As you may have heard by now, BIMA is taking part in the national initiative, Handwork: Celebrating American Craft 2026! This celebration of craft in honor of the Semiquincentennial of the United States is led by Craft in America and features over 250 participating organizations. 

The decision to join Handwork 2026 was an easy and exciting one for us at BIMA. The handmade spans countless methods, each with deep roots that we will explore throughout the year. Not only will we be honoring the storied legacy of handwork in America, but we will be uplifting craft today and artists who are bringing the handmade into its next evolution. For the first time at BIMA, we are linking the majority of our 2026 exhibitions together under one theme: Connected By Craft. 

We chose this theme because the handmade has the ability to not only connect individuals to one another, but to connect communities, generations, and histories unlike any other art form. Handmade traditions lie at the heart of many cultures, whether it’s brought to the U.S. from elsewhere to honor one’s home or organically grown from the cross-cultural influences that abound in America. It’s this diversity and power of craft that we are thrilled to celebrate and share with you next year. 

Learn more about Handwork 2026 at BIMA here and learn about the national initiative, including other participating organizations, on the Handwork 2026 website.