Author: National Endowment for the Arts, Research Division

Publication Year: 1980

Media Type: Book

Summary:

This report uses data collected in a nation-wide survey of craft organizations with a double purpose: to obtain key information for selecting a sample of individual craft artists belonging to organizations as well as to provide a reliable picture of the range of craft membership organizations and their role in the craft world. The survey was completed in 1978 with responses from almost 950 organizations, or close to 80 percent of the total. This report describes what has been learned about craft membership organizations.

Abstract:

This report uses data collected in a nation-wide survey of craft organizations with a double purpose: to obtain key information for selecting a sample of individual craft artists belonging to organizations as well as to provide a reliable picture of the range of craft membership organizations and their role in the craft world. The survey was completed in 1978 with responses from almost 950 organizations, or close to 80 percent of the total. This report describes what has been learned about craft membership organizations.

As a result of the survey a broad-brush portrait of craft membership organizations in the emerges. The typical (median) craft membership organization has been in existence for about 10 years and has about 90 members who come from the local area and are accepted without prior screening of their work. Not all of its members work in the same medium, but the majority work with clay and fiber. It is involved in craft exhibits, sales, and workshops - all open to the general public - and social functions for members. It is a nonprofit corporation that owns or rents facilities and has an annual budget of about $3,500 - with income largely from membership dues and proceeds of sales. It perceives few problems, but if it had to pinpoint a particular need, would ask for additional funding and more display and storage space.

This profile reflects the central tendencies in the survey data, but of course it is also true that craft membership organizations are represented in the full range of each variable. There are some large organizations, some offer courses as well as workshops, some require jurying of work for all members, and some perceive numerous problems. The definition of typical shifts considerably in terms of location and medium. (p. 7)

CONTENTS
Preface.
List of tables.
List of figures.
Introduction.
Summary.
Methodology.

Chapter 1. Membership. 
                Location. 
                Craft media of members. 
                Membership size. 
                Members' professionalism.

Chapter 2. Organizational characteristics. 
                Corporate status. 
                Staff and facilities. 
                Funding sources and expenditure levels. 
                Problems.

Chapter 3. Developmental and environmental characteristics. 
                Longevity. 
                Geographic focus. 
                Congruence of purpose and activities.

Chapter 4. Review by medium and region.

Appendix A. Calculation of organized craft artists by medium.
Appendix B. Regions and divisions of the country as defined by U.S. Census Bureau.

Arts & Intersections:

Categories: Artists-Resources for