Handmade In America Community Development Corporation

Programs: During 2012, handmade in america projects focused on three areas: economic development, entrepreneurship, and education. Economic development: economic development program applies community-driven methods for developing and expanding formal, innovative programs for small towns, craft clusters, and peer-to-peer mentoring. Accomplishments: the organization worked with 13 small towns in the western north carolina region and hosted monthly craft clusters - textile group with an average attendance of 40 people. The craft clusters promoted to expand network and connect resources. In addition peer to peer mentoring promoted technical assistance to 135 individuals. The small town summit had 105 participants that educated participants of the knowledge base in the area and related initiatives.

entrepreneurship: entrepreneurship program's focus is to be regionally focused on economic and craft development and connecting partners through (a) entrepreneurship training in business, industry and the creativity of craft, (b) assistance to low-income women in their efforts to improve the entrepreneurial businesses, (c) provide exhibition opportunities and venues, and (d) training craft artists to expand their markets and gain entrepreneurship skills. Accomplishments: craft lab entrepreneurship training involved 30 labs teaching over 500 attendees. In adddition, business incubators involved a cool craft market over a three day period with 24 local artists. In addition, the organization provided one on one technical assistance to train craft people in the art of being an entrepreneur within the craft trade.

education: this program is to assist wnc craft artists through advocacy in regional and national craft activities through lectures, workshops and training. Accomplishments: the organization was a major promoter of craft week in asheville, nc that facilitated the presentation at unc-asheville of bruce metcalf and janet koplos, authors of makers: a history of american studio craft, as well as hosting anna farielllo's lecture and panel curators and jurors. Worked with grassroot campaigns to educate the general public of the economic and cultural impact of purchasing handmade items from local and regional artists.