Craft Contemporary
Craft Contemporary is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit art museum in Los Angeles presenting rotating exhibitions of contemporary craft-based art for general audiences, students, and members, supported by admissions, memberships, donations, shop sales, and institutional grants.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1973
- HeadquartersLos Angeles, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Craft Contemporary does
Craft Contemporary is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit art museum (EIN 23-7442244) located at 5814 Wilshire Blvd in Los Angeles's Miracle Mile district, operating from a three-story 1930 neo-Georgian building. Founded in 1965 by painter Edith Robinson Wyle as The Egg and the Eye, the institution received nonprofit status in 1973 as the Craft & Folk Art Museum (CAFAM) and rebranded to Craft Contemporary in 2018 to signal its focus on craft as both material and process. The museum presents rotating exhibitions of contemporary art made from craft media, prioritizing established and emerging artists—particularly those underrepresented in larger institutions—and pairs each show with hands-on workshops, artist talks, and panel discussions.
The core programming portfolio comprises public workshops (Maker Nights, Craft Lab family sessions), the free Craft Youth Culture program for high school students, the Crafting Histories eight-week workshop series for adults 55+, free guided school tours for grades 3-12, and a Maker-in-Residence program. Signature events include the annual CLAY LA ceramic marketplace, the Holiday Marketplace, the benefit auction, and themed exhibitions such as Art Iran with Farhang Foundation and the four-year M&A courtyard installation series. The institution's archives covering 1965-1997 are housed at UCLA Special Collections, the largest museum archive in that collection.
Revenue is generated across six streams: general admission ($9 adults; $7 seniors/students; free for children 12 and under, members, and all LA schools; pay-what-you-wish Sundays), tiered annual membership dues ranging from $60 (Individual) to $1,000 (Director's Circle) with NARM reciprocal benefits, tax-deductible donations (including text-to-give, matching gifts, and legacy giving), e-commerce shop sales at craftcontemporaryshop.org, annual benefit auction proceeds, and grants from government agencies and private foundations (NEA, Getty Foundation, LA Department of Cultural Affairs, California Arts Council, LA County Department of Arts). Distribution is exclusively direct-to-consumer through walk-in visitors, membership, school group reservations, adult group tours, the e-commerce shop, and off-site programming at venues including LA Metro stations.
Craft Contemporary firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Craft Contemporary
- Legal name
- Craft Contemporary
- Website
- https://craftcontemporary.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1973
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Craft Contemporary is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit art museum in Los Angeles presenting rotating exhibitions of contemporary craft-based art for general audiences, students, and members, supported by admissions, memberships, donations, shop sales, and institutional grants.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Craft Contemporary industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Art Museum
- NAICS
- Museums (712110), Museums (71211)
- SIC
- Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Crafts & Maker Arts (Ceramics, Textiles, Jewelry, Mixed Media) (EDAMAAAD)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Crafts & DIY (Paper, Fiber, Wood, Resin, DIY Projects) (EDAAAGAB)
Keywords
Where Craft Contemporary is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Los Angeles
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Craft Contemporary business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Museum Admission: General admission fees ranging from free (children 12 and under, members) to $9 for adults, with discounted rates for seniors and students. Sundays operate on pay-what-you-wish model.
- Membership Dues: Annual membership fees across six tiers from $60 (Individual) to $1,000 (Director's Circle), providing recurring revenue with benefits including free admission, event access, and reciprocal museum privileges.
- Donations and Contributions: Tax-deductible donations through online portal, text-to-give (CRAFT to 53-555), matching gifts, Donor-Advised Funds, and legacy giving programs. EIN 23-7442244.
- Shop Sales: E-commerce sales of curated craft items from local and international artisans through craftcontemporaryshop.org, with 10% member discount.
- Benefit Auction: Annual benefit and art auction events generating revenue through ticket sales, auction purchases, and sponsorships. Features works from exhibiting artists.
