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Craft Marketing Program
Kentucky Crafted: The Market 2007Celebrates 25th Anniversary, March 3-4
The 25th Anniversary of Kentucky Crafted: The Market is only weeks away. The doors will open to the general public March 3-4, and will again be held in Louisville at the Kentucky Fair and Exposition Center, South Wing B.
This national award-winning show is produced by Kentucky Craft Marketing (KCM), a program of the Kentucky Arts Council, and features approximately 300 exhibitors of contemporary and traditional craft, two-dimensional visual art, books, musical recordings, and “Kentucky Proud” food products as well as live performances on the Kentucky Cultural Stage and children’s educational craft activities (ages 4-12).
CMP staff is reporting increased interest and recognition based on reader nominations from a national on-line survey conducted by American Style Magazine. Kentucky Crafted: The Market ranked number one in the Top 10 Art Fairs and Festivals in the country. The Southeast Tourism Society has also named Kentucky Crafted: The Market as one of the Top Twenty Events in The Southeast for the twelfth time.
New for the 2007 Market will be a special 25th Anniversary Retrospective Exhibit sponsored by silver sponsor Brown-Forman and special lighting designed and furnished by Osram Sylvania. This informative display will feature original and long-time exhibitors of Kentucky Crafted: The Market, an historical overview of how the Market has grown since 1982 and the impact it has had on the growth of Kentucky’s craft industry.
Market shoppers will find 54 new exhibitors this year in six different exhibitor categories. The one-of-a kind Gallery section will be returning featuring more booths this year, totaling 67 exhibitors in this area.
The Osram Sylvania Designer Showcase will be created by interior design students from the University of Kentucky in conjunction with KCM and silver sponsor, Osram Sylvania. The students will arrange products from Market exhibitors to feature in room settings, illustrating how Kentucky’s impressive cache of art, craft, and other products can be used in everyday settings.
The Kentucky Arts Council (KAC) will promote the work of artists who have received Kentucky Arts Council Fellowships or who have been accepted into programs such as the Performing Arts on Tour Directory. The KAC booth will include the works of Kentucky artists in the form of recorded music and videos for sale. Live performance will be featured on the Cultural Stage for both Saturday and Sunday.
The Children and Family Traditions area will be presented by the Kentucky Historical Society, The Kentucky Museum of Art and Craft, and The Little Loomhouse. This area will offer children ages 4-12 opportunities in weaving, making stringed instruments, Japanese paper folding, and the art of Chinese paper cutting.
Kentucky’s craft industry contributes 252 million dollars to the state’s economy. An additional impact of 147 million dollars is realized through sales made outside of Kentucky. The Market is a collaborative effort among several state agencies and cabinets, which promote Kentucky’s rich cultural heritage while supporting the state’s economy and generates 2 to 3 million dollars in direct sales.
The Market is produced by Kentucky Craft Marketing, a program of the Kentucky Arts Council, a state agency in the Commerce Cabinet. For more information, call 888-KYCRAFT (592-7238), local (502) 564-3757, or visit our web site at: www.kycraft.ky.gov.
Come celebrate 25 years of quality and style!
Public Days March 3 - 4
Saturday, 9am - 6pm - Sunday, 10am - 5pm, (EST)
Adults $8 Children (ages 15 and under Free) Parking $5
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Since 1981, the Kentucky Craft Marketing’s purpose is to develop the state's craft industry, support and empower Kentucky artisans and craftspeople, create an economically viable environment for craft entrepreneurs, preserve the state's craft traditions, stimulate and support product development, and generate public awareness, public support and public/private partnerships.
The Program provides assistance to Kentucky residents, individuals, or groups wanting to develop as craft professionals through economic opportunities and training, to other outside entities (e.g., craft retailers, craft and art organizations, community and government agencies), and the general public. The craft industry in Kentucky contributes 252 million dollars in annual sales and Kentucky is recognized as a model state for its craft programs and its role in the $14 billion national craft industry.
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