About Us:

The Appalachian Center for Craft, located near Smithville, Tennessee, is a satellite campus of Tennessee Tech University (TTU) which is in Cookeville, Tennessee (approximately 25 miles east of the Craft Center off Interstate 40).

We offer Bachelor of Fine Arts degree concentrations in clay, fibers, glass metals and wood; also available are non-degree Craft Certificate programs in the five craft media. Academic programs are enhanced by our Artist in Residence program in which emerging professional craft artists live and work in the environment of the Craft Center.

The Craft Center was built resulting from a 5 million dollar federal grant spearheaded by the late Representative Joe L. Evins, Tennessee Congressman serving on the House Appropriations Committee. Construction was completed in December 1979, and classes began in January 1980.

The Craft Center is an 87,000 sq. ft. facility located on more than 500 wooded acres overlooking Center Hill Lake in scenic Middle Tennessee. The facility includes spacious studios, a retail gallery, exhibition galleries, administrative offices, a library, a cafe, student housing, and meeting/audio visual rooms.

Though the Craft Center's primary focus is the Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and non-degree programs, there are numerous opportunities for everyone to enjoy this beautiful and inspiring, craft-education facility.