Exhibitions
Handwork: Celebrating American Craft 2026 culminates with a CORE EXHIBITION opening in late 2026 at the Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian American Art Museum. Museums and art centers joining as participants in the Handwork 2026 initiative will complete the rich diversity of interpretations on the work of the hand with EXHIBITIONS and related programs throughout the year. We invite all museums and regional arts centers to join this effort with the craft-centric, culture-based exhibitions you are planning for the year 2026.
Documentary Film Series
Four special episodes of Craft in America, the Peabody Award-winning, PBS DOCUMENTARY FILM SERIES, are in production for Handwork 2026. With episodes titled EAST, WEST, NORTH and SOUTH, the series will present a rich, democratic exploration of the handmade in traditional, studio, ethnic, and contemporary practices.
Digital Series
Three DIGITAL CONTENT initiatives complement the Handwork 2026 series, expanding access to craft education and inspiring viewers nationwide. Handmade America features short-form videos showcasing new artists and archival footage from Craft in America. Crafting History, an original digital series to learn the stories of iconic objects of American craft and how they have evolved through time. Craft Across America presents a curated collection of craft-focused films from PBS stations and participating organizations, all available on the Handwork 2026 website.
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.
Education
The EDUCATION component of Handwork 2026 will include interdisciplinary learning initiatives at all levels of the education system, with a special focus on grades K–12. It will take a wide look at the history, cultural traditions, and impact of craft in the United States, from Indigenous origins until today. Marilyn Stewart PhD, a nationally recognized art educator and author of art textbooks, will oversee the creation of the education guides. The guides will include hands-on craft activities and will be available on craftinamerica.org and handwork2026.org. A university-level artist residency program is also in development thanks to a generous grant from the Windgate Foundation.
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.
The website– handwork2026.org – will house all information about Handwork 2026 activities, participating organizations and how to join the national celebration.
