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The European Market for Crafts | Report on the €50 billion market of the European Crafts sector (2023)
Under the EU co-funded CRAFTING project, WCCE is pleased to present a new comprehensive study they have commissioned which examines the European crafts market, estimated to encompass approximately 153 million people and be worth in the region of 50 billion euros.
The report was undertaken by Ohayō Brand Curation and is the first of 5 reports which will be released between 2023-2025 under the EU co-funded CRAFTING project.
This first in-depth study provides a clear profile of crafts consumers and systematic insights from craftspeople/crafts experts, offering an overview of the sector as well as deepening our understanding of the European crafts market.
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The Role of the Scottish Glass Society in Sustaining and Developing the Glass Sector in Scotland (2022)
In its 40th anniversary year, the volunteer-led Scottish Glass Society (SGS) seized the opportunity to take stock of what it had achieved; what the current needs of its members and the wider Scottish glass sector were; and what was needed to ensure the Society could continue to effectively promote Scottish glass and support practitioners in the coming years.
Using funding from Creative Scotland’s Open Project Fund the Society employed a creative industries freelancer to review the current work of the Society and make recommendations on the operational and strategic direction for the organisation based on the needs of its members and the sector. Surveys and focus groups with SGS members and interviews with key individuals in the creative sector identified a strong and widespread belief in the value of the work of the Society, a desire to see the Society widen its activity base, and the recognition that a more sustainable working model, with less reliance on volunteers, was required in order to do so. The key areas of the Society’s work were identified as member support, education and sector support.
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Selling Platforms for Art, Craft and Design in Scotland Report (2021)
The Selling Platforms Report for Visual Arts, Craft and Design in Scotland was commissioned by Creative Scotland in 2019 and gives an important insight into the experience of people working in the sector in a variety of roles, from the maker to the seller.
The research was undertaken by Pace Projects. An Advisory Group with representatives from the sector has been established to inform and guide the work (see Section 11 of the report for Advisory Group membership).
The report reflects a pre-pandemic world, but showed growth in the numbers of open studios and commercial galleries selling work, increased sales and customers for the sector - both locally and nationally – and more opportunities for selling internationally and online.
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The Market for Craft (2020)
The Market for Craft is a rich analysis of who is buying craft, why and where. Using survey findings from consumers in the UK and two US cities, as well as makers and intermediaries supporting craft businesses, the report shows how craft sales are worth £3 billion to the UK economy and that there is a growing new generation of younger craft consumers.
Published by the Crafts Council and partners. The report was undertaken by Morris Hargreaves McIntyre in partnership with Arts Council Wales, Contemporary Visual Arts Network, Craft NI, Craft Scotland, Creative Scotland, Creative United, The Goldsmith's Company and Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair.
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Endangered Baskets Report (2020)
The Endangered Baskets Report (2020) arises from the first UK-wide survey of the skills and knowledge relating to endangered baskets and heritage basketry techniques. The aims of this project were to raise awareness, to build on existing research to create a list of endangered baskets, and to consult with the Basketmaking community to develop an action plan to promote and preserve these skills as part of our intangible cultural heritage.
The project, steered by the Heritage Crafts Association, was led by Mary Lewis, with Selena Chandler from The Basketmakers' Association playing a major role in writing the final report. It was supported by the Museum for Rural Life in Reading, who hosted a Symposium in October 2019, and was jointly funded by The Basketmakers’ Association and The Worshipful Company of Basketmakers.
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The Cockpit Effect Report (2018)
The Cockpit Effect Report 2018 considers some of the major issues faced by craft businesses today and illustrates how the different components of the Cockpit Business Incubator model is designed to help these businesses address those challenges. The report also highlights the value that their partners bring in supporting targeted interventions alongside the general incubator offer, not only for the benefit of individual businesses but potentially the wider sector over the longer term.
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Who Makes? (2018)
The Crafts Council's report describes the demographic characteristics of people working in craft occupations. The Crafts Council is keen to ensure that accurate data, supported by an analysis of the sector’s characteristics, are available both to makers and policy-makers who wish to understand craft. The Crafts Council has been working closely with the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) to improve official data on the craft sector.
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Craft+ Place in The Highlands + Islands (2018)
This report is from The Glasgow School of Art. This pamphlet seeks to open up a greater understanding of these contributions and relationships in practice, and provide a better understanding of the role of ‘place’ for craft makers who have chosen to live and work in the Highlands & Islands of Scotland.
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The Radcliffe Red List of Endangered Crafts (2017)
In May 2017, the Heritage Crafts Association (HCA) published The Radcliffe Red List of Endangered Crafts, the first research of its kind in the UK. This research has enabled the HCA to shine a light on this important aspect of the UK’s collective intangible heritage that has, until now, been languishing in the dark.
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Studying Craft (2016)
Studying Craft 2016 is the third in the Crafts Council research series, Studying Craft: trends in craft education and training, first published in 2014. The findings provide a comprehensive review of contemporary craft education in England, to enable policy makers, programme designers, educators and makers to understand the risks facing the long-term future of craft education and training.
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Naked Craft Network (2013 - 2016)
The Naked Craft Network (NCN) is a collaboration between researchers in Scotland and Canada, two countries where craft plays a key role in the cultural and creative industries.
