participant-type

: Museum

The Nancy and Rich Kinder Building at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. Photo by Houston First Corporation.

As one of the leading craft-collecting institutions in the United States, the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston (MFAH) is dedicated to the research and interpretation of contemporary craft. Dating from 1940 to the present and international in scope, the collection represents all media including ceramics, fiber, furniture, glass, jewelry, metalwork, sculptural and turned wood and alternative materials. Important collections include the Helen Williams Drutt Collection of jewelry, the Garth Clark and Mark Del Vecchio Collection of ceramics, the Leatrice and Melvin Eagle Collection of craft, and the Carol Straus Collection of fiber art.

Founded in 1900, the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston is the oldest museum in Texas, and one of the largest cultural institutions in the United States, with over 270,000 square feet of space dedicated to the display of art. Nearly one million visitors engage annually with the Museum’s permanent collection of more than 70,000 objects. The encyclopedic collections of the MFAH cover world cultures dating from antiquity to the present.

Houston,
TX
Arts/Cultural Organization Museum
Clay Fiber Glass Metal Mixed Media Other Paper Wood
Historic St. George's after the Benjamin Franklin Bridge was built - a mere 14 feet away. HSG Museum & Archives

Explore the historical significance of Methodism in the oldest continuously used Methodist church building in America, purchased in 1769.

Philadelphia,
PA
Museum
Clay Fiber Metal Mixed Media Other Paper Wood
Facade of museum featuring roses in the foreground. Couresty of Chuck Barry

The de Saisset Museum provides ambitious and groundbreaking exhibition and educational programing to our diverse publics on and off campus that are timely and multifaceted in nature. We foreground projects that highlight the varied realities lived by our diverse community of practitioners and support Santa Clara University’s goal of educating the whole person through interdisciplinary collaborations and partnerships. Our work is experimental; we function as a test-site for new ideas, methodologies, and practices and aspire to be in a constant state of evolution. We are governed by a code of ethics that foreground diversity, equity, and inclusion, which is reflected in all that we do.

Santa Clara,
CA
Museum University or College
Clay Fiber Glass Metal Mixed Media Other Paper Wood
The Columbia Gorge Museum. Lonnie Gates

The Columbia Gorge Museum was established in 1995 to house historically significant objects from the Columbia River Gorge area of Washington and Oregon. Its amazing collections contain quilts, lace pillows, lace, wedding dresses, and handmade household materials, as well as the “world’s” largest rosary collection, historical lumber industry objects, indigenous people’s cultural objects (all media); Japanese cultural objects, and a collection of art and rare objects once belonging to a Russian Baron, originator of the Lightbearers philosophical and spiritual organization. The collection is housed in an award-winning building on 18 acres on the banks of the Columbia River.  The Museum is recognized for its exhibitions and programs, especially those that support emerging artists; highlight historical contributions; and connect communities throughout the region.

Stevenson,
WA
Museum
Fiber
Figge Art Museum. Image Courtesy of the Figge Art Museum

The Figge Art Museum is dedicated to bringing art and people together.

Located on the Mississippi River in downtown Davenport, Iowa, the Figge is the premier art exhibition and education facility between Chicago and Des Moines. Its landmark glass building, designed by British architect David Chipperfield, features a public art installation by world-renowned artist Leo Villareal called Evanescent Field that illuminates the Figge’s exterior with dynamic patterns of light.

The Figge is home to one of the Midwest’s finest art collections and presents world-class exhibitions, art classes, lectures, and special events that attract visitors of all ages. The collection features European, American, Spanish Viceregal art, Haitian art, and modern and contemporary works. The Figge is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums.

Davenport,
IA
Arts/Cultural Organization Museum
Clay Fiber Glass Metal Mixed Media Other Paper Wood
Armando Veve, in collaboration with The Fabric Workshop and Museum, Philadelphia. "Millions of Cats" (process image), 2025. Carlos Avendaño

The Fabric Workshop and Museum (FWM) is an internationally acclaimed contemporary art museum that works at the intersection of artistic innovation and creative collaboration. For nearly five decades, we have created and presented groundbreaking works of art through our Artist-in-Residence Program, which provides artists the opportunity to experiment with new materials, taking their work in fresh and unexpected directions.

Founded in 1977, FWM presents ambitious exhibitions that unite process with finished works. What began as an invitation for artists to experiment with fabric and screenprinting has evolved into a dynamic platform for creative exploration across sculpture, installation, video, photography, ceramics, and architecture. FWM’s collection preserves not only artworks and editions but also material samples, prototypes, and documentation, capturing the full arc of artistic production.

