We Are...

collectors, artists, educators, gallery and museum professionals and others who share a passion for contemporary American craft.

JRACraft is a vibrant group of art enthusiasts, collectors, artists, educators, students and art professionals who share a passion for contemporary American craft.  Our members enjoy a diverse year round schedule of programs including, social events, educational lectures and tours, and art-inspired excursions.

We are committed to advancing scholarship, education and public appreciation of craft art as well as promoting individual achievements of excellence and innovation in the craft field.  As an independent non-profit organization, the JRACraft has provided more than $3 million for acquisitions, exhibitions, public programs, and publications to Smithsonian American Art Museum’s Renwick Gallery – our nation’s showcase of contemporary American craft.

Become a part of the JRACraft family and experience all that we have to offer.

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Our Mission...

The James Renwick Alliance for Craft celebrates and advances American Craft and craft artists by fostering education, connoisseurship, and public appreciation through programs, educational trips, publications, and recognition of excellence in the field.  In addition, we provide support to craft artists and museums, including the Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian American Art Museum. 

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Board & Staff

​The James Renwick Alliance for Craft is a membership-based, non-profit organization founded in 1982. We accomplish our goals through the determined efforts of paid staff and an active, working board and membership.

STAFF

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Jaimianne Jacobin, Executive Director
Jaimianne@jra.org

​Inga Bragadottir, Marketing & Operations Coordinator
Inga@jra.org

Erica Warren, Quarterly Editor
​Editor@jra.org

BOARD OFFICERS

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Rebecca Ravenal, President
Tim Tate, Vice President for Programs
Barbara Wolanin, Secretary

MEMBERS OF THE BOARD

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Janice Berger
Ana Maria Castro
Diane Charnov
Elizabeth Doyle
Karen Fagelson
Carol Green
​J.G Harrington
Reba Immergut
Caroline Kipp
Mallory Lawson
Sandy Mitchell
Amanda Phillips
Radhika "Ronnie" Raju
Chris Rifkin
Susan Sanders
Anne Swanson
Tim Tate
​Jacqueline Urow
Barbara Wolanin

PAST PRESIDENTS

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J.G. Harrington (2020-2022)
​Michele A. Manatt (2018 - 2020)
Jackie Urow (2016 - 2018)
Giselle Huberman (2013 - 2016)
Clemmer Montague (2010 - 2013)
Miriam Ellsworth (2009 - 2010)
Anne Mehringer (2007 - 2009)
Diane Grainer (2005 - 2007)
John Kotelly (2003 - 2005)
Norman Mitchell (2001 - 2003)
David Montague* (1999-2001)
Susan Bralove (1997 - 1999)
Barbara Berlin (1995 - 1997)
Paul Parkman (1993 -1995)
Mel Eagle (1991 - 1993)
Jerome Paulson (1989 -1991)
Roger Kuhn* (1986 - 1989)
Elmerina Parkman (1984 - 1986)
Charles Gailis​* (1982-1984)

​Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility

​The James Renwick Alliance for Craft is committed to a future of diversity, inclusion, equity, and accessibility in American Craft. This includes creating a space where all board members, staff and members feel respected and valued regardless of gender, age, race, ethnicity, national origin, sexual orientation or identity, disability, educational level, or any other bias.
 
As a part of this effort, we acknowledge our need to focus on ensuring diversity in all facets of our organization.  We pledge to invest in equity, and inclusion through our leadership, programs, educational trips, publications, and recognition of excellence in the field.  Our efforts include the following:

• In planning and organizing programs, we seek diverse perspectives and look for opportunities to include underrepresented artists and arts professionals from diverse backgrounds.
• We work to make our programming available to diverse audiences, and to reach out to underrepresented communities in promoting and distributing our programming.
• Our process for selecting awardees is designed to ensure inclusion and consideration of  people from diverse and underrepresented communities.
• We seek to ensure that financial support we provide for craft-related activities will advance diversity, inclusion, equity, and accessibility.
• We seek diversity in our staffing, including our paid internship program, and on our board.
• We work to identify and eliminate barriers of all kinds that affect participation in our organization and in the wider craft community, including barriers to participation by people with disabilities.
• In all of these efforts, we recognize that underrepresentation varies within different elements of the craft community.

 
We respect and  value what diverse life experiences bring to the field of American Craft.   While JRACraft has made significant progress towards meeting these objectives, we recognize that ongoing and conscious effort to maintain and extend our progress in these areas is required.
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