Craft in America is pleased to present Handwork: Celebrating American Craft 2026, a nationwide Semiquincentennial initiative to showcase the importance of the handmade both throughout our history and in contemporary life.
Handwork 2026 is a year-long collaboration among organizations, educators, and makers to celebrate the diversity of the crafts that define America, bringing compelling stories and underrepresented art and artists into the spotlight through the following programs.
Exhibitions & Events
More than 250 organizations nationwide have joined this initiative, each contributing exhibitions and events that showcase the depth and diversity of American craft. Find the latest exhibitions and events here.
Handwork 2026 will culminate with a CORE EXHIBITION entitled Handwork: Contemporary Craft at the Renwick Galleryat the Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian American Art Museum in November 2026.
Craft in America on PBS
Four special episodes of Craft in America, the Peabody Award-winning, DOCUMENTARY SERIES ON PBS, will premiere as part of Handwork 2026 and PBS America @ 250.
With episodes entitled EAST, WEST, NORTH and SOUTH, this special television event will present a rich, exploration of the handmade in traditional, studio, ethnic, and contemporary practices.
EAST and WEST are now streaming on YouTube and the PBS app.
NORTH and SOUTH premiere fall 2026.
Digital Content
From the team behind the Craft in America television series, DIGITAL CONTENT initiatives are in development, expanding access to craft education and inspiring viewers nationwide.
- Hand in Hand (working title). An original digital series that will explore the stories of iconic objects of American craft and how they have evolved through time
- The Handwork 2026 Video Gallery: Craft Across America. A collection of craft-related videos from local PBS Stations and Handwork 2026 Participants, as well as short-form videos from Craft in America featuring new artists
Publication
Presenting the extraordinary range of the handmade in the United States, the Handwork 2026 BOOK will feature craft history, artists, materials and processes, focusing on undertold stories. The BOOK will be object-based and object-driven. It will include essays by leading experts, artist statements, and images of exquisite and remarkable handmade objects. It will illuminate the contributions of craftspeople throughout our history. It will be one of the first and only books to bridge history by exploring the craft continuum over the span of American culture.
Release Date: Summer 2026
Education Programs
The EDUCATION component of Handwork 2026 includes interdisciplinary learning initiatives at all levels of the education system, with a special focus on grades K–12.
Education guides take a wide look at the history, cultural traditions, and impact of craft in the United States, from Indigenous origins until today, and include hands-on craft activities. Available on craftinamerica.org and through PBS LearningMedia.
Learn more about Handwork 2026 Education Programs.
A university-level artist residency program is currently in underway thanks to a generous grant from the Windgate Foundation.
Participating institutions include:
- Clark Atlanta University/Morehouse College/Spelman College
- Evergreen State College, Longhouse Native Arts Campus
- Institute of American Indian Arts
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Mississippi State University
- The New School, Parsons MFA Textiles Program
- Temple University, Tyler School of Art
- University of Arkansas, School of Art and Design
- University of Iowa
- University of Wisconsin-Madison
Engagement
In partnership with local, state and national organizations, Handwork 2026 will be amplified by a robust SOCIAL MEDIA campaign: Craft250.
Handwork 2026 will collaborate with craft makers, artists, museums and organizations to feature 250 posts – one for each working day of 2026 – to shine a spotlight on a particular object, process, technique or tradition, sparking a conversation and creating a forum for new ideas.