Crafting the Future

05/27/2026

We're bringing back our DIY fundraiser — and we want YOU to be part of it!

Submit a piece of your work for a chance to have it won by a supporter who loves it, while 100% of proceeds fund scholarships to unlock creative opportunities for artists of color.

Dates to know:
→ Submit your artwork (new or existing with estimated value of $50-$1k) by June 26
→ Fundraiser launches July 7

Know an artist who should be part of this? Tag them or pass it along. The more voices, the more impact.

Donate your artwork today to fund a dream tomorrow: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfj3WaKyjWdUaTpl7ztAs7O26klXGejS-PUi4xCHeTgWBj3DQ/viewform?blm_aid=3433507

05/26/2026

CHARLOTTE, NC: We are seeking creative vendors for our Better Together event series on Sept. 19, 2026. Deadline to apply is June 26, 2026.

Application: https://craftingthefuture.slideroom.com/ #/login/program/89035

More details ⬇️

Calling all creative entrepreneurs!

We're bringing Better Together to Charlotte, NC — and we want YOU there!

Join us September 19, 2026 (12–5pm) for a celebration of artists of color featuring:
- Pop-up markets
- Live performances
- Technical demos & workshops

This year, we're thrilled to be partnering with dupp&swat and The Mint Museum to make this our best event yet!

Are you a creative entrepreneur ready to showcase and sell your work? Apply now at https://craftingthefuture.slideroom.com/ #/login/program/89035

Application Deadline: June 26, 2026
Application Fee: $5.00

05/14/2026

Calling all creative entrepreneurs!

We're bringing Better Together to Charlotte, NC — and we want YOU there!

Join us September 19, 2026 (12–5pm) for a celebration of artists of color featuring:
- Pop-up markets
- Live performances
- Technical demos & workshops

This year, we're thrilled to be partnering with dupp&swat and The Mint Museum to make this our best event yet!

Are you a creative entrepreneur ready to showcase and sell your work? Apply now at https://craftingthefuture.slideroom.com/ #/login/program/89035

Application Deadline: June 26, 2026
Application Fee: $5.00

04/28/2026

04/28/2026

This past weekend, residents of Crafting the Future's LA Residency program took a trip to the Getty in Los Angeles!

The group immersed themselves in Photography and the Black Arts Movement, 1955–1985, a powerful collection that traces the intersection of art, identity, and activism during one of the most transformative eras in American history.

Moments like these are exactly what the residency is about — stepping outside the studio to connect with the stories, struggles, and creativity that came before us, and letting that history shape the work we make today.

04/23/2026

ICYMI: Our 2025 Impact Report is live — and worth the wait.

Last year, we sharpened our mission, expanded our team, and deepened our roots across scholarships, grants, networking events, and residencies — all in service of one north star: a future free from systemic barriers for artists of color.

2026 is our activation year. We’re ready and off and running!

View the report (link in bio)

04/23/2026

ICYMI: Our 2025 Impact Report is live — and worth the wait.

Last year, we sharpened our mission, expanded our team, and deepened our roots across scholarships, grants, networking events, and residencies — all in service of one north star: a future free from systemic barriers for artists of color.

2026 is our activation year. We're ready.

View the report: https://craftingthefuture.org/2025-impact-report

04/16/2026

Call for artist participation: National Craft Open Studios Weekend 2026!

The American Craft Council invites artists to participate in National Craft Open Studios Weekend, taking place July 18-19, 2026. This two-day, nationwide celebration invites the public into the creative spaces of craft artists across the country, offering guests a rare glimpse into the processes, tools, and inspiration that shape how handmade works are made.

Artists of all mediums, studio size, and location are encouraged to participate. Artists can register now through April 30th. Learn more and sign-up at craftcouncil.org/events/national-craft-open-studios-weekend/

03/31/2026

We're excited to share we've refreshed our website with a new look to better reflect our mission, vision, values, and the community of artists of color we serve.

Check it out! 👀 craftingthefuture.org

03/18/2026

Time is RUNNING OUT to apply to the Crafting the Future residency program in downtown LA!

See below for details and apply before April 5 at https://craftingthefuture.org/our-approach/la-residency-application/

Know a LA-based artist of color who might be interested? Tag them in the comments ⬇️

Your studio. Your year. Downtown LA.

Applications are NOW OPEN for the Crafting the Future LA Residency — and we're looking for two visual artists of color ready to take their practice to the next level.

Here's what you'll get:
⦿ Free studio space for a full year in Downtown LA
⦿ Stipend support
⦿ Mentorship & peer critiques
⦿ Studio visits with curators & gallerists
⦿ All-expense-paid craft workshop intensive

This is more than studio space — it's a full year invested in YOU and your creative future.

Apply by April 5: https://craftingthefuture.org/our-approach/la-residency-application/ and tag an artist below who you think is perfect for this opportunity

Photo: LA artist Adrienne Muse