Jan. 23, 2007

It's time to cast a fresh eye on Michigan's crafts industry - from quilters and rug weavers to boat builders and stained-glass makers - an untapped Michigan resource with the potential to pump millions of dollars into Michigan's economy and draw thousands of tourists to the state, according to a report released today by the Michigan Department of History, Arts and Libraries (HAL) and Michigan State University Museum.

"CraftWORKS! Michigan: A Report on Traditional Crafts and Economic Development in Michigan" lays the strategy for creatively packaging Michigan's crafts industry in ways that will:

·       boost a region's appeal by collectively leveraging its unique heritage, personality and crafting businesses; and

·       offer a new and appealing tourism product by providing another opportunity for a "pure Michigan" visitor experience.  

The report is available online at www.craftworksmichigan.org.

"The 'CraftWORKS!' research and report have really opened our eyes to the potential power of a strategically planned and managed craft industry for Michigan," said Dr. William Anderson, director of the Department of History, Arts and Libraries.

"We've seen it work in other states, as with North Carolina's 'HandMade in America,' an initiative that has realized as much as a $120 million economic impact from the crafts sector," Dr. Anderson noted.  "With thousands of crafters and artisans making uniquely Michigan products - Michigan can enjoy those same entrepreneurial and economic rewards."

Nationwide, the craft industry had a $13.8 billion annual economic impact - about half the size of the U.S. toy industry and only slightly smaller than the retail floral market - as reported by the Craft Organization Development Association in 2001. 

In Michigan, arts and cultural activities already generate nearly $2 billion dollars a year, according to the recent W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research report, "Economic Benefits of Michigan's Arts and Cultural Activities." 

The craft sector includes gatherers and producers of craft supplies, home-based cottage industries, craft tool production businesses, large-scale craft supply and craft retail operations, craft galleries, craft schools and institutes, on-line craft businesses, craft fairs and festivals, county fair exhibitions, craft-based tours and events and craft exhibitions.  Craft fairs, festivals, and exhibitions in museums and galleries provide not only sales opportunities but also serve as a cultural destination for tourists and often as a nucleus for a variety of craft-based educational activities.

The CraftWORKS! report was authored by a team at the MSU Museum, home to the Michigan Traditional Arts Program, the state's center for researching, documenting, preserving and sharing the traditional arts.
 

"Craft and design in Michigan have a strong and long-standing presence that is shaped by the richness of our natural resources, the diversity of our people, and the way we work and live," explained Dr. Marsha MacDowell, MSU Museum curator of folk arts and one of the report's lead authors.  "More and more regions in the country are recognizing the relationship among craft production, cultural heritage, and community economic prosperity."

Dr. Anderson said that with key information about the traditional craft sector as well as culture-based tourism trails, the CraftWORKS! report outlines a series of recommendations about next steps that can be taken to grow the state's economy, as well as examples of successful approaches to linking craft and economy from around the country and the world.

The cultural tourism component of CraftWORKS! Michigan has developed into a separate but related initiative called Destination Culture: Michigan, a Web site now under construction.  Designed to draw visitors from near and far to Michigan to enjoy the state's rich cultural resources, the site is being designed as an online resource center that will feature searchable databases of Michigan's cultural assets; downloadable, self-designed cultural heritage tours and links to other online Michigan travel and heritage resources; user-generated content; advanced technology such as GIS mapping and the capacity to create individualized "My Michigan" spaces.

CraftWORKS! Michigan is an initiative of HAL's Office of Cultural Economic Development (CED), which aims to leverage Michigan's creative talent and cultural assets to spur economic growth and community prosperity.  To learn more about CED, visit www.michigan.gov/ced.

This CraftWORKS! Michigan report was funded by the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs and Michigan State University Museum.

The Department of History, Arts and Libraries (HAL) is dedicated to enriching quality of life and strengthening the economy by providing access to information, preserving and promoting Michigan's heritage and fostering cultural creativity.  The department includes the Library of Michigan, the Mackinac Island State Park Commission, the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs, the Michigan Film Office and the Michigan Historical Center.  For more information, visit www.michigan.gov/hal.

The Michigan State University Museum is Michigan's natural history and culture museum and the state's first Smithsonian Institution affiliate.  The MSU Museum is committed to understanding, interpreting and respecting natural and cultural diversity.  As Michigan's land grant university museum, this commitment to society is met through education, exhibitions, research and the building and stewardship of collections that focus on Michigan and its relationship to the Great Lakes and the world beyond.  For more information, see http://museum.msu.edu.

Read more press releases from the Department of History, Arts and Libraries (HAL).