Along with at least 3 other committee members, I have been involved with Cork Art and Design (previously known as Cork Craft Producers Forum) since 2002. I am delighted to report that after hundreds of meetings, 2 Feasibility Studies, 3 AGMs, countless emails, creation of a web site and printing of a brochure we now have the attention of all the agencies. In fairness we have had support from Cork County Arts Office and the Office of Community and Enterprise all along and financial support from all county and city enterprise boards for financing the feasibility study but we are now looking at the possibility of these agencies working together to help fund and support crafts activities all over the County and City, now that IS new.
The study concluded that Cork should have its own Crafts Officer. However given the difficult economic climate and moratorium on creating new posts, it does not look like we will be handed the funds for a crafts officer at this stage.
The CAD committee recently had a meeting with all the Ent Boards, City Arts Officer, County Arts Officer and Una Parsons of Crafts Council of Ireland. We put forward suggestions for county wide projects and received a favourable response. The agencies have agreed in principle to work together to jointly fund county - wide initiatives through CAD. We intend to include a Project Manager role in all projects in order to avoid the voluntary committee having to shoulder an enormous workload in order to pull this off.
We are proposing a craft month in August next year. CAD would take on the coordination, PR and marketing of all craft related activity in the County and City during the month of August 2010. We forsee printing a fold- out map with all events, exhibitions, open studios, galleries to visit, workshops, demonstrations, craft markets etc. as well as press advertising and web site development.
We would like to invite members of groups and networks as well as individual craftspeople to discuss ways in which they would like to get involved. we need to know if there is genuine interest in this project. By starting to plan now, we can ensure that the craft Month is a big success next summer and hopefully will become an annual fixture.
In order to make a big impresssion, we need to have a series of events across the County and in the City. Maybe a travelling exhibition, or a film screening or a craft trail around various workshops and studios...the possibilities are endless but we want your ideas... Individual groups can develop their own projects, apply for funding from Crafts Council, West Cork Development partnership, any of the Enterprise Boards in your area, the usual places but the difference will be that your event will be part of the Craft Month and will be promoted and marketed effectively.
CAD will be putting in a proposal to the agencies for funding for this project once we have had a positive response from Craftspeople, Guilds, networks, group and societies soplease get back to us with your plans for next summer as soon as possible!
The study concluded that Cork should have its own Crafts Officer. However given the difficult economic climate and moratorium on creating new posts, it does not look like we will be handed the funds for a crafts officer at this stage.
The CAD committee recently had a meeting with all the Ent Boards, City Arts Officer, County Arts Officer and Una Parsons of Crafts Council of Ireland. We put forward suggestions for county wide projects and received a favourable response. The agencies have agreed in principle to work together to jointly fund county - wide initiatives through CAD. We intend to include a Project Manager role in all projects in order to avoid the voluntary committee having to shoulder an enormous workload in order to pull this off.
We are proposing a craft month in August next year. CAD would take on the coordination, PR and marketing of all craft related activity in the County and City during the month of August 2010. We forsee printing a fold- out map with all events, exhibitions, open studios, galleries to visit, workshops, demonstrations, craft markets etc. as well as press advertising and web site development.
We would like to invite members of groups and networks as well as individual craftspeople to discuss ways in which they would like to get involved. we need to know if there is genuine interest in this project. By starting to plan now, we can ensure that the craft Month is a big success next summer and hopefully will become an annual fixture.
In order to make a big impresssion, we need to have a series of events across the County and in the City. Maybe a travelling exhibition, or a film screening or a craft trail around various workshops and studios...the possibilities are endless but we want your ideas... Individual groups can develop their own projects, apply for funding from Crafts Council, West Cork Development partnership, any of the Enterprise Boards in your area, the usual places but the difference will be that your event will be part of the Craft Month and will be promoted and marketed effectively.
CAD will be putting in a proposal to the agencies for funding for this project once we have had a positive response from Craftspeople, Guilds, networks, group and societies soplease get back to us with your plans for next summer as soon as possible!
Hi Ali,
ReplyDeleteThis is a great step. Much nicer than the old newsletters, and much easier to keep in touch with. I like it a lot! I will aim to co-ordinate a craft fair during that month, provided this year's KAW fair isn't a disaster.... I'm also happy to be considered for the co-ordinator role for this month as discussed before