Tennessee Craft
Tennessee Craft is a 60-year-old Nashville-based nonprofit that promotes Tennessee's fine craft movement through annual juried fairs, educational programs, exhibitions, and statewide chapter networking for artists, members, and the public.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1965
- HeadquartersNashville, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Tennessee Craft does
Tennessee Craft is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1965 and headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee, that serves as the statewide body championing the fine craft movement across Tennessee. The organization's primary constituents are craft artists working in mediums such as clay, wood, fiber, metal, glass, and jewelry, as well as the general public, arts educators, and institutional partners. It operates a portfolio of events and programs including two major annual juried craft fairs at Nashville's Centennial Park (Spring and Fall), a biennial Best of Tennessee Craft exhibition, statewide member exhibitions at partner venues, and educational programs such as the Lunch & Learn series, workshops, and live craft demonstrations.
Its core programmatic offerings include the Master Artist Apprentice Program (MAAP) delivered in partnership with the Tennessee Arts Commission, the Emerging Artist Program for developing makers, scholarships, a multi-region chapter network (East, Midstate, Northeast, Plateau, Southeast), and research-driven projects such as Crafting Blackness. The underlying technology stack is minimal and consumer-grade: Zoom for virtual workshops, YouTube for digital craft demonstrations, and a standard website (tennesseecraft.org) for membership, event, and artist directory information. The organization also participates in Tennessee's specialty Arts Plate license plate program, which funds approximately 80% of state arts grants.
Tennessee Craft's business model is a diversified nonprofit revenue mix: recurring membership fees, individual and institutional donations, craft fair application and booth fees, and corporate sponsorships (including Publix Super Markets Charities' sponsorship of the Kids' Tent and support from the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee). The organization employs 1–10 staff, reaches an estimated 45,000 visitors per year at its craft fairs, and serves approximately 200 exhibiting artists per fair, with ~95% of Tennessee counties ultimately touched through the Arts Plate grant pipeline.
Tennessee Craft firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Tennessee Craft
- Legal name
- Tennessee Craft
- Website
- https://tennesseecraft.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1965
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Tennessee Craft is a 60-year-old Nashville-based nonprofit that promotes Tennessee's fine craft movement through annual juried fairs, educational programs, exhibitions, and statewide chapter networking for artists, members, and the public.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Tennessee Craft industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Arts and Cultural Nonprofit / Fine Craft Organization
- NAICS
- Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation (71)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Cultural Centers & Community Cultural Organizations (BPAGAHAD)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Crafts & Maker Arts (Ceramics, Textiles, Jewelry, Mixed Media) (EDAMAAAD), Arts & Crafts Workshops (Painting, Pottery, Ceramics, Sculpture) (THAJAKAA), Traditional & Indigenous Crafts Lessons (Heritage Skills, Folk Arts) (THAJAKAH)
Keywords
Where Tennessee Craft is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Nashville
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Tennessee Craft business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Membership Fees: Annual membership fees for artists and supporters providing access to programs, resources, exhibition opportunities, and craft fair participation.
- Donations: Charitable donations from individuals and organizations supporting the fine craft movement and handmade traditions.
- Craft Fair Participation Fees: Application and booth fees from artists participating in juried craft fairs.
- Sponsorships: Corporate sponsorships from businesses promoting to craft fair attendees, including sponsorship packages with booth spaces.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
Tennessee Craft product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Tennessee Craft is a nonprofit arts organization that supports and promotes the fine craft movement in Tennessee by producing an annual statewide craft fair, hosting juried member exhibitions, and delivering craft education and mentorship programs for artists and the public. It aggregates roughly 200 juried artists and an estimated 45,000 visitors through its fair, and partners with cultural institutions such as the Customs House Museum & Cultural Center to extend programming statewide.
