Craft School: Yinka’s Challenge

In collaboration with Yinka Ilori, the Crafts Council is launching a new national schools craft challenge

Love always wins, Yinka Ilori, Harrow Council, 2020. Photo: Andy Stagg

The Craft School challenge is a nationwide competition to get primary and secondary school students to submit a craft project on one of three themes: play, storytelling, and empowerment.

The challenge has been set by Crafts Council trustee and multidisciplinary artist Yinka Ilori and will take place from September 2021 to March 2022. It will encourage and nurture craft thinking and making and provide a moment to celebrate the brilliant craft creativity of a younger generation.

A large chair does not make a king, Yinka Ilori, Africa Centre, 2017. Photo: Andrew Meredith

Who can take part?

Craft School: Yinka's Challenge is a free programme for education provisions and learners from KS1 to KS4. Learners can participate individually or as collaborative groups.

When will it take place?

From September 2021 to March 2022 participating schools will create against a brief designed and set by Yinka centring on play, storytelling, and empowerment. To support teachers and learners through the challenge the Crafts Council has developed digital resources, engaging video content and further specialist CPD sessions.

In spring 2022 the challenge will culminate in a prize-giving event at the Crafts Council Gallery in London. Winners from each key stage will be selected by an expert panel from the craft world. The panel will include experts from NSEAD, AccessArt and our Learning and Business Skills supporter Cox London.

What will learners do?

Over the course of a minimum of 10 hours, working individually or in groups, we will be asking learners to draw on ‘craft thinking’. Using hand skills to explore materials, take risks and make three-dimensional forms in respond to one of three creative briefs:

Storytelling — Taking inspiration from Yinka Ilori’s Colour Palace, craft a model of a pavilion that celebrates your background or culture.
Play — Using Yinka Ilori’s Playland as inspiration create a model, using craft materials, of an amazing new space that encourages children to play together.
Empowerment — Taking inspiration from Yinka Ilori’s Restoration Station choose an everyday item and repair and redecorate it to represent who you are. The re-animated object should tell your story without the need for words.

Colour palace, Yinka Ilori, East Dulwich Picture Gallery, 2019. Image: Andy Stagg
Playland, Yinka Ilori, Pinterest for Cannes Film Festival, 2019

How do I apply?

To sign up your school, please complete the registration form by Friday 17 December.

Schools can enter a maximum of five student entries. Students are welcome to work on their own or as part of a group of up to four students.

Submission for the competition will close on midnight, Thursday 31 March 2022. No late entries will be considered.

Entries must include four A4 sheets or two A3 sheets of work that contain:

Evidence of research into artist’s work, including Yinka Ilori, and diverse communities of making and makers — we will also accept a scan of the exercise from a student workbook or free research if more suitable.
Evidence of experimentation and development. This may take the form of photographs of practical making, test pieces and models towards the development of a final piece — maximum of three photos and a minimum of three test pieces showing two craft practices.
Written statement (100 words advised but variable by age group) or one minute video from the student on their final piece. This can include a description of their choice of concept, materials, and techniques.
One photograph of the whole final piece and up to two photographs that capture the detail of making.

Begin application

Take a look at our supporting resources

For more information on all upcoming programmes and events please join our Craft Educator Facebook group.

If you have any queries or questions about the challenge please email our Education Manager, Rebecca Goozee on r_goozee@craftscouncil.org.uk

To find out more check out our FAQ document here.

Yinka Ilori, Heart of Hale, Tottenham, 2021. Photo: John Sturrock

About Yinka Ilori

Yinka Ilori is a London-based multidisciplinary artist of a British-Nigerian heritage, who specializes in storytelling by fusing his British and Nigerian heritage to tell new stories in contemporary design. Humorous, provocative and fun, every project that he creates tells a story. Bringing Nigerian verbal traditional into playful conversation with contemporary design, Yinka Ilori’s work touches on various global themes that resonate with different audiences all over the world.

Learning and Business Skills supporter

Cox London are delighted to be this year’s Crafts Council’s Learning & Business Skills Supporters; this is the third year of our partnership with the Crafts Council, a true reflection of our ongoing commitment to helping support the future generations of craft. Cox London and the Crafts Council will work closely to help ignite a passion for craft amongst school children and young people as well as supporting teachers, craft makers and craft businesses.

I never underestimate the power of those teachers who introduced me to clay and plaster and showed me how to cut wood and weld metal. Each time I was taught another process I moved closer to the profession that would nourish me, both literally and mentally, for life.
Chris Cox, creative director

Craft School: Yinka’s Challenge

Who can take part?

When will it take place?

What will learners do?

How do I apply?

Take a look at our supporting resources

Read more

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