Opportunities
Craft Rally is an inclusive, dynamic and inspirational event for makers to
exchange information. It is designed by makers, for makers and with
makers.
Join us for a programme of talks, seminars, screenings, discussions,
performances, networking and socialising.
Participate, investigate and celebrate the breadth of approaches within
contemporary craft at this inaugural Craft Rally!
Where are we? ...
Where are we going from here?
How has the meaning of craft changed and developed through time?
How can our current landscape offer new and exciting ways of thinking
and making today?
Do you want to …
... exchange ideas and experiences with craft makers from around the
country?
… explore and articulate ways of thinking and working that are
inspirational and engaging, challenging and involving, participatory and
revelatory, unexpected and surprising?
... be challenged and inspired to develop your own thinking and
practice?
… reflect, assess or embrace your future practice?
… create your space for collaborative thinking, making and action?
If so, come and bring your voice to the Craft Rally.
The Programme
Part 1: London
Thursday 25 March 2010
Chelsea College of Art & Design, 45 Millbank
10am – 5pm, evening event 5 – 7pm
Contemporary craft practice is an exciting and vibrant field. Its
methodologies generate modern and timely responses to current social
debates and it offers new and exciting ways to consider life and global
issues that we face. Craft and making has an impact on society today,
but can our voice and practice be at the very heart of current debate?
Through exchange of knowledge and approaches to making, can we
develop a meaningful place for craft as part of our shared future?
This is a day to take up materials, tools, thoughts, words and action!
Move between rooms and spaces throughout the historic Chelsea
campus to explore an interactive programme of workshops, happenings,
discussions and networking, promoted by groups of makers, curators,
speakers and protagonists. What does craft’s relationship to
sustainability, resourcefulness, activism or community mean to your
practice? How could collaboration with other craft-makers and
disciplines generate new and exciting ways of looking at your own
approach? Out of these sessions will emerge manifestos, presentations,
ideas or objects to fuel further action. And of course it’s a chance to
share the experience and sheer unadulterated joy of making things!
We invite you to bring and share your own crafted edible contributions
with a prize for the best cake! Over tea, commit your thoughts to the
tablecloths for ‘Cloth Non-Confidential’ – a space for your customisation,
comments and ideas to feed into Craft Rally Online and future Craft Rally
events.
Finally, end the day feeling energised with music from David Littler and
the ‘Sampler - Culture Clash’ project which brings together the seemingly
disparate worlds of DJ sampling and embroidery.
So come and share ideas on ‘Where do we go from here?’ in a day of
workshops and discussions.
Ticket Prices:
£40 per place
(This price reflects the financial support for the event by the Crafts Council and
Artquest. Real value: £160)
Part 2: Sheffield
Friday 23 April 2010
Museums Sheffield: Millennium Galleries, Learning Centre
1.30pm - 5.00 pm
In April the Craft Rally debate moves to the Millennium Galleries,
Sheffield.
Recent years have seen the diminishing of many traditional craft skills
from contemporary society. Yet, current debates centring around climate
change and sustainability are forcing us to think again about the
usefulness of a skilled local workforce, using the resources and materials
available close by to produce goods for our communities.
This day offers the opportunity to network whilst exploring current
issues around sustainability in crafts practice with Adam Sutherland,
Director of Grizedale Arts; Rebecca Earley, textile designer and Senior
Research Fellow at Chelsea College of Art and Design, University of the
Arts London and Neil Brownsword, ceramicist and winner of the ‘One-
Off’ prize at the British Ceramic Biennial 2009.
Ticket Prices
£20 per place
(This price reflects the financial support for the event by the Crafts Council and
Yorkshire Artspace. Real value: £46)
Attend both events in London and Sheffield for £50!
So come to the Craft Rally and be part of the future!
Book your place now
Download a booking form at www.craftscouncil.org.uk/rally and return
this by email to makerdev@craftscouncil.org.uk as soon as possible
indicating how you plan to pay.
You can secure your place immediately by contacting Rally HQ on 020
806 2589/2504 during office hours with your credit/debit card details.
Alternatively, If you would like to pay by cheque please make it payable
to the Crafts Council and send it with your completed booking form to
Craft Rally HQ, Crafts Council, 44a Pentonville Road, Islington, London,
N1 9BY.
Please note that the closing date for booking is Friday 12th March 2010
for the London event and Friday 9th April for the Sheffield event.
Craft Rally 1 is presented by the Crafts Council in partnership with
Artquest and Yorkshire Artspace.
Maker, Helen Carnac has worked with Artquest to provide advice to
develop the content and structure of Craft Rally 1.
Craft Rally is part of Crafts Council Collective, a new programme of CPD
provision for makers enabling them to take control of their own
professional development throughout their careers. For more information
visit www.craftscouncil.org.uk/professional-development .
Crafts Council Registered Charity Number 280956
