They’ve been exploring the cultural role of craft and folk art for more than 40 years now, and nothing pleases the stewards of this museum more than to turn the preconception of the “lowly” arts on its head. The museum seeks out artists who take traditional practices in surprising directions; two of 2014’s exhibitions were a Guatemalan sculptor’s creations out of discarded sports equipment and large “shacks” made of found materials for such events as the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival and Burning Man. A variety of public programs let visitors learn basic woodcarving skills (while making a set of chopsticks), join a “yarn bombing” session with local “guerrilla knitters,” and participate in many other hands-on activities. The museum shop is packed with curated hand-crafted works from an international array of artisans.