What CraftNOW does

CraftNOW Philadelphia is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2015 that operates as the backbone institution uniting Philadelphia's craft ecosystem. The organization coordinates programming, promotion, and resource sharing across a network of 40+ institutional partners including the Philadelphia Museum of Art, The Clay Studio, the Museum for Art in Wood, the Fabric Workshop and Museum, and several leading art schools (Tyler School of Art, Moore College of Art & Design, University of the Arts). It serves four primary audiences: professional artists and makers seeking business support and visibility; arts institutions needing cross-organizational coordination; the general public and families accessing hands-on craft experiences; and real estate developers connecting with artisans through CraftBUILD.

The organization's product surface is organized around flagship programs rather than traditional software or product lines. Core programs include CraftMONTH (an annual November citywide celebration anchored to the PMA Craft Show), CraftNOW Create (hands-on workshops at venues such as the Kimmel Center and Smith Memorial Playground), the Symposium (annual educational conference), Tools of the Trades (three-day business conference co-hosted with NextFab), CraftECON (economic development initiatives including CapitalNOW and the Resource Directory), CraftBUILD (developer-artisan matchmaking with the Building Industry Association), the Directory of Artists and Makers, and youth education programs through summer camps and gap weeks with Philadelphia Parks & Recreation. The underlying technology consists of a content-managed website and online directories with no proprietary platform architecture or AI/ML components.

Revenue is generated entirely through nonprofit mechanisms: individual donations, corporate sponsorships, foundation grants (e.g., Windgate Foundation, Drexel Lenfest Center), and special event fundraising (CraftBLAST! auction). The organization operates with a small staff of 5-10 and an annual budget of approximately $400,000. Distribution is event-driven and partner-mediated, with social media (Facebook, Instagram) as the primary top-of-funnel channel and email, partner cross-promotion, and on-the-ground events as mid-funnel drivers.

Name

CraftNOW

Legal name

CraftNOW Philadelphia

Website

https://craftnowphila.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

CraftNOW Philadelphia is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit backbone organization that unites 40+ Philadelphia cultural institutions, museums, and art schools to support the city's craft community through events, education, directories, and economic development programs serving artists, families, and developers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Arts and Culture Nonprofit Services

NAICS

Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813), Fine Arts Schools (611610)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Arts, Sports & Recreation-Based Youth Development Nonprofits (BPAGADAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Arts & Crafts Workshops (Painting, Pottery, Ceramics, Sculpture) (THAJAKAA), Crafts & Maker Arts (Ceramics, Textiles, Jewelry, Mixed Media) (EDAMAAAD), Crafts & DIY (Paper, Fiber, Wood, Resin, DIY Projects) (EDAAAGAB)

Keywords

• Craft arts promotion
• Arts nonprofit organization
• Artisan community development
• Creative economy initiatives
• Maker education programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Philadelphia

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Direct fundraising from individuals who support the craft community mission, including annual fund campaigns and major donor cultivation.
2. Corporate Sponsorships: Sponsorship revenue from businesses seeking brand exposure through CraftNOW's network and signature events. Contact made through Interim Executive Director Emily Hawkins.
3. Foundation Grants: Grant funding from foundations supporting arts, culture, and economic development. Examples include Windgate Foundation (historic grants) and Drexel University Lenfest Center for Cultural Partnerships grants.
4. Special Events Revenue: Annual fundraising events including CraftBLAST! auction events featuring contributions from artists and organizations. Events generate both revenue and community engagement.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

CraftNOW Philadelphia is a nonprofit backbone organization that unites, celebrates, and supports Philadelphia's craft community through citywide programming such as CraftMONTH (annual November celebration), CraftNOW Create (hands-on craft activities), Tools of the Trades (annual business conference), CraftBUILD (developer-artisan matching), and CraftECON (economic development). It also operates online directories of artists, makers, studios, and markets, and delivers youth education programs including summer camps and gap-week sessions in partnership with Philadelphia Parks & Recreation.

