At the Center we believe whole-heartedly in the field of craft and it’s ability grow, change, surprise and inspire humanity through it’s inate ability to build communities. Craft elevates the quality of life and goods in our lives and connects us to an authentic connection and process. The grants and fellowships we offer for makers, for curators, and for scholars, and all our research initiatives support our mission to Build a Future for Craft through Field Building.

In order to increase the value and relevance of craft to society, the Center works to advance the understanding of craft in higher education, museums and cultural institutions, and across disciplines. Field building strategies include convening thought leaders, creating, documenting and disseminating research, and launching innovative leadership initiatives. We provide grants and fellowships to emerging and established craft artists, curators, and scholars in order to build a future for the field of craft.

At the Center we're obsessivly dedicated to keeping space and place for craft—we call it Creative Placekeeping. Every event or community initiative we create such as Craft City, the Broadway Cultural Gateway project, our gallery Exhibitions and more, are meant to make a place for the development of the craft field. It’s all a part of our mission to Build a Future for Craft through Creative Placekeeping.

Recognizing that Asheville and the surrounding area has been a bastion for craft in the United States dating back to the Cherokee, the Center is actively working to preserve and advance the craft legacy of Western North Carolina through the development of our property in downtown Asheville, North Carolina and through a series of exhibitions and community-focused initiatives.