World Crafts Council Briefing Note
Founded in 1964, the World Crafts Council (WCC) is a non-profit, non-governmental organization. Its purpose is:
• to strengthen the status of crafts as a vital part of cultural and economic life
• to promote fellowship among the craftspeople of the world
• to offer encouragement, help and, advice
• and to foster economic development through income generating activities.
WCC is affiliated to UNESCO in a consultative status and is organised into five regions –Africa, Asia Pacific, Europe, Latin America and North America. The current presidency is held by India.
http://www.worldcraftscouncil.org/index.html
The World Crafts Council Europe
The European Presidency is based in Germany and held by Bernd Roeter. The Europe Board is nominated by the membership and includes members from different European Countries
The activities of WCC Europe include a website, annual meeting, giving prizes (including the European Prize for Contemporary Craft) and partnering with craft fairs – this year with the new fair Eunique launched in Karlsruhe.
Each European country can have full membership although there are other levels of membership for any organisation or individual who wants to join. The Crafts Council pays the UK membership and provides the administration for the UK WCC Committee.
http://www.wcc-europe.org/
The World Crafts Council UK
The current UK WCC Committee consists of the Crafts Council, Arts Council England, Scottish Arts Council, Arts Council Wales, Craft Northern Ireland, the Devon Guild of Craftsmen and Contemporary Applied Arts. The Committee is chaired by Clare Twomey.
The UK Committee meets three times a year to share information and to feed back to the European Committee. This year the WCC Europe membership were invited to a seminar at Collect and this is planned to be an annual event leading up to the UK offering itself as the host for a future WCC Europe AGM.
There is no website for the UK Committee but future updates will be posted on the Crafts Council website.
04 Sepetember 2009
