherine@landispr.com / 415-359-2306.

Landis Communications, Inc.
On behalf of the American Craft Council
Alicia Balkrishna, 415-359-2316
alicia@landispr.com
www.landispr.com
or
American Craft Council
Bernadette Boyle, 212-274-0630 ext. 252
bboyle@craftcouncil.org