Product overview

CraftNOW is a nonprofit organization that serves as the primary aggregator and promoter of Philadelphia's craft community rather than a traditional product company. The organization operates a platform-plus-programs model consisting of flagship initiatives including CraftNOW Create (hands-on craft activities), CraftMONTH (annual November celebration with exhibitions and symposium), CraftBUILD (developer-maker connections), CraftECON (economic development), Tools of the Trades (annual business conference), the Directory of Artists and Makers (online discovery platform), and the Symposium (educational programming). These programs are supplemented by CraftBLAST! (fundraising), summer camp and gap week youth education, and a Resource Directory for creative businesses. The organization functions as a backbone institution unifying museums, galleries, studios, educational institutions, and individual artists across the Philadelphia craft ecosystem.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• CraftECON: A series of programs focused on economic opportunity through craft, including Tools of the Trades conference, CapitalNOW virtual series, Resource Directory, and the Keystone Alliance for Creative Economies.
• CraftBUILD
• CraftNOW Artists and Makers Directory
• CraftNOW Studio Directory

Products and services

• CraftNOW Create Hands-on craft programming featuring interactive demonstrations and workshops where visitors participate in craft activities and create handmade objects. Offered at venues including the Kimmel Center, Smith Memorial Playground, and as part of summer camp programming with Philadelphia's Department of Parks and Recreation.
• CraftMONTH Annual citywide celebration throughout November coinciding with the Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show, featuring exhibitions, panel discussions, workshops, and events across multiple venues celebrating contemporary craft.
• CraftECON Economic development initiative focused on advancing the local craft and maker industry through programs including CapitalNOW, Resource Directory, CraftSUPPORT, and the Keystone Alliance for Creative Economies (KACE).
• CraftBUILD Program partnering with the Building Industry Association of Philadelphia (BIA) to connect the developer community with local makers and artisans for furniture, fixtures, and equipment (FF&E) suited for built environments.
• Tools of the Trades Annual conference and networking event hosted collaboratively by CraftNOW and NextFab for creative entrepreneurs, featuring business workshops, office hours, digital toolkits, and presentations.
• Directory of Artists and Makers Online directory showcasing local Philadelphia artists and makers across categories including ceramics, glass, jewelry, metalwork, mixed media, paper, textiles, wood, and leatherwork, illustrating why Philadelphia is a renowned urban center for contemporary craft.
• Symposium Annual educational symposium featuring keynote speakers, panel discussions, and presentations on craft-related topics, offered as both in-person and hybrid events.
• CraftBLAST! Annual fall fundraising event featuring an online auction of artwork from local artists and organizations to support CraftNOW programming.
• Summer Camp Programming Youth education programming offered in partnership with Philadelphia's Department of Parks and Recreation, providing immersive hands-on craft experiences at summer camps and gap week programs.
• Gap Weeks Programming Weeklong summer camps during gap periods between school sessions, providing inner-city youth opportunities to tour galleries and participate in craft activities with 16 participating camp partners.
• Resource Directory Growing list of professionals and organizations providing technical assistance and support services for creative businesses, including Legal & Insurance, Marketing & PR, Capital, Accounting, and Technical categories.
• CapitalNOW Virtual series focused on capital readiness providing creative entrepreneurs with understanding of grants, crowdfunding, and financing options and the business readiness required to secure investments.

