Early Career Artist Program
Transformative support.
The American Craft Council’s Early Career Artist Program gives you the resources you need to professionalize your passion. Building on the benefits of ACC membership, which includes access to on-demand professional development workshops, an inspiring subscription to American Craft magazine, and discounted application fees, this program adds opportunities for advertising support, tool and equipment grants, and discounted booth fees to showcase your work at our marketplace events across the country.
Eligibility and deadlines.
Any current ACC member who fits ACC’s definition of an Early Career Artist can apply. Active ACC membership at any level is a requirement for participation.
There are no deadlines to apply for participation in the Early Career Artist Program. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis from any current ACC member who meets the program criteria.
“Figuring out how my voice, values, and goals come together to form my brand has been a powerful journey.”
— ACC Early Career Artist
Program benefits.
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Any current ACC member can apply and be part of the Early Career Artist Program so long as they self-identify with how ACC defines an early career artist.
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Participating in the Early Career Artist Program makes you eligible for an emerging artist booth at the American Craft Made Baltimore fair. If accepted, you will also receive a free Enhanced Listing advertisement in the fair guide.
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Each issue of American Craft features an Artist Showcase with advertising options designed with artists’ budgets in mind. As an Early Career Artist Program participant, you have the opportunity to apply to be included for free.
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Early Career Artist Program participants will be eligible for exclusive grant opportunities that will become periodically available.
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Participation in the Early Career Artist Program is designed to build on active ACC membership, which includes the following benefits:
- Access to Craft Lab Workshop Series and past recordings
- 50% discount on applications to ACC fairs and marketplaces
- Discounts/access to resources from craft organizations across the U.S.
- A subscription to American Craft + access to online-exclusive stories
“It can be very overwhelming and discouraging to feel behind the curve on different business strategies, and the workshops helped me realize there are many pathways for making an art practice work for you.”
— ACC Early Career Artist
Frequently asked questions.
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For ACC purposes, Early Career Artists:
- Are in the early stages of their creative development, with 2-10 years of experience in taking their work to market
- Have a focused direction and goals for their business and creative practice while still developing their artistic “voice”
- Show evidence of professional achievement but haven’t yet established a solid reputation as a craftsperson or business within their field, the media, funding circles, or the public at large
- Aspire to have the sale of their work be a primary source of income / significant part of their livelihood
- Are 18 years of age or older
The term Early Career Artist, which is used by The Jerome Foundation and other field leaders, emphasizes our organization’s focus on supporting makers who seek to build careers based on their craft practice.
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Participation in the Early Career Artist Program is open to all current ACC members. To join or renew your membership, visit this link.
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Program participation is good for one year, beginning the date of application submission. You’ll need to reapply at the end of that period to continue to be eligible for program benefits.
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Participating in the Early Career Artist Program makes you eligible for an emerging artist booth at the American Craft Made Baltimore fair. If accepted, you will also receive a free Enhanced Listing advertisement in the fair guide.
If you have any questions please contact our Programs Manager, Rachel Messerich, at [email protected]
How to apply?
To apply, submit an application below.
To access the form, you must be logged in as an active ACC member.
If you are applying to showcase your work at an ACC marketplace event like American Craft Made Baltimore, you must already be in the Early Career Artist Program prior to being considered for discounted marketplace booth fees.
Sign in to your member account.
Sign in to your member account to apply for the Early Career Artist Program.