With free admission and hands-on learning, we inspire the public with the spirit of discovery, advancing art’s role as a catalyst for creativity and social connection.

Philadelphia,
PA
Arts/Cultural Organization Museum
Clay Fiber Mixed Media Other Paper Wood
Art Complex Museum. Lori LeDoux

The Art Complex Museum is located in the historic town of Duxbury, Massachusetts, 33 miles south of Boston. It houses the impressive art collection of the Carl A. Weyerhaeuser family.

The collection includes over 8,000 art objects, including American and European prints, rare books, American paintings, Shaker furniture, Asian art, and additional treasures.

The museum offers a year-round schedule of exhibitions, featuring thematic shows from the permanent collection and shows by contemporary artists. Additional programming includes lectures, concerts, education programs, demonstrations and Japanese tea ceremonies, fulfilling the founders’ vision that their family’s many interests be shared with the community.

This unique venue offers visitors an inviting place for viewing and learning about art in an intimate and comfortable setting.

Duxbury,
MA
Museum
Clay Fiber Metal Mixed Media Other Paper Wood
National Museum of Women in the Arts, exterior, 13th Street side, 2023; Photo by John Mannarino

Located in the heart of Washington, DC, the National Museum of Women in the Arts (NMWA) is the first museum in the world solely dedicated to championing women through the arts.

With its collections, exhibitions, programs, and online content, the museum seeks to inspire dynamic exchanges about art and ideas. NMWA advocates for better representation of women artists and serves as a vital center for thought leadership, community engagement, and social change. The museum addresses the gender imbalance in the presentation of art by bringing to light important women artists of the past while promoting great women artists working today.

Washington,
DC
Museum
Clay Fiber Glass Metal Mixed Media Other Paper Wood
Image of the Lindsay Pettus Gallery at the NASC. Native American Studies Center at USC Lancaster

Established in August of 2012, this comprehensive center for the study of South Carolina’s Native American peoples, their histories, and their cultures offers visitors the opportunity to view the single largest collection of Catawba Indian pottery in existence; study primary and secondary texts on Native Americans in the Southeast; participate in educational classes and programs; and observe archaeology, language, and folklore and oral history labs.

We develop curriculum and public programs that educate the public about Native American art and culture, with an emphasis on the Catawba and other Native communities in South Carolina. Students at USC Lancaster and visitors to our Center can learn about art, American Indian literature and culture, Native American archaeology, folklore, anthropology, and oral traditions.

Our Mission

The mission of USC Lancaster’s Native American Studies is to promote the documentation, preservation, appreciation, and study of Native American cultures and heritages. This mission is aided by courses and curricula, research projects, archival resources, exhibits, publications, and other public and educational programs and  materials developed by USCL faculty and staff. The Center works to dispel any stereotypes or existing misconceptions regarding Native Americans, their cultures, life ways, and languages.

Lancaster,
SC
Museum University or College
Clay Fiber Metal Mixed Media Paper Wood
Ohr-O'Keefe Museum of Art, photographed across the water of the Atlantic Ocean Gulf in Mississippi. Photo © A. Zahner Company.

The Ohr-O’Keefe Museum of Art (OOMA) in Biloxi, Mississippi, celebrates the innovative spirit of George E. Ohr, the “Mad Potter of Biloxi,” and the cultural richness of the Gulf Coast. Designed by architect Frank Gehry, the museum’s striking campus of pods and pavilions offers a unique setting for exhibitions of contemporary and historical art. OOMA’s permanent collection highlights Ohr’s groundbreaking ceramics, while rotating exhibitions showcase diverse regional, national, and international artists. Through exhibitions, programs, and educational initiatives, the museum fosters creativity, dialogue, and a deeper appreciation for the arts and culture of the South.

Biloxi,
MS
Museum
Clay Mixed Media Other
Exterior of the South Carolina State Museum. Courtesy of the South Carolina State Museum

The South Carolina State Museum, located in Columbia’s historic 1894 Columbia Mills building, is the largest museum in the state and a Smithsonian Affiliate. The Museum features four floors of exhibits in art, cultural history, natural history, and science and technology. Our mission is to provide educational experiences that inspire, entertain, and enrich visitors through engaging exhibits and innovative programming.