- Sponsorships: Support from corporate sponsors, foundations, and government arts agencies including the National Endowment for the Arts, Getty Foundation, City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs, and California Arts Council.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Individual membership for one cardholder |
| Subscription | Annual | Household membership for two cardholders |
| Subscription | Annual | Friend membership with NARM reciprocal benefits |
| Subscription | Annual | Artist Circle with ModCo reciprocal benefits |
| Subscription | Annual | Curator's Circle with artist dinners |
| Subscription | Annual | Director's Circle top-tier membership |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Museum admission general |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels7 records
Craft Contemporary product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Craft Contemporary is a non-collecting art museum in Los Angeles that presents rotating exhibitions of contemporary art made from craft media and processes. It complements exhibitions with hands-on educational programs (workshops, teen programs, school tours, adult programming), artist residencies, a tiered membership program, a curated retail shop featuring artisan-made items, and signature annual events including the benefit auction, CLAY LA ceramic marketplace, and Holiday Marketplace.
Product overview
Craft Contemporary is a non-collecting art museum in Los Angeles that operates as a unified physical-experience institution rather than a software platform. The organization presents dynamic exhibitions of contemporary art made from craft media and processes, complemented by educational programs including hands-on workshops (Craft Lab, Maker Nights), youth programs (Craft Youth Culture for teens, school tours for grades 3-12), adult programming (Crafting Histories for adults 55+), and artist residencies. Additional offerings include membership tiers, a retail shop, and signature events such as CLAY LA (annual ceramic marketplace), Holiday Marketplace, and the Art Iran exhibition series. The institution does not offer a software product, API, or digital platform.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Exhibitions Rotating exhibitions featuring contemporary art made from craft media and processes, presenting work by established and emerging artists who are often underrepresented in larger art institutions.
- Public Programs & Workshops
- Craft Youth Culture (CYC) Teen Program Free teen program designed for high school students to develop creativity, work with professional artists, engage in critical discussion around art, and connect with other youth.
- Crafting Histories Eight-week craft workshops designed for adults over 55 years to develop skills in ceramics, fiber arts, and book making.
- School Programs Guided school visits for 3rd to 12th grade including interactive gallery experiences and hands-on craft workshops, with free admission for LA schools.
- Adult Tours Self-guided and guided tours for adult and university groups to explore exhibitions and learn about craft; groups over 10 require reservation.
- Membership Program Tiered annual membership program (Individual, Household, Friend, Artist Circle, Curator's Circle, Director's Circle) offering free admission, reciprocal museum access at 900+ NARM museums, shop discounts, and exclusive events.
- Craft Contemporary Shop Curated retail selection of unique items from local and international artisans, including jewelry, ceramics, textiles, and craft supplies, with 10% member discount.
- Maker-in-Residence Program Artist residency program featuring makers on-site at the museum, allowing visitors to observe studio practice and engage with artists.
- CLAY LA Annual ceramic marketplace and fundraiser bringing together emerging and established ceramic makers from the greater Los Angeles area.
- Holiday Marketplace Annual festive shopping weekend showcasing curated contemporary craft and design by LA-based makers.
- Art Iran Curatorial Competition & Exhibition Curatorial competition and exhibition partnership with Farhang Foundation showcasing contemporary Iranian art and culture.
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 900 NARM reciprocal museum partners for members
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Craft Contemporary
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles6 records
Craft Contemporary technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Craft Contemporary partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Materials & Applications (M&A)coreFour-year partnership (2021-2026) for courtyard installations at Craft Contemporary, transforming the courtyard each summer with site-specific architectural projects. Final installation 'Earthen Comforts: Airing Earth' by Liz Gálvez explores passive cooling strategies for climate adaptation.
- Farhang FoundationcoreProgramming and exhibition support for Art Iran exhibitions and curatorial competitions, celebrating Iranian art and culture. Partnered on Art Iran (2024) and Art Iran 2 curatorial competition (2027).
