In addition to presenting exhibitions, Craft Contemporary is also well-known for its public programs catering to all ages, from family workshops to more intensive sessions for older adults.

CAFAM held early shows for now-prominent artists, including Frank Romero, Otto Natzler, Dale Chihuly, and Sam Maloof.

In 2018, the museum's board of directors voted to change the name of the institution to Craft Contemporary, publicly announcing the decision in January 2019.

According to an interview with Executive Director Suzanne Isken, the new name reflects the changing field of craft from "hav[ing] an association to something very old and very dusty" to a contemporary art form in its own right, rooted in the "now".

"[3] According to their mission statement, Craft Contemporary aims to exhibit "established and emerging artists and designers who are often underrepresented in larger art institutions.

"[4] Because of this emphasis, the museum is known for supporting the early career of important artists—such as Betye Saar, Timothy Washington, Gronk, Beatriz Cortez, and John Riddle, to name a few—before they reach mainstream recognition by larger art institutions.

[5][6][7][8] Notable past exhibitions include:[9][10] The museum is destroyed in the 1997 film Volcano when a lava bomb lands in front of the building, setting it ablaze.