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School-to-Market

School-to-Market

Author
Students from Virginia Commonwealth University participating in the 2015 Baltimore ACC show

Professor Sayaka Suzuki (far left) with her students from Virginia Commonwealth University participating in the 2015 Baltimore ACC show and VCU alumnus Aaron McIntosh (fourth from left); Photo: Horace and Mae Photography

Providing students with opportunities to explore what’s next

Hosted at the Baltimore, Atlanta, St. Paul, and San Francisco shows, our School-to-Market program bridges the gap between higher educational curriculum in craft and the marketplace by providing undergraduate and graduate students a public venue for a curated, collective exhibition of their work. The American Craft Council proudly partners with educational institutions across the country to provide this unique opportunity to gain valuable insight and exposure to the craft marketplace.

School-to-Market Partners

  • Haywood Community College
  • Tennessee Tech University
  • University of Wisconsin–River Falls
  • University of Wisconsin–Stout

What Our Partners Say

Being able to exhibit at ACC in 2013 was an exciting experience and a great learning opportunity for me. I sold two pieces, while getting exposure to a very large audience. The most rewarding aspect was meeting the people who bought my work and watching others interact with and react to my work. I saw firsthand how my small figures held such a large presence, demanding that they be investigated more intimately, and left viewers with more questions than answers. ~Marisa Finds, VCU student

My experience in the School-to-Market course has made a great impact on my work and future in so many ways. The practical real-life challenges and opportunities the class provides are invaluable to launching a practice and/or business successfully after graduation…. Participation in the ACC show through the School-to-Market class has made the high cost of tuition at CCA seem worthwhile.... The School-to-Market class (with its participation in the ACC show) is the only class that I have taken at CCA that has provided the kind of exposure I had hoped to get through a CCA education. ~Jenny Rosen, CCA student

The School-to-Market folks put together a rigorous - but very manageable - checklist that allowed me to pace out my work over the summer... and the results were excellent! I sold almost all of my stock at the show, and I've already made one after-sale. Because the ACC show attracts talent-seekers, I have also received favorable mention on a design blog (Handfull of Salt), and an invitation from Craft in America to loan napkins to their Craft of the Cocktail exhibition in December… All in all, this program was a lovely introduction to the commercial environment. Our booth looked beautiful, and I spoke to other merchants who were impressed at our level of quality. ~Jay Trolinger, CCA student

The benefits students gain from School-to-Market are undeniable. More students are aware of their individual goals, possibilities, and potential before graduation and more alumni are actively pursuing their career in the arts. ~Sayaka Suzuki, VCU professor

Please consider making a donation to support programs like School-to-Market, which provide give young craft students the tools to succeed.

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