- The Institute for Art and OlfactioncoreProgramming partner supporting scent-based exhibitions and programs including IAO Olfactory Storylab Maker-in-Residence and Scent Fair LA events.
- Laguna ClayminorProgramming and exhibition support providing materials and resources for ceramic arts programming.
- National Endowment for the ArtscoreFederal arts funding supporting exhibitions and operations.
- KCRWminorMedia sponsor providing radio coverage and promotion for exhibitions and events.
- UC Berkeley Arts Research CenterminorResearch partnership supporting Liz Gálvez's (Im)material Matters Lab and Earthen Comforts installation.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves10 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Craft Contemporary competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Bellevue Arts Museum: Pacific Northwest museum focused on craft, art, and design with rotating exhibitions and educational programming — comparable scale and regional nonprofit museum model.
- Society for Contemporary Craft: Pittsburgh-based nonprofit craft organization presenting exhibitions, artist residencies, and educational programs with a comparable craft-focused contemporary art mission.
- Contemporary Craft: Pittsburgh-based nonprofit advancing contemporary craft through exhibitions, artist residencies, and educational programming, with a comparable operational model and craft-focused mission.
- Houston Center for Contemporary Craft: Houston-based nonprofit gallery and education center dedicated to craft media with artist residencies and exhibitions, closely matching Craft Contemporary's craft-focused mission.
- Museum of Arts and Design (MAD): NYC museum dedicated to contemporary art, craft, and design with similar exhibitions, educational programs, and artist residency offerings — the most direct peer to Craft Contemporary in scope and mission.
- Museum of Craft and Design: San Francisco museum focused on craft and design with rotating exhibitions and educational programs, operating a similar nonprofit model with comparable programming categories.
Emerging players
- Center for Craft: Asheville, NC-based national nonprofit supporting craft through grants, residencies, and research — overlapping with Craft Contemporary's craft-advocacy mission while operating more as a funder/research entity than a museum.
Broad incumbents
- American Craft Council: National nonprofit organization supporting contemporary American craft through publications, events, and resources — a broader ecosystem player with overlapping mission but different delivery model than a single-site museum.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Craft Contemporary social profiles
Digital presenceCraft Contemporary financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Craft Contemporary leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles9 records
Craft Contemporary funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Craft Contemporary M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Craft Contemporary
What does Craft Contemporary do?
Craft Contemporary is a non-collecting art museum in Los Angeles that presents rotating exhibitions of contemporary art made from craft media and processes. It complements exhibitions with hands-on educational programs (workshops, teen programs, school tours, adult programming), artist residencies, a tiered membership program, a curated retail shop featuring artisan-made items, and signature annual events including the benefit auction, CLAY LA ceramic marketplace, and Holiday Marketplace.
Is Craft Contemporary a public or private company?
Craft Contemporary is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Craft Contemporary founded?
Craft Contemporary was founded in 1973. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Craft Contemporary based?
Craft Contemporary is headquartered in Los Angeles, United States, in the North America region.
How does Craft Contemporary make money?
Six revenue lines are on record. Museum Admission is the primary driver. The others are membership Dues, donations and Contributions, shop Sales, benefit Auction and sponsorships.
Who are Craft Contemporary's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Bellevue Arts Museum, Society for Contemporary Craft, Contemporary Craft, Houston Center for Contemporary Craft, Museum of Arts and Design (MAD) and Museum of Craft and Design. Center for Craft is listed as an emerging player. American Craft Council is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Craft Contemporary have an API?
No public API is recorded for Craft Contemporary.
What industry is Craft Contemporary in?
Craft Contemporary's product category is Art Museum. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAMAAAD, Crafts & Maker Arts (Ceramics, Textiles, Jewelry, Mixed Media), with a secondary code of EDAAAGAB, Crafts & DIY (Paper, Fiber, Wood, Resin, DIY Projects). Its NAICS code is 712110 and its SIC code is 7990.