Woodworker Pamela Weir-Quiton works with students during her exhibition at the Craft in America Center. (photo courtesy of Craft in America)

Craft in America has been approved for two Grant for Arts Projects awards: a $35,000 grant to support a Craft in Schools Education Program and a $20,000 grant to support an upcoming episode for PBS: “Craft in America: Jewelry.”

Craft in America is among the more than 1,100 projects across America totaling nearly $27 million that were selected during this second round of Grants for Arts Projects fiscal year 2021 funding.

“As the country and the arts sector begin to imagine returning to a post-pandemic world, the National Endowment for the Arts is proud to announce funding that will help arts organizations such as Craft in America reengage fully with partners and audiences,” NEA acting Chairman Ann Eilers said. “Although the arts have sustained many during the pandemic, the chance to gather with one another and share arts experiences is its own necessity and pleasure.”

“Craft in America feels a sense of gratitude and a commitment to the National Endowment for the Arts,” Executive Producer and Director of Craft in America Carol Sauvion said. “The NEA grant, used for post production, will allow the ‘Jewelry’ episode of our series to be completed and the valuable message of craft to be broadcast nationwide on PBS.”

The “Jewelry” episode will take viewers on a jeweler’s journey from age-old traditional techniques that employ precious metals and stones, to work that transforms the most mundane materials into new art forms.

The Craft in Schools Education Program will provide free field trips and art workshops to Los Angeles’ underserved K-12 schools.

“Every time I bring a group of students [they] really enjoy themselves. They get a chance to learn something that I’m not teaching in the classroom … The center has allowed the students to have opportunities that they may not have had otherwise,” said Ronieka Pinkney, a middle school art teacher.

The Craft in America Center is located at 8415 W. Third St. For information visit craftinamerica.org.