News from Rosy Greenlees
In this month’s update from Rosy Greenlees, we return to the continuing issue of closures, but also have some good news regarding craft in the creative industries and are delighted to introduce a new series of briefings on our website…
Rosy Greenlees, Executive Director, Crafts Council; Photo: Janie Airey, 2008
BROADFIELD HOUSE GLASS MUSEUM
Following on from our last update, it is good to note that the Wedgwood Museum in Stoke-on-Trent, which is managed by an independent trust, is not endangered by the commercial company’s problems.
However, earlier this month, it seemed that there might be less good news in the shape of the possible closure of Broadfield House Glass Museum in Dudley.
We understand the costs involved in running a public museum and realise that difficult decisions regarding funding must be taken at times. However, we strongly believe that it is the diversity of museums across the country which enables the UK to provide the public with a range of experiences and opportunities to engage with our national craft heritage, and that it is vital that these specialist collections, and the curatorial knowledge that supports them, continue to exist for future generations.
Broadfield House is just one example, but it is a good one – the only museum in the country devoted exclusively to glass, with an international reputation for excellence in the display and interpretation of glass and the history of the local glass industry. We are very pleased that Dudley Council has now confirmed that it will undertake a full, external feasibility study on Broadfield House Glass Museum which will allow all factors to be taken into account.
CRAFTS COUNCIL WEBSITE: NEW ONLINE BRIEFINGS
In addition to this bi-monthly update, we are now publishing briefing notes on our website, highlighting current issues of significance to craft and responding to relevant research and information as it is published.
The “DCMS’s Creative Industries Economic Estimates Bulletin”: (Jan 2009) shows craft employment performing strongly against the performing and visual arts. However, we think there is an even better story to be told. See more
And we continue to look at the closure of craft courses at tertiary level, drawing together the available information from UCAS, CHEAD (the Council for Higher Education in Art and Design) and the Higher Education Authority alongside our own observations. See more
We will return to this theme as necessary – while we hope that this is not too frequently, we fear that it may be a regular feature. However, we are working hard to help to address the issue through a range of activities with our partners including:
• Raising awareness of craft in the curriculum through our work with Ofsted. A report will be published later this year.
• Working with NSEAD (the National Society for Education in Art and Design) to increase teachers’ practical craft confidence. As part of this, we are supporting a Maker Teacher Weekend, in association with All Saints School, taking place in Manchester this March. This weekend will also profile the new Maker Teacher MA, a partnership between Manchester Metropolitan University and Manchester Art Gallery.
• Developing the Craft Skills Blueprint with Creative and Cultural Skills. This will be launched later in the spring.
• Continuing to work with CHEAD following the joint conference last autumn.
• Highlighting specific disciplines and niche subjects through our programme, for example through the flameworking residencies for mid-career makers at the University of Sunderland and our next residency in partnership with the Sackler Centre for arts education at the V&A which will focus on contemporary basketry.
VISITS AND MEETINGS
The last two months have seen the opening of our touring exhibitions Collecting a Kaleidoscope at City Gallery, Leicester and Wood at the William Morris Gallery in Walthamstow. In addition to attending the private view at City Gallery and visiting the annual forum for recipients of our CCDA professional development awards at West Dean College, I attended Christopher Frayling’s final lecture as outgoing Chair of Art Council England and the regular six-monthly meeting of the World Crafts Council’s UK branch, hosted on this occasion by Contemporary Applied Arts.
I also attended a useful meeting with Andy Burnham, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, which gave leaders of membership organisations from across the arts an opportunity to have a direct conversation about future opportunities and challenges. A follow-up meeting has been scheduled for the summer.
My colleagues and I had meetings with partners including Arts Council England, Creative and Cultural Skills, CHEAD, NALN, the Design Council and Engage – the National Association for Gallery Education. Amongst other events, we attended the London Art Fair, Object in Rotterdam, an Arts & Business seminar (keynote speech by the Minister for Culture, Barbara Follett) and a forum on the theme of Young People, Cultural Provision and the Creative Industries with a wide range of speakers including DCMS, NESTA, CCE, Skillset, Find Your Talent and the National Union of Teachers.
Finally, we celebrated the first birthday of our new website on 14th February, We had over 353,000 visits from over 243,000 visitors in its first year – in both cases approximately 140% of figures from the previous year, We will be adding more content to the site over the coming months so we look forward to welcoming you back.
All good wishes,
Rosy Greenlees
Executive Director
PS. I was delighted to hear that Ruthin Craft Centre, Wales and the Sackler Centre for arts education, V&A, London have both been long-listed for The Art Fund Prize, which aims to increase public appreciation and enjoyment of all that museums and galleries have to offer, and awards project that demonstrate originality, imagination and excellence. My warmest congratulations.
25 February 2009
