Honored to be part of American Craft Connects 2026. I'll be joining an incredible lineup of speakers exploring how craft builds community, shapes culture, and impacts our world. Learn more and register through the American Craft Council.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2026; PANEL TIME IS TO BE ANNOUNCED
The Language of Fiber: To Speak of Memory, Justice, and Belonging: Artists across disciplines are reaching for the language of fiber, to speak of memory, justice, and belonging, threading together histories and futures with fiber as their scaffolding. No longer “soft” in the pejorative sense, these materials are being used to build, to challenge, and to take up both physical and conceptual space. Artists are shaping new terrain—and fiber is a foundation. Two long-standing fiber art organizations, Surface Design Association (SDA) and Textile Center of Minnesota, both dedicated to amplifying the voices of historically underrepresented communities in their field, shine a light on contemporary fiber art and artists who are helping to make this new terrain possible.
Presenters: Joey Quiñones, Delina White and Bryana Bibbs, plus Tracy Krumm and Astrid Hilger Bennett
About American Craft Connects: ACC Conference & Awards 2026
The American Craft Council is pleased to present American Craft Connects: ACC Conference & Awards 2026, taking place September 4–6, 2026 at the University of Minnesota McNamara Alumni Center in Minneapolis, MN.
Explore the ideas, trends, forces, and movements shaping the future of American craft at the country’s premier convening of craft field leaders, makers, and enthusiasts. Examine how the artful work of the human hand builds connection, shapes culture, fosters community, and grows today’s economy across a weekend of engaging panels and conversations featuring industry luminaries and extraordinary makers.
Additionally, attendees can celebrate the legacy and future of American craft at this awards reception honoring the 2026 American Craft Council Biennial Award recipients. Held on Friday, September 4, 2026, at the iconic Weisman Art Museum, designed by Frank Gehry, this special evening offers after-hours access to the museum, an awards ceremony, the opportunity to meet the honorees, and a reception with light hors d’oeuvres and refreshments. Since 1970, the ACC Awards have recognized individuals and organizations whose work as artists, educators, mentors, curators, scholars, and advocates has shaped and strengthened the field of craft.
WHERE:
University of Minnesota McNamara Center
Please use the entrance located at:
259 Walnut St SE
Minneapolis, Minnesota
WHEN:
September 4–6, 2026
Friday, September 4, 2026 / ACC Awards Celebration
Saturday, September 5, 2026 / 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
Sunday, September 6, 2026 / 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
TICKETS:
Tickets are on sale now. Purchase tickets at craftcouncil.org.