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HandMade in America's mission is realized through innovative programs designed to make the invisible VISABLE:
Our Mission is:
to celebrate the hand and the handmade, to nurture
the creation of traditional and contemporary craft, to revere and protect our resources, and to
preserve and enrich the spiritual, cultural and community life of our region.
And, as we measure the appropriateness of our programs and projects, our twenty-year goals lead the way in:
Developing community strategies that will collectively enhance Western North Carolina's role nationally and
internationally within the handmade field.
Establishing an academic base to promote crafts throughout all levels of education as objects, subject and process.
Developing a communications plan that establishes Western North Carolina's role as the center for HandMade in America.
Implementing environmentally sustainable economic strategies for Western North Carolina that emphasize the handmade
industry.
Implementing strategies that will enhance opportunities for handmade object makers within Western North Carolina, and
Encouraging the public, private and nonprofit sectors to develop independent and interdependent vehicles that build the
handmade industry.
Our Guiding Principles are consistently valuable in structuring programs and the benefit of our region
and to the accomplishment of our mission.
For every question or opportunity posed, we ask: Is it...
Inclusive? All work of HandMade In America is inclusive. Everyone is welcome to participate from the first-time
hobbyist to the full-time, one-of-a-kind design professional craftsmen, and any interested citizen of the region.
Collaborative? All projects are done in partnership with other organizations and institutions, and all funding is
written jointly or in the partner's name.
Regional? All communities come equally to the table in resources. Meetings are held throughout the region, and board
members represent the region.
Sustainable Community Development? HandMade is sustainable community development. No outside consultants or
businesses are used. The people of the region serve as their own best resource. HandMade is focused on long-term
solutions, hence a twenty-year strategic plan.
Community-Based? All HandMade In America projects are community-based. Each community defines its needs,
resources and how it fits into the strategic plan.
Self-Sustaining? HandMade is self-sustaining. All projects must fit into the operation of an ongoing institution
or organization, or be financially self-sustaining.
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