Connecting craft and communities
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Exeter
Department Name: Geography
Abstract
The Connecting Craft and Communities network responded to the current resurgence of interest around craft and addressed the ways in which making works to connect people together.
The purpose of the network was to consider the nexus between people and the changing cultures, politics, practices and skills of craft in the 21st century. Discussions focused on developing an understanding of the role of craft in strengthening connections, enabling self-reliance, enhancing health and well-being and making sustainable economic futures through the workshop themes: 'Crafting Communities', Crafting futures' and 'Crafting sustainability and wellbeing'. The networking project took place across three, two-day participatory workshops held between April and September 2011. In all, the workshops brought together 76 professional and amateur makers, activists, creative organisations, intermediaries, policy makers, researcher-practitioners and academics. Together these participants reflected on the challenges and opportunities of connecting craft and communities.
The workshops were supported by a website: http://connectingcraftcommunities.wordpress.com
The purpose of the network was to consider the nexus between people and the changing cultures, politics, practices and skills of craft in the 21st century. Discussions focused on developing an understanding of the role of craft in strengthening connections, enabling self-reliance, enhancing health and well-being and making sustainable economic futures through the workshop themes: 'Crafting Communities', Crafting futures' and 'Crafting sustainability and wellbeing'. The networking project took place across three, two-day participatory workshops held between April and September 2011. In all, the workshops brought together 76 professional and amateur makers, activists, creative organisations, intermediaries, policy makers, researcher-practitioners and academics. Together these participants reflected on the challenges and opportunities of connecting craft and communities.
The workshops were supported by a website: http://connectingcraftcommunities.wordpress.com
Organisations
| Description | The Connecting Craft and Communities network responded to the current resurgence of interest around craft and addressed the ways in which making works to connect people together. The purpose of the network was to consider the nexus between people and the changing cultures, politics, practices and skills of craft in the 21st century. Discussions focused on developing an understanding of the role of craft in strengthening connections, enabling self-reliance, enhancing health and well-being and making sustainable economic futures through the workshop themes: 'Crafting Communities', Crafting futures' and 'Crafting sustainability and wellbeing'. The networking project took place across three, two-day participatory workshops held between April and September 2011. In all, the workshops brought together 76 professional and amateur makers, activists, creative organisations, intermediaries, policy makers, researcher-practitioners and academics. Together these participants reflected on the challenges and opportunities of connecting craft and communities. |
| Exploitation Route | Creative Economy 3rd sector working with in art, craft and design contacts Community participatory context |
| Sectors | Communities and Social Services/Policy,Creative Economy |
| URL | http://connectingcraftcommunities.wordpress.com |
| Description | The findings have informed the development of larger AHRC grants, including those undertaken by Dr Nicola Thomas and Dr Fiona Hackney. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2012 |
| Sector | Creative Economy,Healthcare |
| Impact Types | Cultural,Societal |
| Description | AHRC Follow on Funding |
| Amount | £80,070 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | AH/M008452/1 |
| Organisation | Arts & Humanities Research Council (AHRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 02/2015 |
| End | 07/2016 |
| Description | Connecting online and offline craft communities of practice and interest. |
| Amount | £40,000 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | AH/J012009/1 |
| Organisation | Arts & Humanities Research Council (AHRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | |
| Description | Connecting online and offline craft communities of practice and interest. |
| Amount | £40,000 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | AH/J012009/1 |
| Organisation | Arts & Humanities Research Council (AHRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | |
| Description | PhD studentship: Crafts, Health and Well-being |
| Amount | £60,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Arts & Humanities Research Council (AHRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 10/2012 |
| End | 12/2015 |
| Description | PhD studentship: Crafts, Health and Well-being |
| Amount | £60,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Arts & Humanities Research Council (AHRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 10/2012 |
| End | 12/2015 |
| Description | AHRC Network, 3 workshops |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Participants in your research and patient groups |
| Results and Impact | 3 2 day workshops with a mix of academic, creative practitioner, policy making audiences The three workshops inspired a series of further research and enabled strong networking. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2011 |
| URL | http://www.ahrc.ac.uk/Funding-Opportunities/Research-funding/Connected-Communities/Scoping-studies-a... |
| Description | Development of the Gloucestershire Guild of Craftsmen online community history |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Study participants or study members |
| Results and Impact | The learning from this Connected Communities award has informed the development of the Gloucestershire Guild of Craftsmen online history. During the Summer of 2017 the Guild members, friends, family and supporters will populate a new website within the Gloucestershire Guild of Craftsmen own platform to share their histories of the Guild as a community of practice and interest. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |