Founders Fund

In 2004, JoAnn Edwards and her brother Seb Hamamjian co-founded the Museum of Craft and Design with the belief that if given a distinct platform, artists, craftspeople, designers, and makers could receive the recognition that they deserve. When Seb passed away in 2013, JoAnn persevered in her role as Executive Director, committed to furthering their dream. During her twenty year tenure, she highlighted the creative processes of artists from around the globe, championed Bay Area talent, and instituted free art-making programs reaching thousands of people. MCD’s Board of Directors established the Founders Fund in honor of JoAnn’s retirement in 2024, to advance the museum’s vision of providing access to creativity for all. All contributions to the Founders Fund will honor the path that JoAnn Edwards created, and illuminate MCD’s future.