Highlights of the museum include the Lipscomb Art Gallery, a 55-foot digital dome planetarium, the Boeing Observatory with a historic Alvan Clark telescope, and South Carolina’s only permanent 4D interactive theater. Its extensive collection includes over one million objects, such as fine art, fossils, cultural artifacts, and science exhibits. Notable exhibitions explore topics like World War II, South Carolina’s role in space exploration, and the science of sound.

The museum offers educational programs, field trips, and discounted access through the “Museums for All” program. General admission is affordable, with special pricing for children, seniors, and groups. Visitors can enjoy the Crescent Café and shop for locally made items in the museum store, one of the largest museum gift shops in the country.

Blending history, art, science, and culture, the South Carolina State Museum offers a dynamic and inclusive experience for learners and explorers of all ages.

Columbia,
SC
Museum
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View of the Asheville Art Museum exterior. Image Sterling Silver.

The Asheville Art Museum was founded in 1948 by a group of artists to champion the creativity of Western North Carolina (WNC), bring art of national significance to the community, and encourage dialogue. Through generations of experienced and dedicated volunteer and professional leadership, the Museum continues to realize its mission: to engage, enlighten, and inspire individuals and enrich community through dynamic experiences in American art of the 20th and 21st centuries.

The Collection houses over 8,500 works in all media, including regionally and nationally significant paintings and drawings, prints, photography, sculpture, craft and decorative arts, and focal collections of works by members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, Appalachian artists, Black Mountain College artists, traditional and studio craft, and regional architecture. The Museum has been particularly active in collecting historic and contemporary craft and studio glass with a focus on the Southeast and WNC.

Asheville,
NC
Museum
Clay Fiber Glass Metal Mixed Media Other Paper Wood
Experience American art at The Rockwell Museum, A Smithsonian Affiliate in Downtown Corning. Allison Usavage Photography, 2023.

The Rockwell Museum, in association with the Smithsonian Institution, tells the story of the evolving American experience through the work of American artists. Founded in 1976, The Rockwell is a community hub showcasing the diversity of American experience through compelling exhibitions and imaginative programs. The collection includes a mix of contemporary Native American art with traditional bronze sculptures, landscape paintings, and other works that embody America. Housed in the restored 19th-century Old City Hall building, The Rockwell is active in the local community and holds special events and educational programming with area schools. The Rockwell provokes curiosity, engagement, and reflection about art and the American experience.

The Museum’s campus includes the KIDS ROCKWELL Art Lab, located around the corner at 36 E. Market Street, featuring family-friendly activities, games, and hands-on projects connected to our exciting special exhibitions and collection of American artworks.

Corning,
NY
Arts/Cultural Organization Museum
Clay Fiber Glass Metal Mixed Media Paper Wood
Glass heated under intense flames during a glassmaking demonstration in the Amphitheater Hot Shop. Courtesy of Corning Museum of Glass.

The Corning Museum of Glass is an independent, not-for-profit museum dedicated to the exploration and exhibition of glass.

Since its founding in 1951, the museum has grown to steward the world’s most comprehensive and important collection of glass objects, including: contemporary sculptural marvels from artists like Dale Chihuly, Lino Tagliapietra, and Toots Zynsky; groundbreaking scientific innovations like the 200-inch telescope lens casting; and 35 centuries of glass and glassmaking.

The Museum welcomes over 300,000 annual visitors, offering daily live demonstrations and glassmaking experiences for all ages.

The Studio of the Corning Museum of Glass uses state-of-the-art glassmaking spaces to advance glassmaking education and support new ideas, forwarding the world of glass art, and the Rakow Research Library maintains and grows a record of glass history while supporting today’s researchers.

The museum strives in all aspects to achieve its mission of inspiring people to see glass in a new light. 

Corning,
NY
Craft School Museum
Glass
Exhibits at the Wilson Museum feature fine handcrafted work from around the world and spanning thousands of years.

Founded in 1921 by Castine summer resident and geologist Dr. J. Howard Wilson, the Wilson Museum invites you to forge connections across history, places, and cultures.

From million-year old fossils to Bagaduce River horseshoe crabs, from the tools of early humans to Castine’s local history, from the shores of Penobscot Bay to people around the world, the collections, exhibits, and programs at the Wilson Museum feed curiosity and provide multi-sensory, immersive learning experiences.

Visitors of all ages can tour an early Castine home, watch craftspeople and artisans demonstrate traditional skills and tools, and engage in hands-on learning.

Castine,
ME
Museum
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