Craft Scotland is the national development agency for contemporary craft. Scotland’s makers have a well-deserved international reputation and we promote Scottish craft and support makers as they develop their careers and practice through events, exhibitions, and our professional development programmes. Our website provides a platform for craft enthusiasts to engage and learn about Scottish-based makers and craft destinations.
I feel that craft is rightly being valued for the skills, innovative approaches and material processes involved. There is a very positive interest in craft processes in art colleges and I can see that Scottish craft is regarded with a great deal of respect outside of Scotland. And there are many great organisations and businesses operating within the sector which helps to create exciting new opportunities for more makers.
It is really disappointing that there are fewer opportunities to access arts skills in schools, it’s something I feel very strongly about. As well as the value that comes from learning through creative approaches, craft skills can develop other transferable skills of use in many other non-creative careers. We are working with Panel at the moment to explore how craft might be supported within schools but it is just a start and we will continue to advocate for the benefits of craft in all aspects of our work.
We are part of a dynamic sector – of experienced and committed organisations, institutions, craft collectives and businesses – and I think working in partnership is crucial to help support and develop aspects of the sector such as education. I feel Craft Scotland does have an important role in nurturing talent and in helping develop and signpost routes into craft to help makers establish their careers, or to enable people to learn about and develop an appreciation for craft and we will continue to focus on this.
It may well be more difficult for makers to travel or participate internationally but I hope other opportunities emerge, and we are certainly looking at how we can support makers to establish connections beyond Scotland. Craft Scotland is a partner on a three-year collaborative EU-funded project, which includes the Glasmalerei Peters Studio and because of travel and participation restrictions we will have to test models for remote working over the course of the project, so we will have some useful experience to share with the sector. There is a lot of innovative thinking within the glass sector and the wider craft sector and I do think this will lead to new ways of working and new ideas for supporting the glass community.
Absolutely! Projects of such significant scale and ambition are so important in widening access to glass skills and for sharing knowledge, but also in reminding audiences and sectors like education of the essential value in retaining and developing such specialist skills. As I know from attending the Northlands conference, watching the incredible performance involved in making glass and talking to enthusiasts and experts about the process is what excites people and inspires them to find out more and ultimately to support the sector.
I would recommend (of course) checking out the Craft Scotland website and signing up to the Crafts Scotland newsletters which promote professional opportunities and give an overview of what is happening in the sector. We always welcome contact from anyone who is interested in beginning their careers, or finding out more about the sector and are happy to chat. And professional membership organisations such as Scottish Glass Society and Applied Arts Scotland offer very useful benefits and access to a supportive professional network.
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We have been hearing positive stories from the sector during and post-lockdown but we know from our impact surveys that many craft businesses and individuals have been hit quite hard. Makers generally manage portfolio careers and work across all areas of society as a fundamental part of their practice – figures from our recent survey showed that 72% of makers work with young people, 86% in informal learning and 65% within the local community for example. Over half of makers we surveyed reported that 100% of these projects and sources of income were either postponed or cancelled as a result of Coronavirus (COVID-19). And Over 49% had lost 80-100% of their income for 2020 due to cancellation of trade shows and events; retail outlets being closed or loss of income from classes and workshops.
We had to move elements of our programme online which took some time, and were particularly prioritising activities that would help makers, including professional development webinars and advice sessions. We have also been meeting Creative Scotland and Scottish Government regularly to ensure we can inform the sector about funding and other support but also to make the case for support for the sector. And to replace our Summer Show, which had to be cancelled, we have developed an online national campaign – Craft Week Scotland which runs 9-15 November. This aims to promote makers’ websites and online shops and any craft experiences or events which are happening across the country. We hope to help boost sales for makers and craft places in the pre- Christmas period, and to raise awareness of the diversity of craft skills and the range of work available.
The increase in online buying will hopefully continue to benefit many makers or craft businesses. There seems to be a lot of interest in supporting local and independent businesses and a growing focus on areas like ethical sourcing and products with a lower carbon footprint, all of which is positive for craft.
We work with great partners such as Historic Environment Scotland, and we are members of advocacy organisations such as Culture Counts and the World Crafts Council, so we keep in touch with developments across the arts and creative industries sector and promote craft through these channels. We are also have a partnership with Department of International Trade (DIT) through which we can promote Scottish craft beyond Scotland.
I feel that as a highly skilled, adaptable and supportive sector, craft feels very resilient at the moment. Makers are very often well connected to their communities and so have networks and connections they can rely on outside of the sector, as well as their professional networks. And within the glass sector there are many passionate advocates who are able to explain why a focus on support for Glass is so important.
I think digital technologies are now part of the set of tools that makers use regularly which is really interesting, particularly when you see how this can work so well with traditional or established craft processes and materials. And of course a lot of makers are excellent at online marketing and sales so are developing that aspect of their business as well.
Of course there is concern about the uncertainties that everyone faces. And it is so disappointing for students who should be building their networks and accessing the wonderful resources in colleges. But there is still a lot of positivity and hope from members of the World Craft Council for example, with everyone determined to identify how makers and craft businesses can be supported.
You can visit our website www.craftscotland.org and sign up to our newsletters and social media
platforms to start a craft conversation.
