The Crafts Council, Creative Scotland, Arts Council of Wales and Craft Northern Ireland have launched one of the most comprehensive surveys into contemporary craft of the last 10 years.
Craft in an Age of Change examines the place of contemporary craft at the beginning of the 21st century. This survey of over 2,000 makers, retailers, educators, writers and curators is the first of its kind to be conducted simultaneously in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Craft in an Age of Change confirms that makers continue to be an optimistic and adaptable group – working within a sector that, whilst changing, remains healthy, robust and of significance to the UK economy.
The survey also confirmed that the position of craft within the wider context of the creative industries is strong. Income for craft businesses is £457 million compared to London’s West End theatres’ income of £512 million and music downloads income of £316 million in 2010. The combined Gross Value Added of craft (defined as how much value makers add by transforming their raw materials into finished products) is £220 million.
The survey found that while many of the characteristics of the craft sector are unchanged – the majority of the 23,000 craft businesses in the UK are sole traders, 81% of whom are White British, and 69% of whom are women – there have been significant changes.
Amongst the findings were the highly qualified nature of the craft sector (60% of makers working possess a degree or equivalent qualification); a significant engagement with digital technologies - 57% of makers are now using digital technology in their practice or production and focus on the environmental agenda - 31% had changed their practice in the last three years in response to environmental concerns.
Four types of maker were identified in the survey – craft careerists (committed to the idea of craft as a career, who start their businesses after finishing their craft-related degree); artisans (do not have academic degrees but craft is their first/only career); career changers (began in other careers and then change to craft usually in mid-life); and returners (makers who have a craft-related degree who return to craft after first unrelated career). Significantly analysis suggests that the sector is being led by the craft careerists (38% of makers) who are younger, earning more than the craft average and keen to develop new skills and reach new markets.
Rosy Greenlees, Executive Director, Crafts Council - said: “This is an extremely significant survey – it gives us an overview of the sector at a time of unprecedented change. It will be of use to those arguing the case for the economic and social benefit of craft – and to individual makers proving a useful tool in planning their future.”
The Full report and the England Summary is available at www.craftscouncil.org.uk.
