How to hire and borrow
David Poston - Hyper-Cube (2011)
As one of the leading contemporary British craft collections in the UK, Crafts Council is committed to making its collections publicly accessible through loans to museums and galleries and related organisations, partnership projects, touring exhibitions, support of educational projects, our handling collection and through Craft Council's collections website.
How to borrow
Short-term loans - initial period of loan is less than one year with the potential for renewal.
Long-term loans - initial period of loan is three years with the potential for renewal.
Out of the Box - long-term loans of objects acquired over 15 years ago. The initial period of loan is five years with the potential for renewal.
Once you have decided which type of loan you would like, please send a full proposal outlining the exhibition and why you would like to borrow the requested objects along with the following forms:
Hans Coper - Pot (1972)
Curate with Us
If you would like to borrow a number of pieces from our Collection to form the basis of an exhibition we can help you.
Our Exhibitions and Collections team is able to help support the development of exhibitions and display by offering consultation on object choice, display and interpretation in order to ensure maximum impact of your exhibition.
For more information contact the Collections team
Examining an object from Crafts Council's Handling Collection. Photo: Sabrina Chu
Discover our Handling Collection
With over 800 objects to explore, our unique and wide-ranging Handling Collection faciliates a wealth of close-up encounters with craft. The Handling Collection was established in 1979 as a tactile counterpart to exhibitions, learning programmes and the Primary Collection. From material samples, sketches and test pieces to finished works, it provides a window into makers’ concepts and processes across half a century of craft. Categories to explore include basketry, ceramics, textiles, glass, metal, wood and more.
Explore the Handling Collection at Collections Online
Examining an object from Crafts Council's Handling Collection. Photo: Hayley Madden Examining an object from Crafts Council's Handling Collection. Photo: Hayley Madden
Loan from us
The Handling Collection is for everyone — educators, community groups, makers and enthusiasts alike. The objects from this collection can enrich your workshops, exhibitions, and educational programmes. Get in touch with the team to learn more
Visit us
Join our free monthly Collection Store tour for a guided introduction to the space and a selection of Handling Collection objects currently on display.
