This past summer, CERF+ tried something new: a four-day workweek pilot! We partnered with ISO Arts Consulting to see how it would affect staff productivity, wellness, collaboration, and overall organizational effectiveness. The results? So positive that, after some careful evaluation, we decided to make the four-day workweek permanent in October 2025. Now, we’re excited to share what we learned—and what’s next.
Because being a responsive and accessible resource for craft artists is at the heart of what we do, we wanted to hear from our constituents. We sent out a survey through our newsletter, and most respondents—mostly artists and grant applicants—said they didn’t need any changes to work with us under the new schedule. A few asked for more self-service tools or the option to schedule appointments, which is helpful feedback. And of course, our emergency grant application is available online 24/7, along with plenty of free resources and webinars that can be accessed anytime.
On the staff side, we ran pre- and post-pilot surveys and held a facilitated discussion. The takeaway? Staff felt productive, supported, and included before the pilot—and even more so afterward. Many used their extra day to rest, run errands, or pursue personal projects, which helped them come back to work refreshed. Travel occasionally affected wellness for some, but that wasn’t related to the new schedule. Overall, staff reported modest gains in productivity and well-being.
During our discussion, staff shared that they’re still learning how to prioritize tasks and manage workflows in the new schedule—and resisting the urge to respond to emails on Fridays! They also highlighted the importance of collective planning to stay coordinated and support one another. Looking ahead, we’ll keep refining workflows, communication, and scheduling norms to make sure staff have clarity around work hours and craft artists know when and how to reach us. Leadership modeling around prioritization and planning will also help keep things running smoothly.
All in all, the four-day workweek pilot was a big success. It’s strengthened by CERF+’s culture of care, transparency, and collaboration, and with ongoing adjustments, we’re excited to see it continue to benefit both staff and the craft artist community. We’re incredibly grateful to the craft artists for trusting us to continue providing exceptional service.
