Craft and industry in the american south: weaving history into fashion and textile design education [this project enriches textile and design education at the wilson college of textiles by…

The National Endowment for the Humanities awarded North Carolina State University $150,000 on June 1, 2026, under the Promotion of the Humanities Teaching and Learning Resources and Curriculum Development program (CFDA 45.162) to support "Craft and Industry in the American South: Weaving History into Fashion and Textile Design Education."

The project enriches textile and design education at the Wilson College of Textiles by connecting students to the historical and humanistic dimensions of textile production in the American South. Deliverables include new course development, learning modules, faculty collaborations, and public programming that engage students with the history of textile production, Southern craft traditions, labor movements, and archival research. Partnerships with museums and historical societies provide experiential learning opportunities. A new course will examine how Southern craft and industry have shaped contemporary design practices. The project integrates technical education with humanities scholarship to foster historical awareness, critical inquiry, and cultural stewardship.

Performance runs through May 31, 2028, with work taking place in North Carolina.

Craft and industry in the american south: weaving history into fashion and textile design education [this project enriches textile and design education at the wilson college of textiles by connecting students to the historical and humanistic dimensions of textile production in the american south. Through new course development, learning modules, faculty collaborations, and public programming, IT will engage students with the history of textile production in the american south, southern craft traditions, labor movements, and archival research. Partnerships with museums and historical societies will provide experiential learning, while a new course will examine how southern craft and industry have shaped contemporary design practices. By connecting technical education with humanities scholarship, the project fosters deeper historical awareness, critical inquiry, and cultural stewardship.]