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1965 TACA is founded as the Tennessee Artist-Craftsmen’s Association through the energy and enthusiasm of a group of Tennesseans active in crafts.
1966 The first Biennial Exhibition was held as a showcase for the best of Tennessee crafts. Since then, the TACA Biennial has been held every other year with only two exceptions.
1972 TACA is incorporated as a 501(c)3 not-for-profit corporation.
1972 The first Tennessee Crafts Fair is held in Centennial Park, located Nashville, Tennessee. This annual event is held the first weekend in May.
1976 Previously an all volunteer organization, TACA hires an Executive Director as its first paid staff member.
1978 First Fall Craft Fair is held to bring out-of-state craft artists to Tennessee. This annual event, held the last weekend in September, traveled to several locations around Nashville before settling in Centennial Park in 1993.
1989 TACA changes its name to the Tennessee Association of Craft Artists.
1994 TACA establishes the TACA/CERF fund In cooperation with the Craft Emergency Relief Fund (CERF) to provide no-interest loans for full-time professional TACA craft artists faced with a career-threatening emergency.
1994 Friends of TACA is created to recognize and provide programming for TACA’s donors and volunteers.
1996 First Celebration of Fine Craft is held in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Renamed the TACA Fall Craft Fair/Chattanooga in 2004, this national event was held annually during the first weekend in October for ten years.
2005 Alice Merritt resigns after 22 years of distinguished service, first as Director of TACA fairs and then as TACA's Executive Director. An Interim Director is chosen and a nation-wide search is launched for a permanent Executive Director.
The Present
TACA currently has three full-time employees who serve more than 500 members across Tennessee and the surrounding region. With the addition of Elaine Wood as the Executive Director in April of 2010, the organization is focused and prepared to take the next steps towards a successful future!
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