American Craft Made Baltimore 2026 took place in late February, in the middle of an unprecedented incursion of federal immigration agents into Minneapolis–St. Paul—the place where I was born, raised, and have chosen to remain. It was a balm, as well as a challenge, to temporarily leave this place and immerse myself in the beloved national craft community that gathers at ACM Baltimore.
As I prepared to speak to artists, members, trustees, and friends at the Saturday night artist reception and awards program, I was daunted by my assignment. How could I uplift craft in this moment in a way that felt real and urgent?
I found an answer as I thought about the uniquely powerful role the arts play in forming Minnesota’s culture. From there, it was easy to talk about why craft, in particular, matters now more than ever. In response to requests I’ve received from artists and makers who participated in the event, I am happy to share my comments here.
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Tonight we’re together to celebrate you and to announce our 2026 show award recipients. To set the stage for those awards and since we have this time together only once a year, I’d like to take a moment to reflect on why craft is more important than ever, here and now.
My perspective on the here and now is informed by my experience as a lifelong resident of Minneapolis–St. Paul.
Minneapolis is also home to the majority of our ACC staff team and a number of artists participating in this year’s fair.
I don’t think it’s a coincidence that we Minnesotans are meeting this moment in the way we are.
Long before Minnesota was on the map for our response to the events unfolding in 2026, we were on the map for the vibrancy, quality, and accessibility of our arts and culture.
Art and artists are an integral part of Minnesota’s civic fabric, and generations of children in our community have been shaped by arts participation in ways that foster empathy and reinforce our shared humanity.
Among the many ways that we express ourselves artistically, craft, in particular, is a constellation of values and practices. The craft community shares a distinctive ethos, and one that has never been more instructive in our pursuit of a better world.
Values at the core of craft are integrity, fidelity, and most importantly, care.
By integrity, I mean a commitment to soundness, quality, doing things right, and building things to last.
By fidelity, I mean a connection to and respect for the people and work that have come before us—not to arrest our development or progress, but to spur them.
By care, I mean that craftspeople make a meaningful investment of themselves and their humanity in the work they do. And I define work broadly.
We as a craft community share these values and more, and it is a blessing and honor to create this community with all of you.
Andrea Specht (right) is part of an ongoing mutual aid project led by Minneapolis-based The BLK Collectors Group, founded by Esther Callahan (left). Project volunteers have assembled and distributed hundreds of kits with art and craft supplies for kids who are sheltering in place with families afraid to leave their homes.
