Getting in Touch with Touchstone Center for Crafts: Arts Organization Spotlight
Vacation on your mind? We’re thinking about Touchstone Center for Crafts, a craft school immersed in the beautiful mountains of the Laurel Highlands. They have uncovered three arts administration takeaways from the pandemic that shouldn’t be missed. Read up on these tips, and all of the incredible programming happening in the beauty of nature, in this month’s Arts Organization Spotlight.
Touchstone Center for Crafts is a nationally recognized craft school located one and a half hours from Pittsburgh. Touchstone offers a unique getaway for beginner to experienced artists. With 7 fully equipped studios on 150-acres, Touchstone offers the perfect setting to immerse yourself in your craft, try something new, realize and expand your creative potential, be inspired by nature, and the opportunity to be part of a creative community.
Did how you manifest your mission change a lot during the pandemic and are you anticipating change again, soon? How do you manifest your mission now?
Our staff and board looked at our programming and thoughtfully considered how we can continue to advance our mission during the pandemic. We didn’t jump right into anything, but instead took the time to do it thoughtfully.
The first thing we did was to ask our network of professional and teaching artists what they need. From these discussions, artist happy hours were formed, artist residencies were reimagined, and virtual workshops offered. During 2020, we continued with our internship program, offering emerging artists professional development opportunities and the chance to give virtual demonstrations from the studios. Our virtual offerings will continue, giving us the opportunity to continue to reach a wider audience.
We realized that many people need to see what it’s like to experience Touchstone in order to break down barriers to participation. In 2020 we held our first ‘Virtual’ Open House, involving over 30 artists and organizations. Our 2021 Open House will again be offered virtually on October, 2nd with all new demonstrations, artist talks, tours, and exhibitions.
Has there been a favorite workshop for staff and guests recently?
We’ve noticed that people are ready to get out and start doing things again. Our recent plein air painting event had three times as many participants as we anticipated, and many of our 2021 workshops are already at capacity. There is still time to register for a workshop, starting in late June and running through September.
Teen Week (July 18-23) and Educators’ Retreat (July 27-31) are our most popular weeks of programming. This year, we’re especially excited about a free paper-making workshop we’re offering to veterans and family members from August 9th to the 13th. Frontline Arts, a veteran-run organization from New Jersey will be leading this 5-day workshop where participants transform swatches from uniforms into works of art while sharing stories and building community.
What do you think arts administrators could best learn from your recent practices at Touchstone?
Ask your community what they need, don’t just assume or do something just to do it. Sometimes you have to try and fail to know what works. Being restricted with what we could offer onsite in 2020 provided the opportunity for us to increase accessibility and inclusivity. We can continue to use these newfound tools to alter the way we offer in-person and virtual programs and manifest our mission moving forward.
Partner with other organizations. Each of our staff members has participated on committees through the Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council’s Museum and Cultural Organizations cohort. This has been an invaluable resource for advancing equity & inclusion initiatives, communication efforts, and visitor safety concerns. It has also opened the door for valuable partnerships with other organizations.
Most of all, enjoy doing what you do. Participate in one of your own workshops, enjoy a performance or exhibition. At Touchstone, we enjoy watching how others become inspired by our instructors, by learning new techniques or collaborating with other participants and this motivates us in our own practice and inspires us to continue to advance our mission.
How can patrons best enjoy and support your programming?
- Take a workshop, try a new medium, or consider an artist residency. A limited number of scholarships may still be available for select workshops for veterans, immediate family members of veterans, BIPOC individuals, and members of Associated Artists of Pittsburgh.
- Visit our professional galleries. 2021 exhibitions include our 2021 Workshop Instructors (May 29-July 24), Women of Visions (July 31-Oct 2), along with two exhibitions featuring artists from Associated Artists of Pittsburgh.
- Contribute to our scholarship fund. In 2021, we plan to award over $50,000 in scholarship support to veterans, teens & educators, BIPOC individuals, emerging artists, and more.
- Sponsor the 2021 Virtual Open House! You can commit your studio, business, or organization. For more information, emails us or call us at (724)-329-1370.
You can find Touchstone Center for Crafts on their...
- Website at touchstonecrafts.org
- Instagram Profile
- Facebook Page