Maker Needs Survey

Our annual survey of maker needs provides intelligence on the reality of running a craft business today. Your insight is essential and the data gathered directly informs our offer for makers, designers and artists at all stages of their careers.

In addition, the information we gather on the challenges and barriers facing our industry helps support our advocacy work and government lobbying for much needed sector support.

You said, we listened

Read on to see a summary of each year's findings and to download a pdf report.

2022

Our 7th annual Maker Needs Survey was conducted at the end of 2022, with a 24% increase in respondents year on year (639 compared to 491 in 2021). The findings indicate a sector facing significant challenges, met with customary resilience.

The survey highlighted a need for support with marketing, securing funding and working with galleries. Support with exporting and environmental sustainability also remain top priorities.

• We have conducted a series of sustainability roundtables across the country. These discussions will deepen our shared understanding of the concerns and challenges facing craft businesses and ensure we respond with a practical action plan. Our preliminary findings will be presented in March 2023.
• In April 2023 we will be launching a resource to help makers with temporary exporting, this will suppliment our International Toolkit as we continue to unravel the complexities of exporting and build confidence in selling and showcasing work overseas.

2021

In 2021 492 makers who completed our survey and highlighted the need for support on environmental sustainability; intellectual property and copyright; exporting post-Brexit and mentoring.

• Our first action was to share our findings with Craft UK so that other organisations can understand and respond to your needs.
• We launched our International Toolkit, a step-by-step guide to exporting.
• We hosted a webinar with Briffa Legal on Intellectual Property and copyright and produced a new resource on General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
• Began scheduling in-person round tables on environmental sustainability with makers - findings to be shared in March 2023.
• Increased our one to one business booster sessions.

In addition to this work, we continued to produce new and updated business resources to support makers needs.

2020

Our fifth annual Maker Needs survey received our largest ever count of completed surveys. 850 took part in December 2020 and answered additional questions in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the impact of Brexit and the experience economy. This survey followed the launch of our market for craft report and data tool.

Since 2016 there was a shift in maker needs with 48% flagging advice on funding and marketing as a top priority, alongside working with galleries and mental wellbeing.

• We developed new marketing resources, relevant to post COVID-19 advice.
• Provided a comprehensive guide for craft businesses to navigate Brexit trade implications.
• Developed accessible business resources.

Data protection

Survey responses are data controlled and processed by the Crafts Council. We take your data seriously. Your contacts details will only be used to contact you for the purposes you have agreed to. For more information please refer to the Crafts Council's privacy policy.