The maker revolution: Can craft save our cities?
Our high streets are facing more pressure than ever before. In this talk, Crafts magazine’s panellists discuss the role that making could play in reenergising our cities post-Covid 19. ‘Art is about creating food for the soul, and the more people that can take part in that, the better their souls are going to be,’ declares Coventry 2021, UK City of Culture creative director Chenine Bhathena, pointing to the joyously colourful spaces by fellow panellist Morag Myerscough. Annie Warburton of Cockpit Arts asserted that real investment is needed in order to achieve this goal. ‘Often developers are looking for instant craft character and community, but a meaningful community takes time to develop – it’s not just a case of sprinkling a blacksmith or two among the coffee chains.’ Despite the long-term challenge, companies are increasingly stepping up, believes Brookfield Properties’ Caitlin Warfield. ‘There is more and more appetite for businesses to infuse culture and craft into their day to day [work] because they’re starting to see how important it is to mental health, wellness and sustainability.’ Hear, hear...