American Craft Connects: ACC Conference & Awards 2026
Making matters. Now, more than ever.
Explore the ideas, trends, and movements shaping the future of craft.
September 4–6, 2026
Minneapolis, MN
Examine how the artful work of the human hand builds connection, shapes culture, fosters community, and grows today’s economy at the country’s premier convening of the craft field.
Be part of the conversation across three days of engaging panels and presentations featuring industry luminaries and extraordinary makers. Celebrate the inspiring artists and advocates receiving ACC’s 2026 Biennial Awards, and meet the rising generation of artisans both carrying forward and challenging the traditions of craft in America.
See the full schedule and Conference Guide.
Friday, September 4
- Special receptions & open houses all day
- 10 a.m.–12 p.m. Reception at Clay Squared to Infinity
- 12–2 p.m. Northern Clay Center Open House
- 1–3 p.m. Minnesota Center for Book Arts Open House
- 2–4 p.m. Textile Center Open House
- 6 p.m. Biennial Awards Celebration
Saturday, September 5
- 9 a.m. Check-in begins
- 10 a.m. Opening remarks
- 1–5 p.m. Panels
Sunday, September 6
- 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Programming
- 4 p.m. Closing remarks
Location:
University of Minnesota McNamara Center
Tickets available now!
ACC members! Access your ACC member ticket discount before purchasing.
Conference Schedule & Guide
Click here to view and download a PDF version of the Conference Guide or a PDF version of the Conference Schedule.
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10 a.m.–12 p.m. Reception at Clay Squared to Infinity
12–2 p.m. Northern Clay Center Open House
1–3 p.m. Minnesota Center for Book Arts Open House
2–4 p.m. Textile Center Open House
6 p.m. Biennial Awards Celebration -
Events on this day take place at the University of Minnesota McNamara Center.
9 a.m. Check-in begins
9 a.m.–12 p.m. Breakfast offered at McNamara Center (included in registration)
9:30 a.m. Birds of a Feather
10:30 a.m. Opening Remarks
12–1 p.m. Lunch break off-site (on your own)
1 p.m. Connecting Through Craft: Deepening our Relationship to Communities
1 p.m. Blurred Lines: Illuminating Craft at the College of Design
1 p.m. America House / House Beautiful: Following the Paper Trail of Fiber Artist Mariska Karasz
2 p.m. Making a Living: Handwork and Workforce Development in the Digital Age
2 p.m. Teaching Artists as Time Benders
2 p.m. What Supports Craft Artists? Readiness, Relief, and Community Response
3 p.m. Craft Education: Why It Matters and How to Protect It
3 p.m. The Language of Fiber: To Speak of Memory, Justice, and Belonging
3 p.m. 5 Lessons from 50 years
4 p.m. So You Want to Write a Craft Book?
4 p.m. PechaKucha/Short presentations -
Events on this day take place at the University of Minnesota McNamara Center.
9 a.m.–12 p.m. Breakfast offered at McNamara Center (included in registration)
9 a.m. PechaKucha/Short presentations
10a.m. State Fairs: Growing American Craft
11a.m. Making Change: Artists, Resistance, and Community
12–1 p.m. Lunch break off-site (on your own)
1 p.m. Rising Voices in Craft: Maxwell/Hanrahan Awardees
1 p.m. Between Friends: A Conversation on Queer Craft, Justice, and Resistance
1 p.m. Curating in the Craftscape: How Craft Museums Make History
2 p.m. A Fieldwide Look at Nonprofits
2 p.m. Beyond Our Walls: Building Community Through Accessible Arts Programming
2 p.m. Meet the CAT: The First Four Years of the Cafesjian Art Trust Museum
3 p.m. Craft For a Greater Good: Making a Difference Through Collaboration and Community
3 p.m. Beyond the Collection: Journey From the Studio
3 p.m. Turning Inward: Toward a Framework for Craft Criticism
4 p.m. Closing Speaker
Build Nationwide Connections & Community
American Craft Connects is an opportunity for craft professionals, artists, makers, collectors, and educators to explore trends and issues affecting the field we love.
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For Craft Field Professionals
- Gain insights into nationwide trends.
- Explore new ideas and practical strategies for storytelling, collaboration, engagement, and organizational impact.
- Build and nurture community with peers old and new – creating a lifelong network.
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For Artists & Makers
- Learn about craft education, publishing, collaboration, and professional growth.
- Discover new ways to tell your story, build visibility, and navigate the craft landscape.
- Build relationships with artists, organizations, and supporters across the community.
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For Collectors & Appreciators
- Deepen your understanding of craft, collecting practices, and the stories behind the work.
- Hear directly from artists, writers, curators, and cultural leaders shaping the craft field today
- Connect with a national community that shares your passion for craft and creative culture.
