The Society of Arts and Crafts Artist Awards

Application Deadline: November 9, 2009
The Society of Arts and Crafts Artist Awards incorporates recognition of craft artists through awards and exhibitions.

The SAC Artist Awards recognizes emerging and mid-career artists living in New England. The intent and criteria of the SAC Artist Awards is to encourage and support New England artists who show a mastery of their craft media and create original and innovative work. Since its inception in 1994, this has been one of the only New England sources for grants given directly to craft artists. In addition to the cash awards, SAC provides an exhibition of the artists' work.

For more information on The SAC Artist Awards, please contact Fabio Fernández at exhibitiongallery@societyofcrafts.org

The SAC Mentor Program

The SAC Mentor Program, launched in 2005, offers assistance and training for emerging artists in marketing, legal and insurance issues, portfolio development, pricing, selling, and booth design. Central to the program is a multi-year association with CRAFTBOSTON.

Recognized for its innovative approach, the Mentor Program combines SAC’s resources with those of CRAFTBOSTON. Artists selected to participate in this program will be provided information and training from professionals in the field and subsidized booths at CRAFTBOSTON.

“SAC is always looking for new and creative ways to build on its mission of supporting craft artists and educating and promoting public appreciation of contemporary craft,” said Beth Ann Gerstein, Executive Director, The Society of Arts and Crafts. The SAC Mentor Program builds on the show’s solid educational program, which includes an educational lecture series, tours for guests who are blind and visually impaired and other special interest groups, a craft bookseller, and informational booths promoting non-profit craft organizations.

Mentor Selection Process

CRAFTBOSTON 2010 will feature 200 exhibitors. Artists interested in the SAC Mentor Program must fill out the application and submit 10 digital images, resume, live in New England (Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont). See application for additional requirements. CRAFTBOSTON features artists who show an excellence in craft. Before applying, please make sure you and your work meet the following criteria:

• Artists in the Mentor Program must not be out of a degree program for more than 5 years
• All work must be original and made by hand or with the use of appropriate tools. CRAFTBOSTON encourages one-of-a-kind and limited-edition work.
• No commercial reproductions of any kind are allowed.
• Artists accepted for participation must be in attendance at their booth during the entire show. No agent, dealers, or representatives may attend in place of the artist.
• Collaborating artists are permitted, however, any representation other than a true, hands-on artistic collaboration is not permitted.
• Artists may only show work in categories selected by the jury. All work exhibited must be of the same body, quality, category of work that was juried through slides.

The Society of Arts and Crafts invites artists to apply for participation in the following media categories: baskets; ceramics; fiber decorative; fiber wearable; furniture; glass; jewelry; leather; metal; mixed media; paper; and wood. Categories not included: calligraphy, painting, photography, lithography, etc., except when incorporated into an otherwise acceptable craft category.

For additional information about the SAC Mentor Program please email show@craftboston.org

The SAC Mentor Program deadlines

Stage 1: Applications will be reviewed as they are received through December 31, 2009
Stage 2: October 1, 2009
Stage 3: October 1, 2009

Exhibition Program

SAC's exhibition program objective is to show artist craft work that meets the highest standards of creativity, originality and excellence in execution and design. To support this objective, exhibitions are created to include: the work of national and international artists at all career levels; functional and/or sculptural work in all craft media; work not frequently exhibited in New England; and work that challenges existing form and content. All exhibitions are free and open to the public. SAC also provides staff-led tours for students and adults.

Retail Program

SAC's Retail Gallery program objective is to provide an outlet for craft artists to sell their work. All work in the gallery is selected through a jury process and sold on consignment. The retail gallery represents over 300 artists from throughout the country. The retail gallery supports the SAC Window Program: a monthly mini exhibit in the retial gallery window featuring the work of a different artist or small group of artists.

John D. Mineck Furniture Fellowship 

The John D. Mineck Foundation was created in 2007 to award charitable and educational gifts reflecting John’s interests and values. John’s skills as a fine furniture maker were a result of passion, dedication and the guidance of a well known furniture artist. Without that guidance, John would not have realized his capabilities. In an effort to support the art that John loved and the people who make it, the John D. Mineck Foundation has created a fellowship to encourage and support a young in career furniture artist with the financial assistance to help them succeed in their journey. The fellowship has been designed to help support a talented furniture artist looking to fulfill an apprenticeship, develop their own skills, and/or make the transition to independence.

FELLOWSHIP AMOUNT
The John D. Mineck Furniture Fellowship of $25,000 is awarded annually to one artist.

GUIDELINES
• Application Deadline: August 31, 2009
• The fellowship will focus on furniture makers whose work is contemporary and functional.
   Traditional and sculptural furniture makers will also be considered.
• The fellowship will focus on artists who work/live in New England (MA, ME, NH, RI, VT, CT), but candidates from other regions in the U.S. may be considered.
• Artist collaborations will be considered.
• Applicant must be at least 18 years of age at the time of application
• Currently enrolled, full-time students are not eligible

CRAFTBOSTON 

CRAFTBOSTON 2010 Application deadline is September 25th, 2009

CRAFTBOSTON has been commended as the leading show and exhibition of fine contemporary craft in New England.

CRAFTBOSTON and CRAFTBOSTON Holiday have something for all craft enthusiasts! The events brings together 110-200 studio artists showing one-of-a-kind and limited-edition pieces in baskets, ceramics, fiber decorative, fiber wearable, furniture, glass, jewelry, leather, metal, mixed media, paper and wood. Additionally, CRAFTBOSTON features work by emerging artists from leading schools and universities, book sellers, educational lectures, staff led tours for the blind and visually impaired and other special interest groups; and exhibits to promote other non-profit craft organizations.

CRAFTBOSTON Holiday 2009 will take place December 11-13, 2009.
CRAFTBOSTON 2010 will take place April 9-11, 2010.
CRAFTBOSTON Holiday 2010 will take place December 10-12, 2010.