FAQs
What is happening to Crafts magazine?
In autumn 2022, Crafts will go from publishing six times a year (every other month) to twice a year (every six months). Each edition will be substantially weightier, made of higher quality, sustainable materials, and more timeless in its approach.
What will happen between issues?
We are ramping up our popular programme of live and digital talks, bringing you a rich annual programme of thought-provoking, interactive conversations with leading craftspeople and thinkers from the UK and abroad to watch from home or in person, as well as occasions to meet fellow readers and the Crafts editorial team at the Crafts Council Gallery and other venues across the UK.
Several in-person events will be live-streamed and others will take place fully online to watch wherever you are. Many will be available online to view later, alongside a range of exclusive digital content on the Crafts website. We will also produce a members-only newsletter, to keep you up to speed with current events, must-see exhibitions and other news.
How can I access all of this?
We are launching a new tiered membership scheme, through which readers can choose from a set of three packages, including options to attend our annual programme of live events, receive a premium-quality biannual publication, access a rich offering of digital content and take advantage of exclusive partner benefits.
You will be able to administer your account online, and will receive information on how to set up your membership closer to the time of the relaunch in autumn. We will be publishing more details about this over the next few months.
Why are you making these changes?
Crafts has been published bimonthly in print by the Crafts Council since it was launched in 1973. In recent decades, the advent of the internet has changed reading habits and offered us new ways to communicate. This new model is designed to give the craft community greater choice in how they engage with us and the craftspeople we feature new ways to showcase their work.
The shift to a biannual publishing schedule also recognises the environmental cost of printing and packaging and means we can continue to produce the printed publication while reducing our environmental footprint. By adapting to a changing world, we plan to remain the leading international magazine about contemporary craft for the next 50 years and beyond.
Why should I continue to subscribe?
As the world’s leading authority on contemporary craft, Crafts champion makers and making and plays a vital role in shaping this transformative sector. Over nearly 50 years, magazines has built its reputation on keeping its discerning audience of makers, collectors, curators, academics and craft devotees inspired and informed about the global world of making.
You – the craftspeople, curators, collectors, thinkers and enthusiasts who read and feature in the magazine – have been at its heart since 1973, and we hope you will remain part of this community at this landmark moment in our history.
These changes will give you a more varied and enjoyable experience of Crafts. Members of our community will be able to choose from a variety of ways in which to engage with the subjects we explore, with memberships starting from the price of a cup of coffee every month. The print magazine will contain timeless features and critical coverage of the craft world in a premium-quality form that you will want to keep and read again.
Through our talks, we will bring you a roster of leading makers from around the world to discuss the most pressing issues facing the field and the wider world. Our digital coverage will offer you written, video and audio content, as well as keeping you abreast of the latest news and activities in the creative world.
How does this compare to my current subscription?
Each issue of the magazine will have roughly double the number of pages compared with the current magazine, so annually you receive the equivalent of four editions in its existing form. We will publish exclusive online content every week, applying the same journalistic standards as we do for the printed edition; you will receive this in a readable format in a twice monthly e-newsletter.
You will be able to watch several talks online every year, as well as attending talks, launch parties and other events in person. A dedicated community manager will work to secure you a range of offers and discounts with partner institutions and brands, to enhance your experience of craft in your daily life.
What will happen to my current subscription and payments?
Our May/June 2022 issue was the last of the current iteration of the magazine. All current subscribers will have an extra two months added to their current subscription to allow us to make the transition to a new format over the summer. We will contact you with a link to reactivate your existing subscription in the autumn, ahead of the next magazine being published.
If you are a current subscriber to Crafts, you will be offered top tier membership (worth £96 for UK subscribers) for the remainder of your current subscription period at your existing rate, and for one additional year after your subscription renews for a preferential rate. This will allow you to take advantage of the full range of benefits outlined above, and mean that as a founding member, we will consult and involve you closely as our offer evolves. We will be in touch before the relaunch with more details on how to take up this offer.
What if I want to cancel my subscription?
We very much hope you will continue to be part of the Crafts community and that you will enjoy our new offer of high-quality, thought-provoking content and conversation across print, digital and live events for the same price as your current subscription. However, if you wish to cancel your current subscription then you will have the option to do this when we contact you again over the summer
I know someone else who might be interested in Crafts membership or in pre-ordering the magazine – what can they do?
We will be offering benefits to early members and on magazine pre-orders. Anyone can sign up here to be notified when they can take up the offer.
How can I find out more or speak to the Crafts team?
If you have any further questions, please email subscriptions@craftsmagazine.org.uk. Please register your interest here or below to be notified of any updates as our plans take shape, as well as any related events and editorial.