2026 CRITERIA

The Maine Craft Artist Awards recognize individuals whose dedication, achievement, and impact have made a significant contribution to craft in Maine. The award honors both a distinguished studio practice and meaningful service to the field, recognizing that an artist’s contribution to craft may be demonstrated through excellence in one area or through a combination of both.

In reviewing nominations, jurors are asked to consider the nominee’s full story: Who is this person, what have they accomplished, how are they dedicated to craft, and what impact have they had on the craft community in Maine?

Nominations should provide a clear and compelling picture of the nominee’s career through images of their work and supporting documentation such as resumes, CVs, portfolios, exhibition records, publications, awards, professional activities, and evidence of community and professional engagement.

STUDIO PRACTICE & IMPACT

A nominee’s studio practice may be demonstrated through a sustained body of work and a career characterized by artistic excellence, professionalism, and dedication to craft.  Jurors will consider:

• Excellence in Craftsmanship – A superior command of materials, techniques, and processes. The work is created with the highest standards of quality, and a command of the medium far beyond basic and intermediate proficiency skills: exceptional attention to detail, material use, technique, function, and form should demonstrate a high level of achievement. 
• Inspired Design –  Work that demonstrates thoughtful composition, resolution, innovation, and a sophisticated understanding of form, space, materials, and process. The work may surprise, challenge, intrigue, or create a meaningful and lasting experience for the viewer.
• A Singular Voice or Style – A distinctive artistic perspective developed through a sustained practice. The nominee’s work should reflect a conceptual richness, readily identifiable point of view, philosophy, or approach. The execution marks the individual’s work as distinctive. 
• Career and Professional Practice – Evidence of a sustained and committed career, including exhibition history, publications, professional accomplishments, and recognition. 
• Dedicated Career or Service to the Field – A demonstration of opportunities to further the practice of craft for others. Individuals whose actions have strengthened, supported, advanced, or advocated for craft and craft artists in Maine. This contribution may take many forms, including advocacy, mentorship, organizational support, teaching, increasing awareness, and meaningful commitment to the larger craft community. 

 2026 AWARD BENEFITS

• $10,000 honorarium generously provided by The Maxwell | Hanrahan Foundation
• Lifetime Professional MCA membership
• Artist-created award pin, designed to reflect the honoree
• Artist-created award certificate
• Recognition at the annual award presentation
• Special press release/website feature
• Solo Exhibition at Center for Maine Craft (SMC Retail Gallery)
• Invitation to teach at MCA Weekend Workshop at Haystack Mountain School of Crafts
• Invitation to exhibit at any scheduled Guild Fine Craft Shows (offered by Shop Maine Craft)
• Inclusion in anniversary exhibitions, such as 10-year, 20-year (to be announced)

NEWS & ANNOUNCMENTS

The Maine Crafts Association is the proud recipient of a charitable gift from the Maxwell|Hanrahan Foundation in support of the Maine Craft Artist Awards. We are honored to accept this grant to build upon the 17 year legacy of the award by offering new benefits to future recipients.

The mission of the Maxwell|Hanrahan Foundation is to support innovative people working in field-based science, art and craft, teaching and protection of the natural world.

Thanks to generous funding from The Maxwell|Hanrahan Foundation, the awardee will receive a $10,000 honorarium in addition to historical benefits and endorsements of the Maine Craft Artist Award.