Craft and the Creative Industries

Craft is a creative practice in which artists skillfully shape material using methods and tools that lead to innovation. The creative industries focus on the invention, exchange, and profitability of artistic products. Together, they contribute to a society’s economic sustainability and wellbeing.

Center for Craft Studies

The VisArts Center for Craft Studies offers myriad opportunities for students to engage in craft and the creative industries. It’s guided by a Craft Advisory Council, whose members are highly respected craft artists, gallery directors, curators, professors, teachers, advocates, and collectors. Courses are taught by professional craft artists and experienced faculty.

Craft Media and Craft Industries Classes

The cornerstone of the Center is a comprehensive set of classes – open to everyone – that explore craft media  and craft industries  and provide pathways for craft artists to enter the creative economy. These include:

• Introduction to Craft Studies
• Craft Studio Practice in Clay, Glass, Paper Crafts, and Book Arts
• History of Craft Media and Contemporary Practice
• Professional Practices for Craft Artists
• Business Practices for Craft Artists
• Marketing Practices for Craft Artists
• Field Trips to View Craft Art

Advanced Craft Studies Programs

The Center also offers advanced Craft Studies programs that are designed to help students develop their individual artistic direction through studio practice, introduce them to varied craft media practices and collections, and provide them with opportunities to teach while being mentored by experienced faculty. These include:

• Ceramics Artist Residency
• Master Class Workshops*
• Contemporary Craft Lecture Series
• Emerging Craft Teacher Program

*Master Class Workshops are an exciting series of cutting-edge workshops presented by renowned local, regional, and national craft media artists. Each workshop includes a lecture and a demonstration of the artist’s unique practices. The workshops will be archived for future viewing.

Certificate of Mastery in Crafts and Creative Industries

While the Center’s classes are open to everyone, aspiring craft media artists who complete 10 Craft Studies classes of their choice, and the required Capstone course, may earn a Certificate of Mastery in Crafts and Creative Industries. Graduates of the Certificate Program will be prepared for careers in craft and creative industries as studio artists, teachers, curators, arts administrators, business owners or managers, and more.

Questions? Contact Lisa Gallant, Education Director or Robert Devers, Center for Craft Studies Coordinator.