The museum of craft and design will present objects: USA, a major exhibition and program series examining the legacy and future of american craft during the nation's semiquincentennial

The Institute of Museum and Library Services awarded the Museum of Craft and Design $208,298 on September 1, 2026, under the Museums for America program (CFDA 45.301) to present Objects: USA, a major exhibition and program series examining the legacy and future of American craft during the nation's semiquincentennial.

The Museum will mount the exhibition and deliver approximately 25 public programs, including artist talks, hands-on workshops, family programs, and free activities at schools and libraries. The project incorporates accessibility features—haptic artworks, audio descriptions, and a virtual exhibition tour—to expand engagement for participants of all abilities. Primary beneficiaries include museum visitors, local artists, and community partners. Project outcomes are designed to increase visibility of Bay Area craft traditions and deepen public understanding of American craft history.

Performance runs through August 31, 2027, with work conducted in San Francisco, California. The Museum of Craft and Design, a tax-exempt nonprofit, operates as a prime recipient of federal grants focused on exhibitions, arts programming, and community art education serving underserved Bay Area populations.

The project will bring significant historic and contemporary craft objects into dialogue and engage audiences through approximately 25 public programs, including artist talks, hands-on workshops, family programs, and free activities at schools and libraries. Accessibility features, including haptic artworks, audio descriptions, and a virtual exhibition tour, will expand engagement opportunities for participants of all abilities. Primary beneficiaries include museum visitors, local artists, and community partners. Project outcomes include increased visibility of BAY area craft traditions and a deeper public understanding of the history of american craft.