The American Folk School Movement and 'Slow Economics'
Rather than looking to big corporate employers like Walmart for economic stability, could more rural communities in the U.S. welcome a slower growing, yet more sustainable economic partner?
Dear Friends,
Our Spring issue theme—“The Future of Craftsmanship”—focuses on how and where the next generation of artisans will learn their trades. This week’s short piece, from our Field Notes section, highlights the surprising proliferation of U.S.-based folk schools over the past 30 years, and looks at how such institutions can become sustainable (if slower-growing) economic engines for entire communities.
I hope you’ll enjoy reading “The American Folk School Movement and ‘Slow Economics,’” written by Joanne Cleaver. And for those who are curious to learn more about some of the wonderfully varied folk and craft training programs offered around the country, please check out our new Resource Guide to U.S. Folk Schools, researched and written by Sarah Lahm.
In other news, we are working on some exciting new offerings for our forthcoming reader-supported publication here on Substack. This won’t change our regular weekly stories or our magazine archives, which have always been free of charge and free of ads, and will remain so. We’re simply adding another layer of rich, unique content that we hope our readers will be inspired to support. More on all of this very soon.
Our Spring issue will continue through the end of May. Each Friday until then, as is our custom, we will release a feature story, short article, mini-documentary, photo essay, or podcast that relates to our mission — to “create a world built to last.” Along with stories that speak to each issue’s theme, we always have works on other topics, so please, stay tuned.
In the meantime, I hope you'll always find something intriguing to read, watch, or listen to within our pages. We welcome your thoughts via email, as well as on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter. Thank you for reading and sharing our stories, for donating to our cause when you can, and for being such a loyal part of the Craftsmanship community.
Be well,
Todd Oppenheimer
Editor & Publisher, Craftsmanship Quarterly
Spring 2023: The Future of Craftsmanship
Look at almost anything you own of real quality, and you immediately see its maker's commitment to beauty, functionality, and longevity. Those values, which in our mind define works of craftsmanship, are being aggressively tested these days, as more and more material goods exhibit shoddy workmanship, and are not made to last. The trash this creates not only damages our environment, it also erodes the principles of excellence that advance us, both individually and collectively. In this issue, we introduce you to some brave souls and organizations that are fighting to preserve, and expand, the intelligence in our hands.