Crafts Council's Makers Survey, conducted in 2024, explored makers’ involvement in the craft community and the support they need to build successful craft practices.
Through the survey, we heard from more than 1,000 makers across a range of craft disciplines, located in villages, towns and cities across the UK, full-time makers, part-time makers and those who make without intention to profit.
The survey reveals a vibrant craft sector. It illustrates a community of makers across the UK working in a wide range of craft disciplines, with high levels of education, as well as significant representation of female, disabled and neurodivergent makers. However, the sector faces ongoing economic and market-related challenges that impact its growth and sustainability. Rising operational costs, saturation of low-cost, mass produced items and limited funding opportunities threaten the sectorʼs financial resilience. Furthermore, Brexit and global economic instability have increased barriers to international trade and visibility, particularly within the EU market