Quantifiable outcome

• Reached nearly all 120 summer camps through Philadelphia Parks & Recreation partnership (2021)
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Philadelphia Department of CommercecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 February 2026The Department of Commerce, in partnership with Creative Philadelphia, celebrates the Fourth Annual Creative and Nighttime Economy Month throughout March 2026, featuring citywide panel discussions and workshops supporting creatives, entrepreneurs, and cultural workers. CraftNOW contributes to programming that advances Philadelphia's creative economy.
• The Clay StudiocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of the world's leading ceramic art institutions, The Clay Studio partners with CraftNOW on exhibitions, artist residencies featured in the directory, and collaborative programming during CraftMONTH.
• Philadelphia Museum of ArtcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe PMA partners with CraftNOW on the annual Craft Show (November) and CraftMONTH programming. CraftNOW Create and other events are held at Kimmel Center to complement the museum's show.
• The Center for Art in WoodcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Museum for Art in Wood partners on exhibitions and collaborative symposia with CraftNOW, including the Masters of Craft exhibition series.
• Smith Memorial Playground and PlayhousecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCraftNOW Create annual events are hosted at Smith Memorial Playground's campus, providing hands-on craft activities for youth and families in East Fairmount Park.
• NextFabcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNextFab co-hosts Tools of the Trades conference annually each March with CraftNOW, providing business resources for creative entrepreneurs through interactive presentations and office hours.
• The Fabric Workshop and MuseumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Fabric Workshop and Museum participates in CraftNOW exhibitions and programming as one of Philadelphia's leading contemporary craft institutions.
• Moore College of Art & DesigncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Galleries at Moore hosts CraftNOW's annual Symposium. Moore's position as the only art and design college for women in the country provides educational partnership opportunities.
• Philadelphia Department of Parks and RecreationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership enhances PPR's summer camps with craft activities from partner organizations, reaching nearly all 120 summer camps in 2021. Also partners on Playstreets program.
• Building Industry Association of Philadelphia (BIA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCraftBUILD is an evolving program in partnership with BIA uniting the developer community with local makers for furniture, fixtures, and equipment (FF&E) suited for built environments.
• Creative Business Accelerator (Pittsburgh)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCraftNOW entered yearlong consultation with Adam Kenney's team to design programs uniting creative businesses, increasing economic impact of artisanal sector, and supporting policies encouraging investment.
• Pennsylvania Council on the ArtscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated with Creative Business Accelerator and CraftNOW to establish the Keystone Alliance for Creative Economies (KACE), a statewide initiative sharing systems and best practices among Pennsylvania organizations.
• Drexel University Lenfest Center for Cultural PartnershipscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerReceived grant to hire full-time co-op student during Fall and Winter terms. Drexel students conducted public health research on arts programming impacts for youth.
• American Craft CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCraftNOW helped develop the ACC's 2019 annual conference in Philadelphia and hosted as a partner. The city is home to more ACC Fellows than any other city.
• Old City DistrictminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartners on Old City Craft Night and First Friday events, promoting neighborhood restaurants and retailers alongside craft programming.
• University of the ArtscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFiscal sponsor for CraftNOW from 2015 through December 2021, supporting the organization's nonprofit development. One of the few top art schools offering focus in all five craft media.
• Tyler School of Art, Temple UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRecognized as one of the nation's leading art programs offering BFA and MFA in Ceramics, Fibers, Glass, and Metals/Jewelry/CAD-CAM. Partners on symposiums and hosts board member Doug Bucci.
• FAIMER (Foundation for Advancement of International Medical Education and Research)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFAIMER partnered with CraftNOW to present the Global Health Matters Forum, bringing together Philadelphia's maker community with health professionals from over 20 countries.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Regional players

• Pittsburgh Glass Center: Pittsburgh-based craft education nonprofit offering classes, residencies, and exhibitions in glass and other media. Comparable as a regional craft organization serving as a local convenor — and a likely partner/peer through the Keystone Alliance for Creative Economies (KACE) collaboration.
• Pittsburgh Center for Creative Reuse: Pittsburgh nonprofit advancing creative reuse and craft-based community programming, aligned with the Keystone Alliance for Creative Economies. Comparable as a Pennsylvania-based craft/community nonprofit partner addressing similar economic development themes through CraftNOW's CraftECON initiative.

Direct peers

• Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts: Gatlinburg, Tennessee-based arts and crafts school offering workshops, residencies, and conferences in ceramics, fiber, glass, wood, and metal. Comparable for its educational programming for artists, students, and the general public, similar in mission to CraftNOW's educational programs.
• Penland School of Craft: Residential craft education school offering workshops in ceramics, glass, wood, fibers, and metal. Comparable for its craft-focused workshops, community programming, and artist-support services — directly parallel to CraftNOW's Tools of the Trades conference and CraftNOW Create workshops.
• Haystack Mountain School of Crafts: Liberty, Maine-based craft school providing immersive workshops across multiple craft media. Comparable as a nonprofit craft education institution supporting makers, hosting summer programming, and contributing to the broader U.S. craft ecosystem.
• Center for Craft: National nonprofit headquartered in Asheville, NC that supports craft through research, fellowships, and advocacy. Comparable as a nonprofit backbone advancing craft through grants, thought leadership, and convening — a national analog to CraftNOW's Philadelphia convening role.

Broad incumbents

• Museum of Arts and Design: Manhattan-based museum dedicated to creativity in craft, art, and design with exhibitions, educational programming, and special events. Comparable as a leading cultural institution showcasing craft artists — on par with the Philadelphia Museum of Art partnership at the heart of CraftNOW's CraftMONTH programming.
• American Craft Council: National craft organization operating the largest U.S. craft library, ACC Fellows program, and conferences. Broad incumbent in the same craft ecosystem CraftNOW serves locally; Philadelphia hosts the highest concentration of ACC Fellows, so the two organizations are inherently aligned with shared audiences.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/craftnowphl
• Facebookfacebook.com/CraftNOWPHL
• Instagraminstagram.com/craftnowphl
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/craftnow

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about CraftNOW