CraftMONTH 2026 is almost here!
CraftNOW and our local partners are proud to present CraftMONTH 2026, coming to you this November!
Who we are
CraftNOW Philadelphia
CraftNOW unites, celebrates, and supports the people, businesses, and institutions of the craft community of Philadelphia. Through education, curation and economic development, we work to continue Philadelphia’s vibrant history as a capital of craft- a place where craft is learned, created, seen, purchased, collected, and shared.
Coming up…
November is CraftMonth!
Each November, in partnership with the City of Philadelphia, and local craft organizations, CraftNOW works to bring our vast contemporary craft community together for CraftMONTH.
In 2026, the theme, Radical Americana: Throughlines, considers how Philadelphia’s craft traditions, objects, and ideas connect the city’s past with the work of artists today. The theme grows out of the broader Radical Americana initiative developed by The Clay Studio and cultural partners during the nation’s 250th anniversary year. CraftNOW’s November programming carries that conversation forward, using objects, materials, places, and artistic traditions to uncover connections between Philadelphia’s history and its living creative community.
Approximately 20 exhibition partners, 10 CraftNOW Create partners, and 20 Symposium presenters will participate in programming throughout the month.
Look below for an itinerary of our CraftMONTH programming!
Community Events and Programming
Community Exhibitions
Ongoing, Ending by December
Craft Exhibition spaces throughout Philadelphia present the most honored and innovative artists working today in wood, clay, fiber, metal, and glass.
CraftNOW Create
Saturday, November 7th, 2026
Craft steps out of the studio and into the heart of Philadelphia with demonstrations and hands-on exploration. Join us Saturday, November 2nd when we take over Smith Memorial Playground with free activities.
Radical Americana: Throughlines Symposium
Thursday, November 12th 2026, at Moore College of Art and Design, and Online
The centerpiece of CraftMONTH is the free CraftNOW Symposium! This year’s Symposium will be on November 12th at Moore College of Art & Design and online.
The day-long program will bring together artists, makers, curators, scholars, museums, historic sites, and other cultural organizations to explore how craft carries Philadelphia’s history forward.
Presentations will trace the humble clothing button from an 18th-century Philadelphia industry to contemporary art; explore the city’s distinctive tradition of glass pipe-making; examine presidential china and its reinterpretation by artists today; and connect Philadelphia’s craft history to queer resistance, abolition, and social action. Other sessions will consider the work of Wharton Esherick and jeweler Art Smith and contemporary artists working within Philadelphia’s historic houses.
In The Spotlight
Artist and Makers - Glass
Our directory of local artists and makers illustrates why Philadelphia is a renowned urban center for contemporary craft. Shown in world class museums and found in grassroots movements, artisans are able to draw from a wealth of accessible resources in the city to establish and grow their businesses and creative practices. The medium we are currently highlighting is glass!
Museums, Galleries, Retail
This page serves as a curated guide to the city’s vibrant craft and art community, featuring a diverse network of museums, galleries, historic institutions, and independent shops dedicated to handmade and contemporary craft. The directory highlights spaces that showcase ceramics, textiles, glass, wood, metal, and more—connecting visitors to both long-established cultural landmarks and small locally owned businesses.
Explore Craft
We invite you to explore the many institutions and individuals that contribute to Philadelphia’s thriving contemporary scene
CraftNOW Sponsors
