Vision
The Maine Crafts Association acts to strengthen individual craft artists, Maine communities, local economies, and the visitor experience by making Maine a national crafts destination.

Mission
The Maine Crafts Association promotes education, understanding, and appreciation of the work of Maine craft artists and their importance in Maine's rich and varied economies and distinctive communities. MCA increases communication between artisans and sponsors programs that will assist them.

Values
The MCA defines itself as a creative, passionate, and honest organization, steadfast in its advocacy for craft artists and dedicated to building a sense of unity and strength among its staff, board, and members.

Program Goals
Program goals of the Maine Crafts Association focus on: marketing opportunities (high tech especially), sales opportunities, business development programs, creative/artistic development programs, public education, networking, and high quality branding.

Membership
Membership supports the development of professional craft artists through education, exhibition and marketing opportunities. Established and emerging craft artists benefit from the peer networking and informal mentoring that is an important component of all of MCA's programming. Members are kept apprised of Maine’s lively fine crafts community through MCA’s e-newsletter and are listed in the online directory. Professional members can increase their visibility by adding photos, descriptive text and links to their web sites. Other membership categories allow institutions, collectors and enthusiasts to participate in this dynamic community and support the goals of MCA.

Exhibitions and Shows
The Maine Crafts Association periodically presents several contemporary craft exhibitions highlighting the work of emerging and established regional artists.

Educational Programs
The Maine Crafts Association offers a variety of workshops designed to enhance appreciation of fine crafts, to build technical skills and to build business development skills. In addition, each year, the Maine Crafts Association offers an informal, salon-style gathering for members and the general public following the annual business meeting. Program activities typically include an impromptu craft show, a panel discussion and peer networking.

• Haystack Workshop Weekend
  One of the Maine Crafts Association’s best loved educational programs. Workshop participants spend the weekend at the Haystack Mountain School of Crafts and immerse themselves in technique workshops, peer networking and open studio time.
  
  
• Your Craft, Your Business Conference
  In collaboration with Maine College of Art, MCA developed and hosted Your Craft, Your Business, a conference designed to help Maine artists build their business skills in order to more effectively participate in Maine’s creative economy. Sixty-five craft artists attended this conference.
  
  
• Calendar Series Workshops
  Unique intensive, full day techniques workshops held in the studios of master craft artists. This unique program features small, intimate class sizes, one-to-one attention and inspirational studio locations.
  
  
• Community College Craft Curriculum
  Associates Degree in Traditional and Contemporary Craft. MCA is partnering with Eastern Maine Community College to bring training in manual skills and entrepreneurial business skills to students throughout the state. Beginning in Fall 2008, master craftspeople and craft organizations, identified by MCA, will offer individual mentorships and courses for credit through the community college system.
  

Marketing Programs

• Center for Maine Craft
  Located in the new West Gardiner Turnpike Authority Rest Stop, the Center will help artist businesses increase profits and recognition, as well as  build more year-round retail opportunities. The Center for Maine Craft is due to open in November 2008.
  
  
• Kiosk
  During November and December each year, MCA will work with members interested in doing a holiday kiosk at the Bangor Mall.
  
  
• Web
  The MCA website will be renovated to focus on sales as well as organizational activities. With the opening of the Center for Maine Craft, an additional Craft Center website will conduct complete e-commerce activities.
  
  
• Retail & Wholesale Sales shows
  MCA will investigate re-developing Portland Holiday Inn craft show and/or a Portland Holiday House. MCA will participate in New England Products Trade Show, and Museum Store Association Show.
  
  
• Design/Build
  An on-going MCA project will research the feasibility of connecting craft artisans and the design/construction trades (builders, architects, interior designers) in order to expand the market for fine craft in home design.

Support
The Maine Crafts Association derives annual income from memberships, board member contributions, annual fund donations, individual donations, corporate contributions, foundation and government grants, and program service fees.

Board of Directors
Representing a diverse group of artists and business leaders, Maine Crafts Association Board of Directors governs this 501c3 organization.

Volunteers
The Maine Crafts Association is assisted by a committed and diverse group of volunteers who bring a wide range of talents and experience to all aspects of operations and programming. Standing committees comprised of Board members and volunteers plan and implement marketing and fund raising initiatives, plan and coordinate exhibitions and shows, and plan and coordinate workshops and other educational programming.