Craft Alliance Center of Art + Design is an arts education center and 501 non-profit located in St. Louis, Missouri, USA. Founded in 1964, the organization's stated mission is to "enrich and empower communities through craft."
History
Craft Alliance was founded in 1964 as a cooperative gallery, operated by regional craft-based artists in the city of St. Louis. By 1966, Craft Alliance was offering visual arts classes to the community and presenting exhibitions of contemporary craft in the gallery. In 1969 Craft Alliance moved to its present location at the western end of the Delmar Loop in University City — at that time an economically depressed street on the border between St. Louis City and St. Louis County. By 2007, The American Planning Association had designated the Delmar Loop as one of "10 Great Streets in America" through its Great Placesin America program because of "the sustained efforts of local business, government and the community to achieve successful physical and economic revitalization." Also in 2007, Craft Alliance's Board of Directors elected to open a satellite facility in Grand Center, the arts and entertainment district of St. Louis city. Located in the Kranzberg Building, Craft Alliance at Grand Center now complements Craft Alliance's University City facility by offering community outreach programs to St. Louis City children and teens, and educational courses for the public in clay, metals, graphics and textiles.
Overview
Nationally recognized as one of the premier craft organizations in the country alongside schools like Penland, Arrowmont and Lillstreet, Craft Alliance is dedicated to the study of traditional craft mediums within contemporary contexts. Craft Alliance offers annual exhibition programming with a focus on contemporary craft; classes and workshops in ceramic art, metal-smithing, fibers, 3D fabrication, graphics, and woodturning; artist residencies, free community programs for area families and local schools; and a gallery shop. With an annual operating budget of $1.8 million, Craft Alliance serves more than 50,000 people every year.
Notable figures
A number of notable artists have taught, studied, or exhibited work at Craft Alliance throughout the past 50 years.