The Network aims to develop a greater understanding of how craft practices have evolved, strengthening connections between creativity, place, landscape and identity, and providing communities with important financial frameworks.
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Mixture Matters: The challenges and opportunities in the business models of Craft Development Organisations (2015)
The Catalyst Craft Consortium – comprising of Bluecoat Display Centre, Liverpool; Craftspace, Birmingham; Devon Guild, Bovey Tracey, Devon; Manchester Craft & Design Centre; and Smiths Row, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk – has been working to develop skills and evidence to attract philanthropy and investment, and explore new areas of fundraising. The consortium commissioned this report to investigate the challenges and opportunities in the business models of contemporary craft development organisations. The report is based on financial data and is written by Sarah Thelwall. The consortium was funded by Arts Council England’s ‘Catalyst 3: building fundraising capacity’ scheme (2013-15).
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Collective Futures: Final Report (2015)
Collective Futures: Cultivating Creative Collectives was a one-year Creative Scotland funded project focussed on the development of creative entrepreneurial talent. The project sought to share knowledge and create practical guidance for collective working to help individual designer-makers enhance their own professional development and ensure continued success in their own region and across geographic boundaries. In so doing, the project seeks to support the creative economy. Published by Collective Futures team.
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Measuring the Craft Economy: defining and measuring craft (2014)
The Craft Economy gives the fullest picture to date of the value and scale of craft’s contribution to the UK economy. Published by the Crafts Council.
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Breaking The Mould: how Etsy and online craft marketplaces are changing the nature of business (2014)
The number of online craft marketplaces has proliferated in recent years, fuelled in part by the growing popularity of making and selling handmade goods. Yet despite their growth, there is still much that we do not know about the people using them and the impact they have had on their lives. Published by the RSA (Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce).
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Craft in the Age of Change (2012)
Scotland accounts for almost 15% of the UK’s total craft businesses (3,350 from a UK total of 23,000), working predominantly in jewellery, textiles and ceramics. Craft in an Age of Change examines the place of contemporary craft at the beginning of the 21st century. This survey of over 2,000 makers, retailers, educators, writers and curators is the first of its kind to be conducted simultaneously in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Published by the Crafts Council.
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Shetland Textiles Sector Review (2012)
Weave Consult was commissioned by Shetland Islands Council to undertake a review of the Shetland textile sector. The overall aim of the review is to provide a comprehensive analysis of the barriers to industry growth, and suggest practical ways in which the industry, stakeholders and public sector can work together to develop the Shetland textile sector in the future.
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Consuming Scottish Craft Market Analysis (2011)
PHT Consultants were commissioned by Craft Scotland in November 2010 to undertake research on the
market for consuming and buying craft in Scotland. There has been much work already undertaken to
investigate the characteristics of the craft market, and on this basis the outputs of this report have
sought to build on various research surveys and report documents already undertaken together with
additional new research; to explore the potential for developing new audiences for contemporary craft,
and strengthen understanding of the existing craft‐buying audience.Info
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Consuming Craft (2010)
Research has shown significant shifts in consumer demand, towards value-centred products, services and experiences which meet emotional – as well as functional – needs. As markets evolve in response to the recession and a changing economy, there is a need to understand how these values – and their associated behaviours – may shift and settle into new patterns of consumption relevant to contemporary craft. Consuming Craft profiles the contemporary craft market in a changing economy. Published by the Crafts Council.
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The Craft Blueprint: A Workforce Development Plan for Craft in the UK (2009)
The Craft Blueprint addresses the way skills are demanded, developed and delivered for the craft workforce across the UK. Published by Creative & Cultural Skills.
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Future Focus: Developing audiences for Scottish Craft (2009)
Future Focus is the outcome of intensive research and consultation by The Audience Business, Glasgow Grows Audience and Hi-Arts for the Scottish Arts Council from 2008-09 to develop an evidence base for strategic decision making in Crafts Audience Development in Scotland. The report includes a draft action plan with recommendations for future activities and initiatives across the sector. The Scottish Arts Council has recently awarded £48,535 to craftscotland Ltd to implement some key strands of activity. Published by the Scottish Arts Council.
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Crafts Audiences in Scotland (2007)
The Scottish Arts Council commissioned this two-phased project to gain a further understanding of the motivations and attitudes of the audience for crafts in Scotland. The study aimed to better understand the current and potential audiences for crafts as well as the relationship between craft attendees and craft participants.
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Purchasers of Contemporary Applied Arts (2003)
Research produced for the Scottish Arts Council to assist in developing a better understanding of the motivations for purchasing contemporary applied arts and of the influences that impact upon the purchase decision.
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Glorious Obsession: Scottish Indigenous Crafts Today (2000)
This revised booklet is part of the Scottish Arts Council’s commitment to supporting traditional arts and artists. First issued in 1997, it was the outcome of an independent survey carried out by Margaret Stuart, of those crafts which have their origins in the indigenous cultures of Scotland.
Glorious Obsession aims to demonstrate some of the wealth of this aspect of Scottish culture, and to illustrate, through a selection of projects which have taken place around Scotland, how public understanding and opportunities for participation may be increased.Info