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Museum of Crafts and Folk Art

Craft Contemporary is a building with more than half a century of history, a gallery of folk art. Since Los Angeles has become an important international art center, the Museum of Crafts and Folk Art supports the careers of the currently renowned artists, including Sam Maluf, Otto and Viviki Heino, as well as Beatrice Wood.

Features of the Museum of Folk Art

Los Angeles Craft and Folk Art Museum — American ButlerThe Craft and Folk Art Museum has been located in Los Angeles since 1965 and unleashes the potential of the craft for learning, passion, provocation, and empowerment. Focusing on contemporary art, Craft Contemporary presents exhibitions of famous and emerging artists and designers, which are often absent in major art institutions.

Thanks to an extensive list of regular programs and events, Craft Contemporary invites the public to participate in workshops conducted by professional artists. The museum creates the conditions for people in Los Angeles to deepen their relationship with art, creativity and each other.

Taking part in exhibitions, Craft Contemporary coordinates an extensive list of workshops led by professional artists and instructors. A museum is a place where friends and families come to awaken creativity, to more fully appreciate what it means to create something manually, and to feel how useful it can be.

This art center collaborates with community organizations throughout Los Angeles to attract artists and artisans from all over the city to work together on group projects and hold special events. And it's completely impossible to guess what an unusual thing you will find here.

This also applies to the Craft Contemporary Shop, which displays an ever-changing assortment of beautiful handicrafts from experienced artisans. The intimate, atypical museum space and independent spirit at Kraft Contemporari combine to create an atmosphere of genuine excitement and delight. Step inside and become part of what is happening in the museum.

Craft Contemporary — the best museums in Los Angeles — American Butler

The history of the appearance of the art center

Little is known about the early years of the building. By the 1950s, there were offices, an exhibition hall for an interior designer, and then a travel agency.

Craft Contemporary, Los Angeles — Folk Art Museum — American ButlerIn 1965, a group of women led by artist Edith R. Wyle, whom the LA Times called the “High Priestess of Folk Art,” sent their passion for indigenous art to The Egg and The Eye Restaurant. In addition to 50 types of omelettes, they sold fine art and traditional art of world cultures.

The success of this concept stimulated the creation of the non-profit Museum of Craft and Folk Art in 1973. From the very beginning, the place was a “living museum” offering master classes led by artists and educational programs. Edith Wile was the art director of the museum from 1973 to 1984, after she retired.

In 1976, CAFAM organized the first multicultural festival in Los Angeles — the "International Mask Festival". This two-day celebration of folk art, with an abundance of dancing, music and food, gathered up to 40,000 people.

In late 1997, the museum was closed due to financial difficulties. At that time it was believed that forever. However, Patrick Ala, who was the administrative director from 1975 to 1984, established partnerships with the Los Angeles city administration, which allowed the museum to reopen in February 1999.

At the beginning of 2019, the museum received a new name — Craft Contemporary, instead of the old Craft and Folk Art Museum.

The new name is an attempt to better reflect what the museum has emphasized recently: the intersection of modern art, craft and design. The name Craft Contemporary “looks brightly into the future and leads to the present,” said Susanne Isken, CEO.

Additional Information
Address 5814 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036
Telephone +1-323-937-4230
Mode of operation
  • Tue – Fri: 11:00 am – 05:00 pm;
  • Sat – Sun: 11:00 am – 06:00 pm;
  • Mon: closed.
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Visit this bastion of creativity with the help of American Butler.

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  • 1.Receiving discounts and bonuses
  • 2.Comments and ratings
  • 3.Secure payments
  • 4.Payment history
  • 5.Subscribe to news and updates
Login | Registration
Registration via social network
Registration advantages:
  • 1.Receiving discounts and bonuses
  • 2.Comments and ratings
  • 3.Secure payments
  • 4.Payment history
  • 5.Subscribe to news and updates
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