Graduates in craft subjects
As the new government reviews further cuts to higher education a new study finds graduates in craft subjects in work, achieving their creative potential and keenly developing entrepreneurial skills.
The major study, Crafting Futures, to be published by the Crafts Council at their annual conference Assemble next week (Tuesday 22 June, 2010) explores the early careers of more than 600 graduates in craft subjects some six years on from graduation.
The crafts sector is part of the wider creative industries and contributes £3 billion to the UK economy each year.
The study explores the value of craft education to the economy through the experiences of craft graduates as they move from higher education into work.
The timing of the research, during the economic downturn, offers unique insights into the impact of recession on their working lives and the strategies they employ to continue to work towards their goals.
Key findings:
• At the time of the survey 9 out of 10 craft graduates were in paid work, the majority in creative jobs and in or close to achieving their career goals.
• Three out of five craft graduates had worked in the creative industries and in their field of expertise since graduating.
• 37% of craft graduates had worked freelance since graduating and at the time of the survey 15% were still doing so.
• 26% had started a business during their early careers and 19% currently had their own business.
• Portfolio careers are well established, with 50% of craft graduates in multiple jobs at the time of the survey, typically combining employment with self-employment, study or developing their creative practice.
• Teaching represents a significant career choice for craft graduates: 41% of craft graduates had experience of teaching in their early careers and 25% were teaching at the time of the survey.
• 53% of graduates were the first generation in their families to go to university (proxy for socio-economic class). Yet, these graduates appeared to be just as successful and satisfied in their careers as those from more privileged backgrounds.
Commenting on the new report, Rosy Greenlees, Executive Director, Crafts Council, says:
“The report highlights at a difficult time for higher education the value of an education in crafts subjects which provides a context for academic study, work experience, employability, professional development, innovation, enterprise and productive careers.”
“Higher education institutions provide an environment that fosters ‘intelligent making’ and encourages important employability skills and key career survival skills.”
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For further information please contact Jill Read, Press Officer, Crafts Council, Tel: 020 7806 2549 or Email: media@craftscouncil.org.uk
Notes to Editors
• The Crafts Council’s goal is to make the UK the best place to make, see, collect and learn about contemporary craft.
We believe that craft plays a dynamic and vigorous role in the UK’s social, economic and cultural life.
We believe that everyone should have the opportunity to make, see, collect and learn about craft.
We believe that the strength of craft lies in its use of traditional and contemporary techniques, ideas and materials to make extraordinary new work.
We believe that the future of craft lies in nurturing talent; children and young people must be able to learn about craft at school and have access to excellent teaching throughout their education.
• 11% of the UK population visited a craft exhibition in 20089/09, and 17% participated in craft activity in the same year (DCMS/ACE Taking Part data update August 2009).
• More than 2.8 million visits were made to the Crafts Council website in 2009. To find out everything you need to know about where to make, see, collect and learn about contemporary craft visit www.craftscouncil.org.uk
• The Crafts Council is supported by Arts Council England. Arts Council England works to get great art to everyone by championing, developing and investing in artistic experiences that enrich people’s lives. As the national development agency for the arts, it supports a range of artistic activities from theatre to music, literature to dance, photography to digital art, and carnival to crafts. Between 2008 and 2011, Arts Council England will invest £1.3 billion of public money from government and a further £0.3 billion from the National Lottery to create these experiences for as many people as possible across the country.
