Craft Catalyst Initiative

Craft Catalyst Initiative is sponsored by Etsy Uplift Fund (in partnership with Center for Craft). A national strategy to strengthen the United States' craft communities through grants to nonprofit organizations bringing critical support to makers.

Center for Craft and Etsy Partner to Invest $10 Million in Craft Communities Nationwide | Center for Craft Center for Craft and Etsy Partner to Invest $10 Million in Craft Communities Nationwide In celebration of ᏔᎷᏣ The Basket New Craft Catalyst Initiative sparks momentum for local craft economies Photo credit: Ricardo Tejada, Show and Tale Creative Director of Development & Marketing Transcript available upon request.

PDF version available upon request. High-resolution images available upon request. Asheville, NC (July 14, 2026) – In partnership with Etsy , the Center for Craft is proud to launch the Craft Catalyst Initiative, an ambitious new program that will invest $10 million over three years in craft hubs across the United States.

The funding will unleash capacity for regional craft ecosystems that support craft artists. “As the Center for Craft celebrates its 30th anniversary, partnering with Etsy to recognize the value of craft organizations marks a particularly significant milestone,” said Center for Craft Executive Director Stephanie Moore. “In an increasingly AI-driven and digitized world, human connection through craft is more essential than ever.

This initiative will fortify craft’s place by investing in the spaces, relationships, and infrastructure that encourage artists, sustain creative careers, and strengthen communities across the country. ” In its first round, the Craft Catalyst Initiative will award $2 million to 20 nonprofit organizations in five craft hubs nationwide, with each receiving unrestricted grants of $100,000.

Grounded in research previously commissioned by Etsy, "craft hubs" are defined as areas where artisans and cultural organizations intersect to cultivate strong communities through craft.

The recipient craft hubs and organizations are: Asheville / Western North Carolina Haywood Community College Professional Crafts Programs North Carolina Glass Center Qualla Arts & Crafts Mutual Creative Growth Art Center San Francisco Center for the Book Appalachian Artisan Center Berea College Student Craft The Woodworking School at Pine Croft Brandywine Workshop & Archives Santa Fe / Northern New Mexico Española Valley Fiber Arts Center Institute of American Indian Arts Studio Arts Program Santa Fe Community College School of Art & Design Organizations were selected based on their public commitment to supporting craft in their communities, research and interviews conducted in each hub, and guidance from a distinguished panel of national advisors with expertise in the field of craft.

Additional hubs will receive support in future rounds. “Thriving craft communities are essential to preserving traditions, fostering creativity, and creating opportunity for makers,” said Chelsea Mozen, Head of Impact & Sustainability at Etsy.

“We’re proud to partner with the Center for Craft to invest in the people and organizations that make these creative ecosystems possible, helping ensure artisans have the support they need to grow, connect, and keep craft thriving for generations to come.

” In addition to funding, leaders from recipient organizations will participate in a yearlong cohort to navigate challenges, strengthen support systems for makers, and build pathways to ensure craft’s continued importance in daily and cultural life. The cohort will encourage connection and collaboration to create long-lasting ripple effects within and across craft hubs. For more details, visit craftcatalystinitiative.

org . For 30 years, the Center for Craft has catalyzed the people and practices shaping the future of making by investing in artists, expanding craft scholarship, and supporting material innovation. Founded in 1996 and headquartered in Asheville, North Carolina, it has awarded more than $10 million in grants and fellowships to craft artists, researchers, and organizations across the United States.

In 2028, it will open the Center for Craft Community Library and Archives, combining holdings from the American Craft Council with its existing collections to create the nation’s leading resource on American craft. Learn more at centerforcraft. org .

Etsy, Inc. operates two-sided online marketplaces that connect millions of creative entrepreneurs with buyers around the world. These marketplaces share a mission to "Keep Commerce Human," and we're committed to using the power of business and technology to strengthen communities and empower people. Our primary marketplace, Etsy.

com , is the global destination for unique and creative goods. Buyers come to Etsy to be inspired and delighted by items that are crafted and curated by creative entrepreneurs. For sellers, we offer a range of tools and services that address key business needs.

Etsy, Inc. also owns fashion resale marketplace Depop. Our marketplaces operate independently, while benefiting from shared expertise in product, marketing, technology, and customer support. On February 15, 2026, Etsy entered an agreement to sell Depop to eBay, subject to regulatory approval and certain other closing conditions as set forth in the Sale and Purchase Agreement.

Etsy was founded in 2005 and is headquartered in Brooklyn, New York.

Image 1 (left to right): Qualla Arts and Crafts Mutual Manager Amanda McCoy, Haywood Community College Executive Director Hylah Birenbaum, Qualla Arts and Crafts Mutual Assistant Manager Taya Houser, Haywood Community College Fiber Program Faculty Amy Putansu, Etsy Executive Chair Josh Silverman, First Lady of North Carolina Anna Stein, North Carolina Governor Josh Stein, North Carolina Glass Center Executive Director Candace Reilly, North Carolina Glass Center Assistant Director Mamie Fain, Etsy Head of Global Public Policy and Impact Jeffrey Zubricki, Toe River Arts Education Manager Bethany Chenoweth, Toe River Arts Executive Director Nealy Andrews, Etsy Head of US State and Local Public Policy and Advocacy Beverly Hart.

Image 2 (left to right): Buncombe County Chair Amanda Edwards, Center for Craft Executive Director Stephanie Moore, Toe River Arts Education Manager Bethany Chenoweth, Toe River Arts Executive Director Nealy Andrews, Etsy Senior Director of Impact & Sustainability Chelsea Mozen, and North Carolina State Representative Brian Turner. Image 3: Artists, policy makers, Etsy staff, and Center for Craft community mingle after the launch event.

All photos by Ricardo Tejada, Show and Tale Creative.

Welcome to Our Newest Board Members The Center for Craft is pleased to announce four distinguished new members joining our Board of Directors Center for Craft Receives $425K Grant to Expand Access to Craft Archives A two-year Mellon Foundation grant will preserve craft histories for new generations New Exhibition on ‘Craft-itarianism’ Explores Community Action Through Craft Show celebrates nonprofits and artists using craft to heal, stabilize communities Welcome to Our Newest Board Members The Center for Craft is pleased to announce four distinguished new members joining our Board of Directors Center for Craft Receives $425K Grant to Expand Access to Craft Archives A two-year Mellon Foundation grant will preserve craft histories for new generations New Exhibition on ‘Craft-itarianism’ Explores Community Action Through Craft Show celebrates nonprofits and artists using craft to heal, stabilize communities