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- Title of Abstract:
Marketing Craft: Strategic proposals for the future development of the Cumbria craft economy. (Ref #189)
- Date:
- 25-10-2006 15:28:12
- Status:
-
Accepted with revisions
- Rating:
- 6
-
Details:
- It is becoming more commonly accepted that the creative industries have an increasingly important place in the future economy of the United Kingdom, however, with published figures from Government and other policy making sources consistently showing craft as the smallest economic contributor within the creative industries, (DCMS, Creative Industry Mapping Document. 1998 and 2001), this specialist sector?s capacity to secure significant inward investment for its future development is rather less certain.
Cumbria Institute of the Arts has always had a significant relationship with craft practice. It has followed a policy of investing in the future of craft, creating new craft courses, studios and facilities when many similar educational institutions are reducing such activities in favour of new media and technologies. Recognising that this role needs to broaden significantly as we move towards full participation in the new University of Cumbria, CIA recently commissioned a twelve month craft research project. The aim the research was to explore the potential role of the CIA and other organisations and institutions in supporting the future economic consolidation of craft within the region and beyond. Research methods included literary searches, questionnaires and interviews with makers, galleries and other craft constituents, and the examination of successful strategies in other regions.
My paper will focus on the strategy prepared in response to the problems highlighted by the primary research. These include; CIA?s proposals to support the current demographic of Cumbrian craft makers through targeted professional development provision and access to facilities and equipment, recommendations for action by other agencies and institutions with an economic responsibility to the craft sector, including marketing Cumbrian craft outside the region, creating links between makers and schools and providing investment to create a new, sustainable craft development network. The presentation will provide comparisons with similar studies from other regions and will be illustrated with images of craft objects produced by the research participants.
With my own craft practice located in glass, and that of my partner in ceramics, the problems facing the craft environment are not unfamiliar to me. This first hand knowledge enabled me to devise a relevant research strategy, and to interpret the resultant findings empathetically. My traditional academic route into craft practice was preceded by a career as an international logistics manager, which has brought a balanced perspective of both micro ?producer? and macro ?industry? views of this field of creative practice.
Reviewer Comments: