ABOUT
Craft Lake City® is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization with a mission to educate, promote and inspire local artisans while elevating the creative culture of the Utah arts community through science, technology and art.
Our Programs & Initiatives
Craft Lake City elevates Utah’s creative community through their year-round programming, initiatives and seasonal events, including four major annual events: DIY Festival Presented By Harmons, Holiday Market, LetterWest and Makers Mart.
In 2024, Craft Lake reached nearly 800,000 people and supported 1,400+ creatives. Since transitioning from a 100% volunteer-run organization in 2017, we’ve served over 4.6 million people and empowered 6,300 creatives.
DIY Festival
Our Annual Craft Lake City DIY Festival Presented By Harmons is Utah’s largest local-centric art, music, science and technology festival.
The DIY Festival features 500+ local artisans, vintage vendors, craft foodies, food trucks & tents, youth entrepreneurs, performers and STEM exhibitors over three days the second weekend of August at the Utah State Fairpark.
Holiday Market
The Annual Craft Lake City Holiday Market, held the first weekend in December at Ogden's Union Station, is northern Utah's premier holiday event.
This festive, two-day celebration features 170+ artisans, vintage vendors, craft & commercial foodies, indie game developers, performers and youth entrepreneurs, inspiring the community to shop local.
LetterWest
A Conference for People Who Love Handlettering
Held in the Midvale Main Arts & Culture District, The Annual Craft Lake City LetterWest is the nation’s leading conference celebrating calligraphy and modern hand lettering. It features keynote speakers, workshops and more from top lettering artists around the globe.
Makers Mart
The Annual Craft Lake City Makers Mart aims to elevate Utah’s creative community by showcasing local artisans in a vibrant, high-traffic market setting. Created in partnership with Millcreek Common, this curated cash-and-carry event features handcrafted goods and special events, offering a dynamic platform for local makers.
Craft Workshops
Craft Lake City's Craft Workshops partner with local venues across Utah to offer affordable, high quality classes where local artisans teach and share their skills. These workshops provide paid opportunities for makers and invite the public to learn, create and connect.
Craft Lake City also offers curated workshops for private and corporate events!
Celebration of the Hand & Local Voices
Our two outdoor exhibition series displayed in 14 large frames – also known as plakats (German for “poster”) – adjacent to the sidewalks along Broadway (300 South) between 200 West and 200 East. These free, seasonally rotating exhibitions are available to view 24/7.
Business Academy
The Craft Lake City Business Academy, offered each fall in partnership with Celtic Bank, is a series of professional development workshops designed to educate, inspire, and empower local makers as they grow their creative businesses.
Youth Entrepreneur Program
Launched in 2022, Craft Lake City’s Youth Entrepreneur Program offers free afterschool arts and entrepreneurship education for K–12 students, preparing them to showcase their work at Kid Row during the Annual DIY Festival.
Kid Row
Kid Row is Craft Lake City’s Saturday-only exhibition space for youth makers ages 18 and under. It offers young artisans the chance to sell, promote, and showcase their work while learning the fundamentals of entrepreneurship. Originally part of the Annual DIY Festival, Kid Row will expand to the Annual Holiday Market in 2025.
STEM
Craft Lake City expands the meaning of “craft” to include all things handmade, celebrating local artisans, innovators, and DIY engineers. We believe many future artists, makers, and STEM enthusiasts just need a spark of inspiration to join the creative community. To encourage that, we offer engaging STEM programs that inspire adults and youth to explore science and creativity in fun, hands-on ways.
Rocket Launch Program
Our popular waterbottle rocket launch is now available in schools! Our hands-on, experiential STEM curriculum can be adapted for grades K-12 and demonstrates the use of variables, ratios, principles of motion, and more. Contact us today to schedule a family night or field day for your students.
Unity Initiative
Since 2016, this program has built an inclusive creative community by supporting refugees and underrepresented Utahns with opportunities to thrive. Guided by four goals—equal opportunity, business development, DIY culture, and digital access—it served nearly 900 participants in 2024.
Support our Mission
Whether you’re interested in joining our team through a year-round or seasonal position, volunteering your time and talents, or donating to support our work, there are many ways to help us continue empowering creativity in our community.
Join Our Team
We’re currently hiring for both year-round (part-time & full-time) and seasonal contract positions. If you’re passionate about community, creativity and DIY culture, explore the opportunities below—you might be the perfect addition to our team!
Volunteer
Founded in 2009 as a volunteer-run organization, Craft Lake City still thrives thanks to dedicated volunteers. Share your time and talents to help us elevate Utah’s creative community through science, technology, and art. Apply today and explore opportunities to get involved.
Donate
Help us to continue our mission to educate, promote and inspire local artisans while elevating the creative culture of the Utah arts community through science, technology and art by donating today!
Annual Reports
Our Contact Information:
Address:
230 South 500 West, Ste 125
Salt Lake City, UT 84101
Phone:
(801) 906-8521
Email:
info@craftlakecity.com
Contact Us!
Supporters and Sponsors
Craft Lake City would like to recognize and express sincere thanks to the organizations that support our mission year-round! For a full list of Craft Lake City supporters, click here.