Product overview
Tennessee Craft operates as a nonprofit arts organization offering a comprehensive portfolio of programs and events supporting the fine craft movement in Tennessee. The core offerings include two major annual craft fairs (Spring and Fall) held at Nashville's Centennial Park, the biennial Best of Tennessee Craft exhibition, and statewide member exhibitions. Supporting programs include the Emerging Artist Program (formerly Emerging Makers Tent) providing mentorship for developing artists, the Master Artist Apprentice Program (MAAP) in partnership with the Tennessee Arts Commission, educational workshops, the Lunch & Learn Series, scholarships, and live demonstrations. Additional initiatives include Tennessee Craft Week, the Crafting Blackness project exploring Black craft artists' history, the Kids' Tent family program, regional chapters, and the License Plate Program supporting statewide arts funding. The organization functions primarily as an event and program provider rather than a technology product company.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Tennessee Craft Fair An annual spring craft fair, hosted since 1975 and ranked among the top 25 craft fairs in the United States, featuring approximately 200 juried fine craft artists and drawing an estimated 45,000 visitors. Designed for artists seeking exhibition and sales opportunities and for members of the public seeking to purchase handmade work and engage with craft education.
- Juried Member Exhibition An annual juried exhibition of work by Tennessee Craft artist members, hosted in partnership with cultural institutions such as the Customs House Museum & Cultural Center. Designed for member artists seeking exhibition opportunities and for the public to view juried fine craft.
- Mentoring and Apprenticeship Program (MAAP) A flagship skills-transfer program pairing experienced craft artists as mentors with mentees to teach traditional and contemporary craft techniques across disciplines. Designed for fine craft artists seeking mentorship and for emerging makers seeking craft-specific education.
- Lunch & Learn educational sessions Educational sessions for Tennessee Craft members delivered virtually via Zoom, covering craft-specific topics such as business strategy for fine craft artists. Designed for artist members seeking continuing education.
- Kids' Tent activities Hands-on craft activities for children held at the Tennessee Craft Fair, designed to expose young attendees to fine craft techniques and materials.
- Live craft demonstrations Live demonstrations of craft techniques, such as woodturning, presented to fair attendees with select demonstrations broadcast via YouTube. Designed for members of the public interested in learning about craft processes.
Companies that use Tennessee Craft
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Tennessee Craft technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Tennessee Craft partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
22 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.
- Arrowmont School of Arts and CraftscoreArrowmont School of Arts and Crafts provides generous support for Tennessee Craft's Lunch & Learn Series professional development workshops. Arrowmont has a century-long commitment to providing educational arts programming in Appalachia, hosting over 200 creative experiences each year.
- Tennessee Arts CommissioncoreThe Tennessee Arts Commission partners with Tennessee Craft on the Master Artist Apprentice Program (MAAP), encouraging and investing in the continuation and advancement of craft in Tennessee by recognizing master craft artists and supporting apprentice relationships to preserve the state's cultural heritage.
- Metro Arts NashvillecoreMetro Arts Nashville provides funding and support for Tennessee Craft's craft fairs and programs as the local arts agency for Nashville.
- Publix Super Markets CharitiescorePublix Super Markets Charities sponsors the Kids' Tent at Tennessee Craft Fairs, providing hands-on craft activities for children at the annual events.
- The Community Foundation of Middle TennesseemajorThe Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee supports Tennessee Craft events and programs as a philanthropic partner.
- Pryor Art Gallery at Columbia State Community CollegemajorHost venue for Tennessee Craft 2025 Member Exhibition, providing public visibility and recognition for member artists.
- Customs House Museum and Cultural CentermajorHost venue for Tennessee Craft 2023 Member Exhibition in Clarksville, TN.
- Tennessee Tech Appalachian Center for CraftmajorHost venue for 2024 MAAP Exhibition, celebrating the 15th year of the Master Artist Apprentice Program partnership.
- Cheekwood Estate & GardensminorCheekwood serves as a venue for craft demonstrations, providing educational programming for visitors.
- Country Music Hall of Fame and MuseumminorPartner organization providing craft activities for the Kids' Tent at Tennessee Craft Fairs.
- Frist Art MuseumminorPartner providing educational programming for the Kids' Tent craft activities.
- Nashville Public Library - Puppet TruckminorNashville Public Library Puppet Truck performs at Kids' Tent, presenting puppet shows featuring classic tales and educational stories.
- Belmont/Watkins Community EducationminorEducational partner providing art instruction and craft projects for the Kids' Tent.
- Hatch Show PrintminorHistoric Nashville letterpress print shop providing craft activities and promoting the craft fair.
- The Clay Lady's Co-op and GalleriesminorLocal clay artist cooperative providing live demonstrations at craft fairs.
- Tennessee Association of WoodturnersminorWoodturning organization providing live demonstrations at Tennessee Craft Fairs.
- Tennessee State MuseumminorPartner for Kids' Tent craft activities, providing educational programming.
