1. Policy

Craft Alliance is a non-profit visual arts center dedicated to excellence in arts education and reaching a diverse public through instruction and exhibition of fine art in the craft media. We are committed to the education of people of all ages, to broad community outreach, and to the exhibition and sale of contemporary crafts in our gallery and shop.

The Craft Alliance gallery presents special exhibitions of fine contemporary crafts by emerging and established artists. The pieces for these shows are selected solely for their artistic merit. This is often a subjective, but always a very professional and purposeful determination by Craft Alliance. The education and introduction of contemporary craft art to new audiences and the continued education of collectors and supporters of contemporary craft art are the primary goals of the Craft Alliance gallery. A high priority is given to the display of the most contemporary and thought-provoking work.

Craft Alliance recognizes that contemporary craft art, like all forms of true artistic expression, may on occasion shock, offend, or challenge the viewer, and that an artist' s work may be controversial. However, Craft Alliance fully supports an artist's freedom of artistic expression, and because of this commitment, it can not engage in or condone any form of censorship. We ask our patrons to come to our gallery with an open eye, mind and heart.and we hope each visit will be an adventure of growth and enlightenment.

2. Procedure

The goal of the Freedom of Expression Policy is to communicate to the community Craft Alliance's belief in and support of freedom of expression in the creation of art.

The purpose of the procedures is to insure all staff and Board members are comfortable with the policy; we do not self-censor; and, we are prepared to deal with any situations that may arise.

The key to the successful implementation of the policy and procedures is communication.

The policy is posted in the gallery. It will be printed in the staff and the faculty manuals. The policy and procedures will be enclosed with all contracts with artists and curators. The policy and procedures will be made available upon request.

The policy will be shared with prospective Board and staff members. Discussion of the policy will be part of Board orientation and staff orientation

Annually, the President will appoint a committee of three staff to administer the procedures. The committee will consist of the Gallery Director and two other staff members with experience and training in art exhibition. If the Gallery Director is also the curator, an additional staff member will replace the Gallery Director for review of that exhibit.

The committee will review each exhibit. They will discuss with the curator any issues, which arise, making suggestions for placement of objects, signage, photography, etc. They will use two criteria: the artistic integrity of the pieces and the role the pieces play in addressing the theme of the exhibit. They will communicate their decision to the President for review. The decisions of the committee take precedence over the curator's recommendations. The decision of the President will be final. This procedure applies to both staff and guest curators.

The President is responsible for communicating any concerns to the Chairman of the Board for purposes of information before the opening of an exhibit. The President will be responsible for the administration of the procedures.

If the Chairman of the Board finds that the procedures have been correctly followed, the decision of the President shall stand. The Board review is of application of procedures only, not artistic merit.

The President and the Chairman of the Board may chose to seek legal advice at any point in the procedure.