ABOUT US

We’re artists, advocates, and changemakers joining together to dismantle barriers and expand opportunities for Black and Brown artists in craft, art, and design

OUR VISION FOR THE FUTURE

A creative world where artists of color have full access to education, networks, and opportunities—not as an exception, but as the norm.

We envision a future where representation in art, craft, and design reflects the rich diversity of our communities, where barriers have been dismantled and every artist has the support they need to thrive.

The Future We're Building

At Crafting the Future, we’re broadening the perspectives of the fields of visual art, craft, and design to build a creative landscape where artists of color have full access to education, networks, and opportunities—not as an exception, but as the norm. We envision a world where:

Access is Universal

Systemic barriers have been dismantled; generational wealth doesn’t determine who gets to pursue their artistic dreams; and every artist has the support they need to thrive.

Representation is the Standard

The artistic landscape reflects the rich diversity of our communities.

Support is Ongoing

Artists receive the resources they need not just to enter the field, but to build sustainable, thriving careers

Community is Strength

Artists lift each other up through collaboration, not competition

This isn't just rhetoric—it's our roadmap. Every program we create, every partnership we forge, and every dollar we invest moves us closer to this vision.

Why this Matters

The creative fields have a diversity problem—not because of a lack of talented Black and Brown artists, but because of systemic barriers that have excluded these communities for generations.

Consider these realities:

Artists of color often lack access to expensive educational programs and workshops
Professional networks in creative fields remain predominantly white
Studio space and materials represent significant financial barriers—in Los Angeles alone, around 50% of Black and Latinx artists lack studio space, compared to 24% of white artists
Youth from underrepresented communities may not even know creative careers are possible without visible role models

These aren't problems that will solve themselves. They require intentional intervention, targeted resources, and sustained commitment. That's exactly what Crafting the Future provides.

OUR STORY: FROM FRUSTRATION TO ACTION

Crafting the Future was born

from a simple frustration: feeling helpless to create change as individuals. In 2018, a group of like-minded artists at Penland School of Craft, led by Annie Evelyn and Corey Pemberton, asked a powerful question: What if we stopped feeling helpless and started acting together?

We saw talented artists of

color facing barriers we never should have accepted as normal—limited access to education, few mentors who looked like them, and networks that seemed impossible to break into. We knew the creative fields needed more diversity, but diversity doesn't just happen. It requires intentional action and systemic support.

What started as a grassroots

effort to send a few students to craft schools has evolved into a national movement. Today, we partner with youth arts organizations and institutions across the country, providing scholarships, residencies, grants, and a thriving network that celebrates and supports artists of color at every career stage.

Timeline

Key Moments from 2018 to Present

2019

Crafting the Future forms and raises funds to send two students from YAYA, New Orleans, LA to Penland School of Craft.

2020

As the nation took notice of the racial injustice in our country, the CTF community overwhelmingly grew.

(George Floyd portrait by artist Laila James).

2021

CTF continues to grow and establishes a headquarters in Los Angeles which doubles as a studio for a newly found local residency.

2022

CTF Futurists becomes the new model for memberships. Futurists are recurring monthly donors who support scholarships, residencies, and events for artists of color.

OUR CORE VALUES

We acknowledge that equal opportunity means nothing without equal access. Our programs are intentionally designed for communities that have been denied access to creative fields. We center these voices in our work and are proud to fill gaps that have existed for too long.

By intentionally amplifying the voices of artists of color and celebrating their brilliance, we show the next generation that this is a world where they belong and can explore their own potential. When young artists see people who look like them thriving and finding joy in their craft, they understand what is possible. Representation isn’t just important – it’s revolutionary.

The myth of the isolated artist doesn't serve anyone, especially those without inherited networks. We build community first because we know that collective action creates lasting change. When artists connect, collaborate, and support each other, we all rise. We model this by sharing our blueprint, inviting the wider art world to share in this work.

Scholarships alone aren't enough. Residencies without mentorship fall short. We provide wraparound support that addresses the full reality of what artists need: financial resources, studio space, professional connections, emotional support, and celebration.

Good intentions don’t change systems. We prioritize tangible, direct impact. We mobilize our network to clear the path, empowering artists to define their own futures. We are doing the work to make this happen now, moving with urgency because our community has waited long enough. We challenge our colleagues and partners to act alongside us.

THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE MISSION

Our team brings together creative professionals, nonprofit leaders, and community organizers who do not just believe in this work—we live it. Many of us are makers ourselves who have experienced firsthand the barriers we are working to dismantle.