Background

Governor Ruth Ann Minner signed Executive Order No. 3 on January 5, 2001, establishing the Governor's Strategic Economic Council (SEC). The Order directed the Council to report to the Governor on steps that should be taken to recruit and retain specific desirable industries and business sectors. The Council identified six areas of opportunity for significant economic growth in Delaware. To fully evaluate these sectors, the Council divided into six subcommittees augmented by business leaders and elected officials with expertise in each of the areas of opportunity. The subcommittees then conducted research in their area of focus and developed recommendations for the Council. Delaware by Hand was one of the initiatives identified by the Council.

What is Delaware by Hand?

Delaware by Hand is formalized way to showcase the incredibly talented craftspeople living and working in Delaware. Delaware by Hand is an initiative to foster the creation of a formalized, resident-based crafts industry by linking and leveraging the power of craft artists already living and working in Delaware. Delaware by Hand products would be of superior quality and capitalize on Delaware's craft traditions such as those originating from our colonial, nautical, and agricultural pasts as well as the State's multi-cultural present.

Primary Activities
  • Host the Delaware By Hand website to promote Delaware artisans and craft persons
  • Provide geo map of artisan/crafter locations and studios
  • Recruitment of new membership
  • Partnership resource assistance
  • Create a presence at festivals, art/craft events and the Fair


    • What is Craft?

    Craft is the work of the hand that is tactile, immediate, and functional - in these ways it differs from art and its production, promotion and sale.

    Fine craft is broadly defined as more or less one-of-a-kind craft objects created by hand by a single skilled craft artist or artist, with assistance (as in the case of installations), of museum and/or gallery quality, which is produced for sale, and/or exhibit.

    Production craft is broadly defined as craft designed by a single artist but produced by hand with the assistance of additional skilled craft artisans or apprentices, e.g. some jewelry, pottery, etc., which is produced for sale and/or produced in some defined limited production run and/or unlimited (but non-factory) production run.