State of Craft

Vermont Contemporary Crafts History Project, 2006-10

Prospectus

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Over the last four decades, Vermont emerged as one of the epicenters of the crafts revival in America. However, the artistic, social, and economic history of the contemporary crafts movement in the Green Mountain State has yet to be comprehensively researched and published or represented through a permanent collection in a major museum.

The Vermont Crafts Council, in anticipation of its 20th anniversary in 2010, is launching a multi-faceted, collaborative initiative encompassing documentation, interpretation, and acquisition. The purpose of the project is to illuminate the individual careers of master Vermont artists (makers) and to document the evolution of the larger crafts community (as reflected in the history of key organizations, events and projects) through three distinct periods—1965-1980, 1981-1990, and 1991-present. Project research will include archival study, oral history interviews, field photography, and curatorial survey/evaluation. Products from this four-year endeavor are:

• A major exhibit of the work of Vermont’s master craft artists

• A core permanent collection of art/craft objects (selected from the exhibit)

• A high-quality, four-color publication documenting the exhibit and the project

• An archive of oral histories and visual material accessible through a searchable database (possibly with an online component including audio segments).

[N.B. A second phase of the project is envisioned for 2010-15, which will entail another round of field interviews, full development of web-based educational resources from the archival collection, and expansion of the permanent collection.]

Who will benefit?

The audience for the project will be the craft community itself (within Vermont and beyond); collectors (individual and institutional), tourists and cultural heritage advocacy groups and agencies; schools, colleges, and libraries..

Who are the key project personnel?

VCC Executive Director Martha Fitch will serve as project director; veteran cultural project manager Meg Ostrum will be the project coordinator/fundraiser and publication editor. A guest curator and other specialists/scholars will assist on research and project tasks. An advisory group of craft professionals and administrators (six to eight people) will serve as a steering committee.

Who are the partners?

The Vermont Folklife Center will provide fieldwork services and house the oral and visual documentation. The Bennington Museum will host the exhibit and house the resulting permanent collection of contemporary Vermont crafts.

How will the project be funded?

The project is estimated to cost $200,000+. VCC, in conjunction with its partners, will seek small grants ($5000-10,000) from in-state foundations and agencies, and larger project grants ($15,000-50,000) from the National Endowment for the Arts and other major arts funders. Contributions from individuals and corporations will also be solicited. In addition, VCC and its partners will contribute certain in-kind services as part of the matching requirements for grants.

PROJECT TIMETABLE

August/September 2006 - Seek reactions to the draft project description from selected individuals and organizations

October/November 2006 – Secure commitments from institutional partners

November 2006/January 2007 - Identify funding sources and apply for grants

December 2006 – June 2007 - Use the VCC's period of high activity to communicate about the project to members of the crafts community. Wait for responses from funders.

June 2007 - December 2008 Conduct interviews and curatorial research

January 2009 - April 2010 Create exhibit, book, archives, web site.

May 2010 - Exhibit opens - grand celebration of VCC's 20th year.

NETWORKS OF INTEREST - DRAFT

Pre-1965

Bennington Potters

Vermont Hand Crafters

The Arts and Crafts Service/The Vermont Arts Council

Shelburne Craft School

Fletcher Farm School/The Society of Vermont Craftsmen

The Vermont Weaver's Guild

1965 - 1980

Artisans Hand

Frog Hollow State Craft Center

Windsor House State Craft Center

The Inter-Agency Craft Advisory Group

Bicentennial Crafts Collection

Craft Professionals - Craft Producers

Burklyn Arts Council

Robert Hull Fleming Museum

1980 - 1990

Market Vermont

Vermont Clay Studio

Ferrisburgh Artisans Guild

Vermont Crafts Council

Vermont State Craft Fair

Simon Pearce

Vermont Quilt Festival

Fairbanks Museum Festival of Traditional Crafts

1991 - present

The Year of American Craft

Open Studio Weekend

North Country Studio Conference

Vermont Downtown - Craftproducers and State Partners go to Manhattan

Vermont 20/20 GMCR Show

Vermont State Craft Center Overview Commission

The Vermont Furniture Makers Guild

Best of Vermont - Cabot Website

Lois McClure in Manhattan

Woodnet

Vermont Wood Manufacturer's Association

Vermont Delegation visits Asheville NC and Becky Andersen's Craft Heritage Trails Project

Danforth Pewterers

Northeast Kingdom Artisans Guild

Studio Place Arts

Shelburne Arts Center

Green Mountain Rug Hookers (School)

Vermont Folklife Center Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Program

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