Inaugural prize to honor established and emerging artists, culminating in a summit at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art
November 11, 2025–March 1, 2026
The Spector Family Foundation, together with Glenn Adamson, celebrated curator and Jury Chairman of the Prize, announces the launch of the Spector Craft Prize and an inaugural partnership with Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art. The Spector Craft Prize is a transformative new initiative that seeks to reinforce American craft as a vital and enduring art form and nurture new generations of craft artists and makers.
Created by Abigail Klem Spector and Warren Spector, the Prize celebrates craft as a dynamic force in contemporary culture—one whose preservation is critical to the American creative tradition—and looks to establish a recognized platform for excellence across disciplines including ceramics, woodworking, glass, textiles, metalwork, paper arts, basketry, and more.
The initiative is multifold, with the Spector Craft Prize being awarded to a single established artist in the United States whose work exemplifies excellence in craft and a sustained commitment to the field. The Spector Craft Prize for Emerging Artists will recognize five early-career artists. Finally, the Spector Craft Summit will convene awardees, artists, curators, scholars, interior designers and the public in a vibrant exchange of ideas at that year’s host museum, strengthening the craft ecosystem by fostering intergenerational dialogue and community.
The recipient of the Spector Craft Prize will be acknowledged by the major acquisition of their work by that year’s host institution funded by the Spector Family Foundation, the keynote speaking slot at the annual conference, and a leadership role in mentoring emerging craft talent. The Emerging Artists awards seek to elevate five exceptional artists who have maintained a studio practice for seven years or fewer, awarding them with a 10,000 USD grant to support their practice, participation in the Spector Craft Summit, and additional mentorship and networking opportunities to ensure they have the tools to build their careers.
“In a world increasingly dominated by the virtual and mass-produced, the Spector Craft Prize restores focus to the material, the handmade—and the undeniably human story that runs through those works,” said prize co-creator Abigail Klem Spector. “We’re proud to work alongside museums and curators to support artists and safeguard the craft traditions that sustain our cultural identity.”
Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville, Arkansas will serve as the inaugural host museum for the Spector Craft Prize and Summit in 2026. Rooted in the American Heartland, Crystal Bridges is dedicated to telling the unfolding story of America through art—one that reflects the diversity of people, materials, and places that shape the nation. Long committed to advancing the role of craft in American art—and the recipient of a significant grant from the Windgate Foundation in 2020 to further champion the field—the museum’s collection includes important works by Consuelo Jimenez Underwood, Preston Singletary, Norm Sartorius, Toshiko Takaezu, Andy Paiko, Flo Perkins, and Betty Woodman among others, and recent exhibitions have explored the intersections of craft, cultural heritage, and material innovation. By hosting the inaugural Prize and acquiring a signature work for its permanent collection, Crystal Bridges reinforces its dedication to honoring makers whose work connects tradition, identity, and contemporary practice across America. Ahead of the Spector Craft Summit in November 2026, Crystal Bridges will debut a major expansion of the campus with the grand opening in June 2026.
“The story of American art cannot be told without the story of craft,” said Jen Padgett, Windgate Curator of Craft at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art. “Makers have long shaped the cultural, spiritual, and social fabric of communities across this country. The Spector Craft Prize is a bold investment in the artists who keep these traditions alive while pushing material practice into the future—and we are proud to help amplify their voices.”
Each year, recipients of the Spector Craft Prize and the Emerging Artists awards will be chosen through a rigorous and transparent selection process that reflects the highest standards of the field. Working closely alongside the Spector family for the 2026 edition is curator Glenn Adamson, who will lead the jury as Chairman.
“The Spector Craft Prize is such an exciting initiative, not least because it offers recognition to museums around the country who have already been doing so much to forward the cause of American craft,” said jury chairman Glenn Adamson. “I see it as an opportunity for gathering, mentoring, and thought-leadership—to legitimize and reinforce craft as a critical and vital force in our culture.”
The nomination and selection process is done through a collaboration between the host museum and a jury of esteemed craft leaders who bring deep expertise across disciplines and uphold the Prize’s commitment to diversity of perspectives and artistic excellence. The inaugural jury comprises a selection of established artists, curators, scholars, and critics including Glenn Adamson, Zesty Meyers, Rosanne Somerson, Roberto Lugo, and Jen Padgett. The Advisory Board of the Spector Craft Prize provides strategic direction and ensures the program’s continued integrity and impact. Current members include Jeanne Greenberg Rohatyn, Sarah Harrelson, Lisa Perry, Elissa Auther, Hannah Martin, Camille Okhio, Zoe Fisher, Peter Lane, Jeff Lincoln, Grela Orihuela, Deborah Needleman, Abraham Thomas, and Ari Wiseman.
Applications for the Spector Craft Prize for Emerging Artists is now open through March 1, 2026. Eligible artists must have maintained a studio practice for seven years or fewer. Full application details are available here and on the Spector Craft Prize website.
About the Spector Family Foundation
Established in 2005, the Spector Family Foundation is a private grantmaking organization dedicated to advancing the arts, education, and civic life. In launching the Spector Craft Prize in 2025, the Foundation reaffirms its commitment to preserving America’s rich craft heritage while empowering artists to push the field forward. Founders Abigail Klem Spector and Warren Spector bring decades of leadership in business, culture, and philanthropy to this effort, guided by a belief in the transformative power of the handmade. The Spector Craft Prize is an open invitation—to artists, institutions, collectors, and the public—to recognize the essential role of craft in American life. By investing in makers, preserving traditional practices, and fostering innovation, the Prize builds a future in which craft continues to inspire, endure, and connect. To learn more, visit spectorcraftprize.org.
Media contact: spectorcraftprize@dadagoldberg.com.
