Who We Are
Safeguarding + Sustaining Artists’ Careers
Our Mission
CERF+ serves artists who work in craft disciplines by providing a safety net to support strong and sustainable careers. CERF+’s core services are education programs, advocacy, network building and emergency relief.
CERF+ is a 501(c)(3) public charity.
Our History
“Artists in the craft community wouldn’t see each other for a whole year—and we would discover that somebody’s barn had burned down, someone had been in an auto accident, or someone’s van had been broken into and they had lost all of their crafts.”
– Josh Simpson Co-founder
Craft Emergency Relief Fund
Art is America’s common wealth and artists are its most precious asset.
Our Board of Directors
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Jono Anzalone, ChairExecutive Director, Kennebunkport Climate Initiative
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Vivian BeerFurniture Designer/Maker/Sculpture, Pembroke, New Hampshire
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Deb DormodyStrategist, Arts Leader, Grantmaker
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Dr. Allison Druin, TreasurerAssociate Provost for Research & Strategic Partnerships, Pratt Institute
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Cinda HoltNonprofit Board Development Consultant
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Marjorie HuntFolklife Curator and Education Specialist, Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage
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Jaydan MooreMetalsmith, Printmaker
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Jaime SuárezCeramist, Sculptor, Architect, Set Designer, and Professor
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Pati Young, MSWPsychotherapist (Retired), Collector/Craft Advocate, Former JRA and ACC Board Member
Past Board Members
Polly Allen
John Andrew
Jorge Arango
Malene Barnett
Miriam Barnett
Barbara Bateman
Molly Bell
Curtis Benzle
Barry Bergey
Eddie Bernard
Anthony Beverly
Sandy Blain
Bob Booker
Michelle Bufano
Sharon Campbell
Donald Clark
Barrie Cliff
Joao Cook
Robert Curry
Julie Gordon Dalgleish
Deirdre Donchian
Charley Dooley
Jennifer Dowley
Craig Dreeszen
Melvin Druin
Carol Eckert
David Ellsworth
Lisa Englander
Lucy Feller
Rashida Ferdinand
Cecily Fox
Bill Fraser
Donald Friedlich
Gini Garcia
Martha Giberson
Julie Girardini
Gary Glant
Judy Gordon
Hortense Green
John Haworth
Helen Hamada
Lloyd Herman
Ricardo Hernandez
Paul Housberg
Curt Huddleston
Stacey Jarit
Pamela Joseph
Jan Katz
Charles Kegley
Pam Kingfisher
Karen Koblitz
Richard Kooyman
Karen Krieger
William Lehr Jr
Jack Lenor Larsen
Mark Lyman
Robert Lynch
Gwen Magee
Ande Maricich
Susan Martin
Wendy Maruyama
Steve Maslach
Carolyn Mazloomi
Gail McCarthy
Mia McEldowney
Jean McLaughlin
Reed McMillan
Nancee Meeker
Alice Merritt
Terri Moreland
Craig Nutt
Mary Nyburg
Paula Owen
Jules Polk
Theo Portnoy
Perry Price
Dave Purvis
Bill Riker
Chris Robb
Wendy Rosen
Sylvie Rosenthal
Carol Ross
Lois Russell
Marilyn S
Paul Sacaridiz
Jane Sauer
Carol Sauvion
Jan Schachter
Anthony Schaller
Susan Schear
Felicia Shaw
Toni Sikes
Josh Simpson
Brent Skidmore
Susan Skinner
Marilyn Stevens
Olivia Surratt
John Venekamp
James Wilkinson
Lana Wilson
SUPPORTERS
We’re all part of the Artists Safety Net
Celebrate the Artists Safety Net with Us!
If you support artists, you can be part of the “Artists Safety Net!” Whether you donate, attend workshops or tell a friend about CERF+, you help protect artists, their art and their careers. Tell us why you support art and the artists who make it by adding your own story here.
Download printable
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CERF+ Impact: A Bird’s Eye View
(Oct 1, 2017 – Sep 30, 2022)

Jeana Eve Klein, Fiber Artist and CERF+ Beneficiary
When I was facing the prospect of no work space, CERF+ came through for me when I really needed it and I was able to continue working without interruption. I’m in a much better financial place now. I give to CERF+ so other artists can be helped in the future.

Judy Chernoff, President, Collectors of Wood Art
Artists may experience tenuous unforeseen circumstances from time to time. Along with a wide variety of activities in support of the wood art movement, helping artists during such times fits in well with our mission.

James Aarons, Ceramic Artist
CERF+ helps us when we need some support, guidance, or advice. Sometimes we just need to know that we’re not alone, or if something knocks the wind out of us, CERF+ is a friend. CERF+ is critical part of the craft community.
CERF+ Impact: A Bird’s Eye View



100% of grantees cited CERF+ assistance as a contributing factor to their financial recovery after an emergency.
OUR DONORS

THANK YOU

