The Spector Family Foundation, together with celebrated curator Glenn Adamson, announces today the launch of the Spector Craft Prize and an inaugural partnership with Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art.

NOVEMBER 14, 2025 | New York, NY — The Spector Family Foundation, together with celebrated curator Glenn Adamson, announces today the launch of the Spector Craft Prize and an inaugural partnership with Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art. 

The Spector Craft Prize is a transformative new initiative that seeks to reinforce American craft as a vital and enduring art form and nurture new generations of craft artists and makers. Created by Abigail Klem Spector and Warren Spector, the Prize celebrates craft as a dynamic force in contemporary culture—one whose preservation is critical to the American creative tradition—and looks to establish a recognized platform for excellence across disciplines including ceramics, woodworking, glass, textiles, metalwork, paper arts, basketry, and more. 

The initiative is multifold, with the Spector Craft Prize being awarded to a single established artist in the United States whose work exemplifies excellence in craft and a sustained commitment to the field. The Spector Craft Prize for Emerging Artists will recognize five early-career artists. Finally, the Spector Craft Summit will convene awardees, artists, curators, scholars, interior designers and the public in a vibrant exchange of ideas at that year’s host museum, strengthening the craft ecosystem by fostering intergenerational dialogue and community. 

The recipient of the Spector Craft Prize will be acknowledged by the major acquisition of their work by that year’s host institution funded by the Spector Family Foundation, the keynote speaking slot at the annual conference, and a leadership role in mentoring emerging craft talent. The Emerging Artists awards seek to elevate five exceptional artists who have maintained a studio practice for seven years or fewer, awarding them with a $10,000 grant to support their practice, participation in the Spector Craft Summit, and additional mentorship and networking opportunities to ensure they have the tools to build their careers. 

About the Spector Family Foundation Established in 2005, the Spector Family Foundation is a private grantmaking organization dedicated to advancing the arts, education, and civic life. In launching the Spector Craft Prize in 2025, the Foundation reaffirms its commitment to preserving America’s rich craft heritage while empowering artists to push the field forward. Founders Abigail Klem Spector and Warren Spector bring decades of leadership in business, culture, and philanthropy to this effort, guided by a belief in the transformative power of the handmade. The Spector Craft Prize is an open invitation—to artists, institutions, collectors, and the public—to recognize the essential role of craft in American life. By investing in makers, preserving traditional practices, and fostering innovation, the Prize builds a future in which craft continues to inspire, endure, and connect. To learn more, visit www.spectorcraftprize.org.