The DesignAmerica Foundation Mission and Philosophy
The DesignAmerica Foundation, a non-profit organization, was founded in 2010 to promote, preserve and celebrate America’s spirit of independent art and design and the individual artisans, craftspeople and contemporary masters who have dedicated their lives to the creation of these works, perpetuating American ingenuity, creativity and tenacity upon which this country was built.
America, Still a Creative Powerhouse
In the last several decades, independent American artisans and designers at the pinnacle of their craft have been losing ground due to the economic downturn. DesignAmerica Foundation was founded to help combat this decline. It is the goal of DesignAmerica Foundation to form a dynamic community of American artisans and craftsmen, who, together as a group, can set a new standard for unsurpassed quality, creativity and passion, and help restore the belief in the United States as a designing and manufacturing powerhouse.
The DesignAmerica Community, Programs and Philanthropy
DesignAmerica has several programs in place to showcase America’s artisans and designers, opening new roads of possibilities for them, while at the same time, inspiring younger generations to embrace and nurture their creative talents.
Shows:
DesignAmerica will showcase these contemporary masters at special retail events to be held in major markets across the country, including New York, Dallas and Los Angeles. The DesignAmerica shows will provide these independent artisans unprecedented access to the mainstream market.
Mentorship and Apprenticeship Programs:
DesignAmerica, through its series of Mentorship Programs, aligns our community of existing artisans with young talent providing them the opportunity to experience bringing their creations to the world market, partnering them with experienced exhibitors at retail events.
Perpetuating the craft and traditions of independent world-class design can only be accomplished through education. DesignAmerica’s Apprenticeship Programs align new artisans with existing masters, providing them the opportunity to train with the best.
Education Programs:
For the artisan: DesignAmerica provides a community to share ideas and strategies, as well as, business and technical support, sales, marketing, and promotion guidance, and legal information.
For the public: DesignAmerica is creating an educational, outreach component for schools, community groups and the public in general. Using speakers and media events, we strive to educate and inform about the importance of the arts and skills represented by our members. With support from donations and sponsorships, DesignAmerica plans on producing entertaining and educational documentaries on specific arts and artisans for distribution through the Internet and public television. The goal is to bring craftsmen and their art to the attention of the public, and expose the public to these uniquely American artisans and their craft.
Scholarships and Grants:
The DesignAmerica Foundation is the philanthropic resource for America’s independent artisans and designers, both established and new. Through these special programs, DesignAmerica can provide the financial assistance necessary to help expand the existing businesses of established artisans and play an integral role in the fulfillment of the goals and dreams of America’s up-and-coming masters.
Support DesignAmerica
Taking back America for our independent contemporary masters is only possible through the ongoing support of the country in which they dream to thrive. The DesignAmerica Foundation will ensure, with your support, that the legacy of American ingenuity and creativity and it’s future masters of art and design, will thrive and once again have a place on the world’s stage, to evolve and endure for generations to come.
Sponsorship opportunities are also available.
For more information visit the DesignAmerica Sponsorship Page or download the DesignAmerica Sponsorship Form.
The DesignAmerica Foundation
833 N. Catalina
Pasadena, CA 91104
626-791-8310 TEL
626-296-6598 FAX
e: info@designamericafoundation.com
Executive Staff:
Jayne Skeff
Development, Events & Marketing
Robin Ireland
Administration and Education Programs
Yuliya Davtyan
Development, Grants and Fundraising
