The Project
We are craft artists, educators, and students.
As we engage with learning institutions and observe the greater crafts community, it becomes evident that we are often failing to facilitate robust, constructive, direct dialogue about social issues in our primary and higher education classrooms.
To fill this deficit and help facilitate these critical dialogues, we are working to compile a database of contemporary craft artists, educators, curators, writers, texts and other resources addressing challenging content such as race, class, privilege, gender, and sexuality.
As we engage with learning institutions and observe the greater crafts community, it becomes evident that we are often failing to facilitate robust, constructive, direct dialogue about social issues in our primary and higher education classrooms.
To fill this deficit and help facilitate these critical dialogues, we are working to compile a database of contemporary craft artists, educators, curators, writers, texts and other resources addressing challenging content such as race, class, privilege, gender, and sexuality.
Our GoalTo compile a comprehensive collection of resources for artists, educators, and students interested in craft as activism or social practice. Our hope is to advance student’s and educator’s abilities to promote critical thinking, open discourse, and encourage exposure to different and conflicting lines of thinking around divisive social topics in their classroom. |
Our hopes for the Future
With the help of members of the craft community, we hope to create new resources of our own to guide substantive social justice conversations in the classroom. These original resources will include lesson plans, virtual exhibitions, bibliographies, exhibition guides, essays, and opinion pieces. If you are interested in contributing a new resource or reviewing in-progress resources, see our contact forms below.
Why craft?
- Craft is inherently communal. Both in the act of learning and in the act of practicing.
- Craft tends to promote lifelong sharing of skillsets.
- Craft is unique as an art form because it originates from functional objects.
- Craft skills are universally accessible and can be used to investigate critical, conceptual ideas.
- Social engagement is often discussed within the larger arts community, but not focused on in craft.
- It allows us to narrow the scope of this project.
Want to Help?
Our project relies on input from members of the craft community like you. We are sourcing suggestions, opinions, writings, books, artists/educators, relevant projects and anything else you feel needs to be a part of this conversation.
Share an Existing Resource
Notice something missing from the database that you think needs to be included?
Contact us here to share a new resource with us: artists, artworks, projects, organizations, exhibitions, media, etc. |
Create a New Resource
Are you interested in creating a resource that you feel is missing?
Contact us here to tell us about your idea. Take advantage of our growing database to help guide your research. Creating a new resource can be a large undertaking, but can help to combat the deficit of substantive social justice conversations in our craft community. Whether you are a community organizer, scholar of craft, or student, we encourage you to contribute! |
Share an Experience
Do you have experience with craft education as a student, educator, or practicing artist?
Tell us about your experience with social justice in the craft classroom and what you think could be done better when creating work about social issues. |