Autumn is here, and with the change of the seasons, we would like to share the latest news and upcoming plans from Craft Scotland.
The past few months have underscored the challenging landscape that makers, curators, educators, and craft professionals face today. Craft plays a significant role in Scotland’s economy, while also remaining one of the most recognised facets of Scottish culture globally. With over 2,000 small craft businesses and countless freelancers, the sector is vital to regional economies throughout the country.
As the national development agency for craft, we remain committed to advocating for the craft sector. We aim to demonstrate the value of craft as an artform, a creative industry and contributor to our country’s wellbeing and communities. We regularly highlight the contributions of makers and identify key areas that need support and investment through research and consultation.
One key area for advocacy is the inclusion of craft education in Scotland’s schools. We are continuing our Learning and Engagement work by supporting craft education through Career-Long Professional Learning (CLPL) sessions for teachers and partnership projects.
Together with Panel, we are advancing our joint advocacy project MAKE Learn and delivering MAKE with the Knit Shop; a two-year teacher development project designed to embed craft approaches in schools supported by Paul Hamlyn Foundation. Working with six primary schools in Dundee, the project is introducing teachers and pupils to new craft-based approaches that support numeracy skills development in the classroom.
We have been working hard on our Strategic and Business Plan for 2025-2028, while also progressing funding applications including the Multi-Year Funding Programme from Creative Scotland. Alongside peer organisations, we await the outcome from the application in October. Whilst the process has been time-intensive, it has afforded our team and Board some valuable time for deep reflection and planning.
This Plan has been shaped by strategic review sessions, sector surveys, consultations, and various research studies commissioned by Craft Scotland or conducted with partners. These efforts have helped us pinpoint areas of need, gaps in support and future challenges. Moving forward, our work will focus on three mission pillars: Presenting Craft, Learning and Engagement, and Leadership and Advocacy.
We are also refreshing our Presenting Craft programme, particularly in terms of exhibitions and opportunities for makers to connect with both new and established audiences. Working with an independent researcher, we are evaluating our participation in Collect, with the aim of measuring the Fair’s long-term impact on participating makers and the wider craft sector (read more about our 10 editions of Collect and associated research project). The insights gained from this research will help shape our future plans, with additional sector consultations planned to explore new markets and opportunities. Key findings from the Collect research will be shared to support sector development in 2025/26.
Whilst we develop future exhibitions and events, we are pleased to be supporting If only we had the space curated by COMPASS Curators as part of Craft Scotland’s first Emerging Curators programme. It will explore modern and contemporary politics of housing, property rights, and access to space, featuring a new commission by textile designer Jeni Allison alongside works in textiles, ceramics, and glass by Deirdre Nelson, Fionn Duffy, and Jack Brindley. These works will be contextualised with Glasgow-based archival ephemera and film footage (17 – 26 Oct, Platform, Easterhouse, Glasgow G34 9JW).
Our maker awards return, and below you will find key application deadlines. Round 9 of the Jorum Craft Award is now open, and we are thrilled to be offering twice the amount to previous rounds thanks to our partner Jorum Studio. More dates for your diary include Craft Week Scotland 2024, Round 10 of Jorum Craft Award and Inches Carr Craft Bursaries 2025.
We continue our series of long-standing partnerships focusing on connecting local communities with contemporary craft to widen access to the benefits of craft and making. Making Circles by Ostrero explores circular design with primary and secondary schools. Our partnership with Historic Environment Scotland continues with our residency project Making History and this month launches the Re-Symposium, which will explore decolonising craft and creativity.
We’re sad to say goodbye to Jo Scott, Head of Programmes, who will be leaving us at the end of October after 14½ years of dedicated service. You can read more about Jo’s impactful tenure and celebrate her legacy for the craft sector.
The Craft Scotland team is here to support the craft community, with all current programmes, projects, and services continuing as usual. This autumn and winter, we will be joined by Ebba Goring (jeweller and former Director of The Scottish Goldsmiths Trust) to help support our activities during this period of transition.
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Key Projects and Dates
Jorum Round 9
The Jorum Craft Award is a materials-focused grant supported by Jorum Studio, in association with Craft Scotland. See previous recipients.
- Applications open: 12 Sept 2024
- Applications close: 22 Oct 2024
- Successful applicants notified: 15 Nov 2024
Jorum Round 10
The Jorum Craft Award is a materials-focused grant supported by Jorum Studio, in association with Craft Scotland. See previous recipients.
- Applications open: 12 Dec 2024
- Applications close: 14 Jan 2025
- Successful applicants notified: end January 2025
Craft Week Scotland 2024
Craft Week Scotland encourages audiences across Scotland to discover, shop and learn about contemporary craft. Our festive marketing and PR campaign will return 11 – 17 November 2024. This year we will focus on retail, celebrating the vibrant community of shops, galleries, markets and fairs that provide a platform for makers to showcase and sell their work.
Craft Directory - Winter
Craft Scotland’s Directory is the go-to destination for those who are passionate about supporting Scottish craft and looking for beautiful handmade objects. Makers can apply to join our selection of Scotland’s talented makers and have their work featured on our popular website, social media and press articles.
- Applications open: Dec 2024
- Applications close: Feb 2025
- Successful applicants notified: end-Feb 2025
Inches Carr Craft Awards 2025
With a prestigious history spanning 25 years, the Inches Carr Craft Bursaries have supported the careers of prominent Scottish makers, as well as providing opportunities to many makers early in their development. See 2024 recipients.
Opportunity dates for both Emerging Maker and Established Maker award categories:
- Applications open: 6 March 2025
- Applications close: 4 May 2025
- Successful applicants notified: end-May 2025
Promote Your Craft Events and Opportunities for Free
Promote your craft workshop, event or exhibition to an engaged and enthusiastic craft audience with our free What’s On platform.
We are keen to promote your festive activity through our platforms. Simply list your event on our What’s On section for the chance to be included in our dedicated What’s On round-up in mid-Nov.
Attract Scotland-based makers to apply to your professional opportunities, with our free Opportunities platform.
Be the first to know with our newsletters
Keep up to date with Craft Scotland and more sector-wide opportunities through the monthly Inside Craft Scotland and Opportunities newsletter.
Send us your news
Please send us your news and press releases about recent launches, awards and collaborations to hello@craftscotland.org.
Craft TV
Delve into the practices of Scotland-based makers and learn about their creative process, techniques, and inspiration. We are always looking to add exciting craft-related videos to Craft TV, email hello@craftscotland.org with information about your video.
Cover image: Jeni Allison for If only we had the space / Photography by Laura Prieto Martin
