The Anna Templeton Centre for Craft Art & Design honours the memory of Miss Anna Templeton (1916-1995) who devoted her life to advancing textile hand works and ensuring their enduring legacy.

Housed in an architectural jewel at the heart of downtown St. John’s, the Anna Templeton Centre is an elegant and inspiring location for creative activities. It was designated a Nation Historic Site on March 30, 2001. With building upgrades and renovations done in 2007, the new and renewed studio spaces are kept vibrant with the creative work of its classes.

In addition to Textiles: Craft & Apparel Design, a two-year diploma program of College of the North Atlantic, a wide range of adult evening classes and weekend workshop are offered throughout the year to kindle the inner artist in everyone. Education and training in the traditional skills presented in a contemporary context ensures the continued development of rug hooking, sewing, embroidery, tatting, hand knitting, spinning, dye techniques and related areas.

Exposure to, and involvement in, the arts has many positive benefits and the Young Artist Program at the Anna Templeton Centre provides valuable arts experiences for kids of all ages. Classes in art, craft and the performing arts are offered each season with something for each age group.

The only centre of its kind, it’s one of the few venues offering craft and art training and education in Newfoundland & Labrador. The Centre works to fill an increasing demand for courses and programming and purposefully strives to keep registration fees affordable. Subsidies and scholarships are available to those who wouldn’t otherwise have the means to attend. It is also a partner with the R.E.A.L. Program an offers one full scholarship in each of its Young Artist Programs.

A registered charity with a volunteer board of directors providing vision and management, the Centre is committed to the advancing fine craft. It also pursues audience development through increasing an awareness of and appreciation for fine craft and art in Newfoundland & Labrador.

The Anna Templeton Centre for Craft Art & Design generates all of its revenue through classes and special events and receives no government funding.