Crafts/Craft Design, Folk Art and Artisanry.

Degree Overview

Crafts/Craft Design, Folk Art and Artisanry (CIP 50.0201) is a creative, hands-on arts field focused on designing and producing functional or decorative objects using traditional, cultural, and contemporary craft techniques. This degree emphasizes material mastery, cultural heritage, and artistic identity, preparing students to work as makers who blend creativity, craftsmanship, and meaning. Unlike mass-produced design fields, craft and artisanry center on intentional, human-made objects that carry story, skill, and authenticity.

For a degree search site, Crafts/Craft Design, Folk Art and Artisanry represents creativity rooted in tradition and individuality. In an age of automation and digital replication, handcrafted work has gained renewed value for its uniqueness, sustainability, and cultural significance. This degree appeals to students who want a creative career built around tangible making, cultural expression, and independent or small-scale professional work.

What Is a Crafts and Artisanry Degree?

A Crafts/Craft Design, Folk Art and Artisanry degree is a studio-based fine arts program that focuses on creating objects by hand using time-honored techniques, materials, and processes. While programs encourage innovation and contemporary design thinking, they are grounded in traditional craft disciplines and cultural practices.

This degree typically focuses on:

• Handcrafted object design and production
• Traditional and contemporary craft techniques
• Cultural, historical, and folk art traditions
• Material exploration and process mastery
• Artistic identity and creative entrepreneurship

Colleges, art schools, and universities offer this degree to:

• Preserve and evolve traditional craft and folk art forms
• Train skilled artisans and independent makers
• Support creative careers outside mass production
• Blend cultural heritage with modern design

Craft and artisanry programs emphasize studio work, experimentation, and personal artistic voice.

What Will You Learn?

Students learn how to conceptualize, design, and create handcrafted objects that are both functional and expressive. You’ll study how materials behave, how tools shape form, and how cultural traditions influence design and meaning.

The curriculum emphasizes process over speed. Students spend extensive time in studios learning through repetition, critique, and refinement. Courses also encourage reflection on cultural context, sustainability, and the role of craft in society. By graduation, students develop a cohesive body of work that reflects their technical skill and artistic perspective.

Core Skills You’ll Build

Graduates typically develop skills such as:

• Material mastery—wood, clay, fiber, metal, glass, or mixed media
• Hand-tool and studio technique—precision and craftsmanship
• Craft design and object development—form and function
• Surface treatment and finishing—texture, color, and detail
• Cultural and historical analysis—folk and traditional art forms
• Creative problem-solving—design through making
• Artistic critique and refinement—iterative improvement
• Portfolio and body-of-work development—professional presentation

These skills are highly personal and transferable across many creative pathways.

Topics You May Explore

Coursework varies widely depending on materials and cultural focus, but often includes:

• Introduction to Craft and Artisanry: tools, materials, and safety
• Craft Design Principles: function, aesthetics, and meaning
• Folk Art and Cultural Traditions: heritage-based practices
• Material-Specific Studios: ceramics, fiber, wood, metal, or glass
• Surface Design and Ornamentation: pattern and texture
• Sustainable and Ethical Making: responsible craft practices
• History of Craft and Decorative Arts: global traditions
• Studio Critique and Concept Development: artistic growth
• Capstone or Exhibition Project: cohesive final work

Many programs encourage interdisciplinary experimentation across craft media.

What Jobs Can You Get With This Degree?

A Crafts/Craft Design, Folk Art and Artisanry degree prepares students for creative, often self-directed careers. Employment paths are flexible and frequently portfolio- or reputation-based.

Common career paths include:

• Artisan or Craftsperson: handmade functional or decorative goods
• Folk Artist or Cultural Artist: tradition-based creative work
• Studio Artist: independent or collective studios
• Craft Designer: small-batch or custom products
• Gallery or Exhibition Artist: fine craft presentation
• Creative Educator or Workshop Instructor: skill-sharing roles
• Self-Employed Maker or Small Business Owner: craft entrepreneurship

Success often depends on personal style, consistency, and audience connection.

Where Can You Work?

Graduates work in a wide range of creative and cultural environments:

• Independent studios or shared maker spaces
• Craft collectives and cooperatives
• Galleries, museums, and cultural centers
• Art fairs, markets, and online platforms
• Educational and community arts organizations
• Small design or production studios
• Home-based or mobile craft businesses

Many artisans combine multiple income streams to sustain their practice.

How Much Can You Earn?

Earnings vary widely based on medium, market, location, and business model.

Typical ranges include:

• Entry-level or emerging artisans: often $30,000–$45,000
• Established craftspeople or designers: commonly $45,000–$70,000
• Highly recognized artists or successful business owners: can exceed $80,000–$120,000+

Income often grows with reputation, niche specialization, and direct-to-customer sales.

Is This Degree Hard?

Crafts and artisanry are considered physically and creatively demanding. While academic requirements are accessible, students must commit significant time to practice, experimentation, and refinement. Progress can be slow, and mastery requires patience and resilience.

The challenge lies in developing both technical excellence and a distinct artistic identity.

Who Should Consider This Degree?

This degree may be a strong fit if you:

• Enjoy making things by hand and working with materials
• Value tradition, culture, and craftsmanship
• Prefer creative independence over corporate environments
• Are interested in small-scale or self-directed careers
• Want to create meaningful, lasting objects

How to Prepare in High School

To prepare for a crafts and artisanry program:

• Take art, design, shop, or craft-based courses
• Practice drawing, making, and material experimentation
• Learn basic tool use and studio safety practices
• Explore cultural art traditions and folk crafts
• Begin assembling a portfolio of handmade work

Crafts/Craft Design, Folk Art and Artisanry (CIP 50.0201) is a deeply human and expressive degree for students who want to create with intention, skill, and cultural meaning. It offers creative freedom, tangible output, and the opportunity to build a life around making rather than mass production. For those drawn to tradition, craftsmanship, and personal artistic voice, this degree provides a powerful foundation for a meaningful and enduring creative career.