As it continues investing in AI-powered discovery tools for shoppers, Etsy is also committing to the “deeply human act” of craft by investing $10 million over three years in a partnership with Center for Craft.
The Craft Catalyst Initiative directs funding toward craft hubs, or areas in the U.S. where makers, craft institutions and community organizations are concentrated.
“In an increasingly AI-driven and digitized world, human connection through craft is more essential than ever,” said Center for Craft Executive Director Stephanie Moore in a statement. “This initiative will fortify craft’s place by investing in the spaces, relationships and infrastructure that encourage artists, sustain creative careers and strengthen communities across the country.”
In its first round, the Craft Catalyst Initiative will invest $2 million in 20 nonprofit organizations in five craft communities. Each organization will receive a $100,000 unrestricted grant.
The first five craft hubs are:
- Asheville and Western N.C.
- The Bay Area, Calif.
- Berea and Eastern Ky.
- Greater Philadelphia
- Santa Fe and Northern N.M.
Leaders from recipient organizations will be invited to participate in a one-year program to collaborate and build more resilient support systems for makers.
Etsy’s marketplace is successful because of its sellers, according to a news post from Etsy announcing the initiative, so investing in the communities that support makers aligns with the company’s business goals.
“Making something by hand is a deeply human act,” reads the post. “It is a way people build skill, express who they are, stay connected to community and carry cultural knowledge and artistic traditions across generations.”