- Tennessee State University - M-SPARminorMcGruder Social Practice Artist Residency program partner for community arts programming.
- Turnip Green Creative ReuseminorCreative reuse organization providing craft activities and materials for Kids' Tent.
- Chinese Arts Alliance of NashvilleminorPartner organization providing multicultural arts programming and activities for craft fairs.
- Daybreak ArtsminorLocal arts organization partner for Nashville arts programming.
- North Nashville Arts CoalitionminorLocal arts coalition supporting and promoting North Nashville arts community.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Tennessee Craft competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- Etsy: An online marketplace where craft artists sell directly to consumers. Comparable as a complementary distribution channel for the same end-customer base, though it competes with brick-and-mortar craft fairs for maker mindshare.
- Appalachian Center for Craft (Tennessee Tech): A Tennessee Tech-operated craft education center and MAAP exhibition host; comparable as an educational institution focused on craft traditions in the same state and ecosystem.
Regional players
- Cheekwood Estate & Gardens: A Nashville-based arts, garden, and cultural venue that hosts Tennessee Craft demonstrations; comparable as a regional nonprofit presenting arts programming and exhibitions to overlapping Nashville audiences.
- Frist Art Museum: A Nashville art museum and Kids' Tent partner; comparable as a regional nonprofit cultural institution delivering arts programming to the same Nashville community.
- Customs House Museum and Cultural Center: A Clarksville, TN museum and 2023 member exhibition host; comparable as a regional Tennessee cultural venue that partners with Tennessee Craft and serves overlapping audiences.
Direct peers
- Southern Highland Craft Guild: A nonprofit craft guild representing artists of the Southern Appalachians through fairs, shops, and educational programs — directly comparable in mission, scale, and craft-fair-driven model.
- Carolina Craft: A direct peer as another state-level nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting fine craft artists through fairs, exhibitions, and educational programs in its region.
- Kentucky Crafted: A direct peer state arts/craft program that markets and sells fine craft work by state residents through fairs, exhibitions, and retail programs, comparable in mission and operation.
Broad incumbents
- Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts: A 100+ year-old Gatlinburg, Tennessee-based arts and crafts school and a core Tennessee Craft partner; comparable as a long-standing nonprofit arts education provider in the same geography.
- Tennessee Arts Commission: The state-level public arts funding agency that partners with Tennessee Craft on MAAP and channels arts grants statewide; a comparable stakeholder in Tennessee's arts ecosystem, though mission is government funding rather than direct craft programming.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Tennessee Craft social profiles
Digital presenceTennessee Craft financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Tennessee Craft leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
Tennessee Craft funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Tennessee Craft 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 Tennessee Craft
What does Tennessee Craft do?
Tennessee Craft is a nonprofit arts organization that supports and promotes the fine craft movement in Tennessee by producing an annual statewide craft fair, hosting juried member exhibitions, and delivering craft education and mentorship programs for artists and the public. It aggregates roughly 200 juried artists and an estimated 45,000 visitors through its fair, and partners with cultural institutions such as the Customs House Museum & Cultural Center to extend programming statewide.
Is Tennessee Craft a public or private company?
Tennessee Craft is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Tennessee Craft founded?
Tennessee Craft was founded in 1965. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Tennessee Craft based?
Tennessee Craft is headquartered in Nashville, United States, in the North America region.
How does Tennessee Craft make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Membership Fees are the primary driver. The others are donations, craft Fair Participation Fees and sponsorships.
Who are Tennessee Craft's main competitors?
Emerging players on record are Etsy and Appalachian Center for Craft (Tennessee Tech). Regional players are Cheekwood Estate & Gardens, Frist Art Museum and Customs House Museum and Cultural Center. Direct peers are Southern Highland Craft Guild, Carolina Craft and Kentucky Crafted. Broad incumbents are Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts and Tennessee Arts Commission.
Does Tennessee Craft have an API?
No public API is recorded for Tennessee Craft.
What industry is Tennessee Craft in?
Tennessee Craft's product category is Arts and Cultural Nonprofit / Fine Craft Organization. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAHAD, Cultural Centers & Community Cultural Organizations, with a secondary code of EDAMAAAD, Crafts & Maker Arts (Ceramics, Textiles, Jewelry, Mixed Media). Its NAICS code is 71.