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Minnesota

hen Minneapolis topped the list of eight cities vying for the honor to be the American Craft Council's new home, there was

some understandable head-scratching. What could the land of Lake Wobegon,

Fargo

and below-zero winters offer America’s

oldest and most venerable craft organization? But insiders already knew about the vibrant arts community, strong culture of

philanthropy and enviably high quality of life in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul. The move from New York also provides the

ACC with a more sustainable future, with the freedom to invest in its primary mission— to champion contemporary American craft

through its juried shows, bi-monthly

American Craft

magazine, education programs, and world-class research library.

ACC Executive Director Chris Amundsen has been able to hire an entirely new team of seasoned and enthusiastic staffers. They inhabit a

beautiful new space in the refurbished Grain Belt Brewery Building; the new offices are bright, expansive, and suffused with history and

industry. In addition to Amundsen, who exudes an air of classic Midwestern confidence and optimism, the new face of the ACC includes

Monica Moses, editor of

American Craft

magazine; Pamela Diamond, director of marketing & communications; and Gregory Grinley,

director of development. All are veterans of the arts world and share the intention to honor the Council’ s past while creating its future.

at on

Pictured left to right:

Julie Hanus

Senior Editor,

American Craft

Elizabeth Ryan

Interactive Media Specialist

Pamela Diamond

Director of Marketing & Communications

Chris Amundsen

Executive Director

Loretta Bernadette Nissen-Bell

American Craft Council Corgi

Alanna Nissen

Office Coordinator

Monica Moses

Editor in Chief,

American Craft

Bethany Whitehead

Development Associate

Jessica Shaykett

Librarian

Gregory Grinley

Director of Development

Joanne Smith

Advertising Sales Manager,

American Craft

Greg Allen