An analysis of the needs and interests of the Southern Highland Handicraft Guild

The Southern Highland Handicraft Guild (SHHG) has an impressive history of promoting, marketing and sustaining a high quality of Appalachian crafts. There exists in almost any organization changes-times of transition-and growth for meeting present and future needs. The intent of this study was to examine the needs and interests of the SHHG members as they relate to the Guild's purposes, to compare those to other craft organizations in the Southeast and to recommend possible actions which may help to insure the continued success of the Southern Highland Handicraft Guild.

At the October 1978 Craftsman's Fair in Knoxville the researcher interviewed members of the Southern Highland Handicraft Guild concerning their needs and interests with respect to the Guild. A brief questionnaire was circulated at that time and the information obtained was used in formulating a more extensive questionnaire.

In December l978 the Guild office mailed four hundred ninety-seven questionnaires to their members. By January 29, 1979 one hundred thirty-six questionnaires had been returned. The researcher reviewed twenty-two additional questionnaires after the deadline.

The significant findings from this questionnaire included the following:

Thirty-seven percent of the respondents were sixty years of age or older.

Eighty-seven percent of the Guild respondents have had some college experience; however, only 15 percent had received craft degrees.

The educational services of the Guild were thought by a majority to be quite adequate.

Over half the respondents were in favor of SHHG members being rejuried for membership.

There were three reasons chosen by similar numbers of respondents, explaining why they chose to be a craftsperson. They were: pursuing interest of a craft learned in school, the wish to live a certain lifestyle, and to earn a living.

Shops were by far the most often used nonguild sales outlet.

Forty-eight percent seems to be representative of a significant number of craftspersons who are dissatisfied with the Guild's sales outlets.

Eighty-seven percent were in favor of the Guild having a shop at the International Energy Exposition in Knoxville in 1982.

A majority of respondents were of the opinion that specialized exhibitions at Guild shops would help improve sales. Responding Guild members generally viewed the focus of the Guild as a combination of Appalachian Heritage and contemporary stylistic format.