What kind of a year has 2012 been for you and your organisation?
It’s been a very successful year for the Crafts Council. We were able to increase professional development support to makers through our Collective programme, including the expansion of the Hothouse scheme for emerging makers and the launch of Injection for makers later in their careers. We also continued to reach substantial audiences across the UK and online through our exhibitions and events.
What has changed for the better and what, if anything, has changed for the worse?
Public and media awareness of craft continues to rise, fuelled by enthusiasm for provenance, narrative and the handmade. As an organisation, we continue to create new relationships with outstanding partners in support of makers and making. Our report Craft in an Age of Change, published in February, shows a resilient sector engaging with new opportunities and keen to explore them further, but concerned about changes to the structure and funding of Higher Education and the continued slow growth of the economy.
What do you wish hadn’t happened this year?
The rapid decline in local authority arts funding leading to very difficult times for many excellent craft organisations.
What do you wish had happened this year, but didn’t?
The inclusion of a ‘sixth pillar’ within the English Baccalaureate to provide a robust framework for the teaching of art, craft and design in schools.
What would you characterise as your/your organisation’s major achievement this year and why?
It’s hard to single one thing out, but the Crafts Council conference Assemble 2012 and associated case studies and events profiled makers’ contribution in sectors ranging from healthcare to fashion, the auto industry to bio-couture. All of which enabled us to start a number of conversations with potential partners that could provide opportunities for makers over the coming years.
Is there anything you’d like to have done but haven’t?
There’s lots more that we would have liked to have done. However, there’s only so much you can do with resources and time so we’re happy with what we have achieved in 2012.
What would make 2013 a better year than 2012?
The inclusion of a sixth pillar within the Ebacc.
To find out more about all the Crafts Council’s activities visit www.craftscouncil.org.uk and follow CraftsCouncilUK on Twitter and Facebook
