Written by: By Josh Blanc
One way to measure how influential the Twin Cities art scene is is to point to two major conferences being held here this late summer/early fall. The American Crafts Council (ACC) and the International Sculpture Center ISC) are both descending on Minneapolis, St. Paul, and the surrounding areas.
Both are national organizations; each organization produces high-quality print magazines that are collector items for those who follow their respective communities. The Northeast Minneapolis Arts District galleries, artists, tours, and events will be a part of both organizations’ planning.
Starting September 4th-6th, the ACC will host its 2026 American Craft Connects: ACC Conference & Awards.
The ISC will be presenting its 32nd International Sculpture Conference – The Evolving Field of Sculpture: Shaping the Future of Public Culture, Thursday, Oct 21 – Monday, Oct 26, 2026.
The American Crafts Council was founded in 1943 by Aileen Osborn Webb. The ACC hosts national craft shows and conferences, publishes a quarterly magazine called American Craft. After relocating in 2010 from New York City to Minneapolis, Minnesota, Andrea Specht is the Executive Director, and the ACC office and library are located in the Northeast Minneapolis Arts District at the Grain Belt Brewery.
There will be twenty-three presentations and panels during the ACC conference. Starting on Sept 4 at the Weisman Art Museum, with the ACC Biennial Awards Celebration 2026. The conference requires a ticket purchase. There are many levels of participation, from single panels and events to the whole conference pass.
The International Sculpture Center was founded in 1960 by Elden Tefft and James A. Sterritt at the University of Kansas. It is located in Pittsburgh, PA. It publishes Sculpture magazine. Johannah Hutchison is their Executive Director/Publisher.
The ISC states its conference will be geared toward artists, arts administrators, educators, museum staff, curators, students, and patrons.
The ISC conference will feature keynote presentations by acclaimed Arts District artist Dyani White Hawk with Minneapolis artist Angela Two Stars, and New York Artist Jean Shin. The conference will bring together sculptors, public artists, educators, curators, fabricators, students, and arts professionals from around the globe for four days of keynote presentations, panel discussions, workshops, networking events, studio tours, and unique cultural experiences throughout the Twin Cities.
In the Arts District on Sunday, Oct 25, NE Sculpture/Gallery Factory will have The EXHIBITION: Proof of Life: 2026 Alumni Exhibition (example), inside & outside the gallery. The exhibition features a dynamic range of works of sculpture, as well as video performance. These works often explore political themes and reflect our commitment to artistic innovation and social advocacy.
Both conferences will bring together hundreds of participants from across the country and around the world to the Twin Cities. Accomplished and award-winning artists, museum directors, and the who’s who of the Sculpture and Craft world will be seeing our amazing art scene. Learn more about how you can participate.