Crafts Council will create a new a new membership scheme, bringing its three existing memberships together on one platform with a wide range of maker resources, inspirational writing on craft, programming events and activities - creating a digital home for craft makers and craft lovers everywhere.
As part of the work Crafts Council is doing to refocus its work supporting UK craft makers, the national charity has announced that it will close its print magazine Crafts, with its current and final issue 299 - Autumn/Winter 2024 its last.
The changes are informed by sector-wide responses to Crafts Council’s new biannual Makers Survey, which have enabled it to understand how best to support the UK craft community. Full survey results will be published this Spring.
Responding to the national survey, makers said they need increased professional support and accessible resources to help them navigate today’s challenging economic and market conditions. Whether they make some, or all of their income from craft, makers clearly voiced their need for support for their ongoing professional development; highlighted their limited access to and confidence in securing funding; and articulated the importance to them of Crafts Council being a visible, active champion of craft talent and a driver of new opportunities for them.
The new scheme, to launch this summer, will bring Crafts Council's Crafts, Crafts Council Directory and Young Craft Citizens membership communities together - creating a single community platform at craftscouncil.org.uk. Additionally, in response to makers’ needs, Crafts Council is improving access to its wide-ranging digital resources and will continue to expand its offer on craft business support, creating craft careers and more.
Throughout its 50-year history, Crafts has provided access to celebrated and upcoming makers, exploring the joy and curiosity of contemporary craft through the highest-quality journalism. The entire, digitised Crafts archive will remain available to members online, continuing to provide inspiration and insight into the trends and highlights of craft in the UK over more than half a century.
Natalie Melton, Executive Director at Crafts Council, said:
“The role of Crafts Council is to inspire making, empower learning and nurture craft businesses. Like many creative professionals, craft makers are currently facing significant challenges in sustaining an income. Our recent survey has powerfully reinforced the need for us to continue to evolve at pace, revealing the considerable value our maker community places on accessible resources, hands-on support, and broader regional engagement. We are committed to reshaping and clarifying our offerings to better serve craft makers and lovers, and direct our resources towards fostering growth, providing inspiration, and stimulating greater collaboration across the sector.”
On the closure of Crafts, Natalie Melton continued: “When Crafts was established in 1973, a printed magazine was the most appropriate format to give makers a platform as well as providing inspiration, insight and information to crafters. For more than 50 years, Crafts has fulfilled this role with impactful and engaging editorial. We very much share and understand the sadness that will be felt by readers at the loss of the magazine.
“My immense thanks go to Crafts’ talented and knowledgeable former editor, Debika Ray, and the editorial team who, alongside many freelance contributors, shaped a highly respected and valued print publication and leave an important legacy.”