Opening Remarks
Dr. Anton Treuer
Professor of Ojibwe at Bemidji State University and acclaimed author Dr. Anton Treuer will open this year’s conference with remarks on Saturday, September 5. Named in 2018 as Guardian of Culture and Lifeways by the Association of Tribal Archives, Libraries, and Museums, Dr. Treuer’s presentation will consider how craft is shaped by place, history, identity, and community, offering a foundation for meaningful conversations throughout the conference.
Closing Remarks
Carla Canales
Acclaimed singer, cultural leader, and former Senior Advisor and Envoy for Cultural Exchange Carla Canales will close this year’s conference with remarks on Sunday, September 6, reflecting on the connections forged throughout the event and exploring the relationship between craft and community. Canales will also perform during her presentation, leaving attendees with an inspiring reminder of the power of craft to bring people together.
Meet some of this year's presenters.
Mary Savig
Fleur and Charles Bresler Curator-in-Charge, Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian American Art Museum
Namita Wiggers
Educator, writer, curator, and artist
Michelle Millar Fisher
Chief Curator, Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum
Diana Baird N’Diaye, PhD
Multidisciplinary artist, folklife researcher, and curator
Monica Hampton
Executive Director, The Furniture Society
Ruby Lopez Harper
Executive Director, Craft Emergency Relief Fund (CERF+)
Raul de Lara
2024 Maxwell/Hanrahan Award in Craft, wood sculptor
Leo Tecosky
2023 Maxwell/Hanrahan Award in Craft, glass blower
Browse Presentations & Panels
Explore this year’s presentations and panels, featuring more than 50 craft field leaders and luminaries.
Discover Minnesota's Craft Scene
Plan to arrive Friday for special city-wide opportunities.
Minneapolis and St. Paul have a rich cultural and creative ecosystem. The American Craft Council is arranging a number of opportunities for conference attendees to build community across the Twin Cities and with some of our longstanding partners.
Reception at Clay Squared to Infinity
10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Flux Arts Building
Learn about Minneapolis’ historic Northeast Arts District during this special open house.
Northern Clay Center Open House
12–2 p.m.
Northern Clay Center
The Northern Clay Center will host an open house and guided tours of its nationally recognized studios, galleries, classrooms, and artist residency spaces.
Minnesota Center for Book Arts Open House
1–3 p.m.
Minnesota Center for Book Arts
Discover one of the nation’s leading organizations dedicated to the art of the book during this special open house.
Textile Center Open House
2–4 p.m.
Textile Center
Experience one of the nation’s premier organizations dedicated to fiber art at Textile Center during this special open house.
Explore the Creative Commons
A unique conference experience.
From book signings to networking, meet-and-greets with national organizations, and demonstrations, this activity epicenter at American Craft Connects will offer an opportunity to build face-to-face connections and get hands-on with craft.
Get hands-on with Schiffer Publishing
Join Schiffer Craft as they demonstrate their latest craft kits, offer fun giveaways, and sell books and kits.
Connect with CERF+
Learn more about studio and work area safety with the Craft Emergency Relief Fund (CERF+)
Discover Springboard for the Arts
Springboard will be tabling and offering resources, as well as providing hands-on activities.
Learn about CourseStorm
Stop by to “claim your craft,” enter a raffle to win some treats for your team, and learn more about how CourseStorm helps craft education teams save time and grow enrollment.
Record an Object Story
Record your own Object Story as part of ACC’s ongoing nationwide storytelling initiative.
Handwork: Celebrating American Craft 2026
Stop by for information about this semisesquicentennial initiative and to learn how to oragami fold an envelope with a lovely fan shape feature.
ACC Biennial Awards Celebration
Kick off American Craft Connects at this special in-person event.
Friday, September 4
Weisman Art Museum
Honor and celebrate the 2026 American Craft Council Biennial Award recipients with an unforgettable evening reception and program at the iconic riverside Weisman Art Museum, designed by Frank Gehry. Meet and mingle with 2026 award-winners, including: Consuelo Jimenez Underwood, Clifton Monteith, Donald Freidlich, DY Begay, Jean McLaughlin, Mildred Howard, Namita Gupta Wiggers, Silas Kopf, Susan Stinsmuehland-Amend, and Vivian Beer.
Conference Accommodations
Book early at a discounted rate.
For those looking for lodging, our preferred hotel is the Graduate Minneapolis. Guests can book online here or call the hotel at (612) 379-8888, press 2 for reservations, and request the American Craft Council Room Block (group code 919)
Past ACC Conferences
Thank you to our sponsors!
This article was made possible with support from the Windgate Foundation, Maxwell/Hanrahan Foundation, The Harlan Boss Foundation, KNOCK, Inc., CourseStorm, and Northeast Bank Foundation.
