April 2022
This month:
- Supporting makers’ businesses with our international toolkit and an analysis of makers’ business needs
- Responding to climate change – our new circular economy briefing and a survey on evolving design
- New initiatives and resources to develop the workforce
Supporting makers’ businesses
We’ve just launched our International Toolkit for craft businesses, a one stop-shop of information for makers looking to sell and showcase their work overseas. It includes a guidebook, downloadable resources featuring advice from other makers and free templates and checklists.
You can also access the results of our 2021 Maker Needs Survey. The findings show the impact of Brexit and Covid-19 on makers and are informing the focus of our new business advice.
Responding to climate change
We’ve published a short briefing on the circular economy, to help explain what it is and the role it can play in creating sustainable craft businesses.
Salford University are looking for participants in a survey on craft and furniture design as part of the AHRC-funded CRAFT project. The craft furniture industry in Damietta, Egypt, is under threat from climate change and contemporary political decision-making. The project aims to examine, map and promote the cultural and economic resilience of Damietta. The questionnaire aims to address how the industry can respond to global market standards and customer needs.
Here are links to more details about the survey and the project.
Helping implementation of the Craft and Design T Level
Crafts Council have welcomed the new T Level qualifications. We’ve contributed to the development and validation of the Craft and Design T Level, as well as being a partner in the campaign for #ProtectStudentChoice. But in response to the recent consultation on regulating academic and technical qualifications at level 3 we’re urging Ofqual to ensure there are flexible pathways for all learners studying creative subjects and that implementation is successful for all types of providers and learners. Attention should not just focus on grades and employability.
Developing the workforce
King's College London and the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Creative Diversity are to examine diversity and inclusion in the talent pipeline – both formal tertiary education and programmes outside these educational settings. This follows the publication last year of Creative Majority, examining what works to enhance equity, diversity and inclusion in the creative sector.
Creative Leadership Now: A TCCE mini-publication explores the topic in a series of short essays, poems and provocations.
The Irish Government has launched a pilot scheme to support artists and creative arts workers. The Basic Income for the Arts pilot scheme will examine the impact of a basic income over a 3 year period. Payments of €325 per week will be made to 2,000 eligible artists and creative arts workers who will be selected at random and invited to take part.
