Community Craft

Over the last few weeks I have carried out a lot of research on the importance of craft to people of all age groups and backgrounds.  Especially the importance it has in engaging young people in their education. 

Today I spoke to the Craft Council about community programmes with children and young people.  

They currently have the following:

CAN - Craft Action Network

"CAN aims to tap into the breadth and diversity of the craft, cultural and education sectors and share examples of best practice.  The excellent work that teachers, lecturers and makers are already doing to highlight the personal, educational, and socio-economic value of craft can be used as a blue print for creative education.  

CAN is a vehicle for ongoing professional development and research in craft education, maintaining learning and participation at its heart. 

CAN offers a dedicated networking site for professionals to:

• Network, collaborate, socialise and share resources with other CAN members
• Reflect critically on teaching and learning in contemporary craft practice
• Publish case studies and papers about craft education
• Develop an evidence base to better understand and advocate for all areas of craft"

Firing Up

There has been a decline in interest in ceramics education this program 'refires’ kilns in schools to reinspiryoung people.   

"Firing Up is a new national programme of highlighting clay and ceramics. The initiative has been development by the Crafts Council through a steering committee of representatives from NALN, NSEAD, University of the Arts (London), Clayground Collective and Ofsted. The core elements have been designed to:

1. Raise awareness of the importance of clay in our everyday lives and in world cultures;

2. Support schools in using this medium creatively and confidently, and in optimising its educational value for students and creating sustainable local links;

3. Showcase and exhibit the work of young people; and

4. Demonstrate the links between clay-work and the wider creative industry sector showing that working in ceramics is a viable career choice.

The programme uses a ‘cluster’ format that will be constructed around the ceramics departments within partner Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). Each regional cluster will consist of one HEI who will supply a ceramics ‘ambassador’ (usually the ceramics course leader), a technician and up to ten students, and five secondary schools.

It includes the following core elements:
• ‘Kiln Rehab’ – the rejuvenation of clay facilities in participant schools, supported by the expertise of ceramic –specialist staff from partner HEIs.
• ‘Clay Skills Training’ – twilight CPD for cluster teachers to build confidence and expertise using clay in the classroom.
• ‘Project Clay’ – an innovative creative workshop programme designed by Clayground Collective and delivered by local practitioners to enthuse and inspire the school community through a collaborative project.

Each phase of the programme has been carefully designed to support and inspire schools in using this magical material confidently and creatively with their pupils, in as broad a way as possible. In particular, we hope that through the building of sustainable relationships with HEIs and local schools, as ‘critical friends’, schools will feel inspired to take risks and enlarge upon the scope of the medium in a cross-curricular dimension as part of a creative curriculum."

Craft Club

Craft Club provides schools and community groups with a craft learning resource package to help them engage young people in crafts and start their own creative club. 

 

They have "developed this initiative in response to the amount of interest from teachers who need only minimal support in order to set up clubs in their schools during extended hours, at lunch or after school. However, schools are not the only benefactors of this exciting scheme which has the potential to increase participation in craft learning in a range of other educational and cultural venues (see ‘Who?’ for details).

Knit 1, Pass It On
Craft Club launched its first scheme in 2009, called Knit 1, Pass It On. A simple concept with a magnificent ripple effect: knitters are asked to pass on their yarn skills to at least one other person, who can then do the same. And on it goes…"

Craft Club Partners
The project is in conjunction with:

- UK Handknitting Association (UKHKA) 

- National Federation of Women’s Institutes (NFWI)

• 

DCSF: Extended Services Offer	Craft Club Offer
1. Childcare (in primary and special schools)	A safe, supportive and fun place for young people to go to in their lunch or after school
2. A varied menu of activities including study support, sport and music clubs	A rolling programme of craft forms and creative projects for enrichment, including an interactive web package for children and young people to network with craftspeople, share practical tips and resources, and win prizes.
3. Swift and easy access to targeted and specialist services	A network of specialist makers, craftspeople and skilled volunteers to present a high quality learning experience
4. Parenting support including family learning	‘Cascade’ and intergenerational learning (passing on of skills between groups, e.g. generations of a family)
5. Community access to facilities including adult and family learning, ICT and sports facilities.	An invitation for a wider pool of participants to visit a school or cultural venue to access its facilities and resources and engage in craft learning.

* from Craft Council website

Revival

This programme is a contemporary craft workshop which is delivered by ReachOutRCA (the Royal College of Art’s lively outreach team).  "Revival seems to reveal to the creative educator about approaching teaching the way they approach making: embracing the risks, and sensitive to opportunities offered forth by a particular set of circumstances.  The gap between ‘maker’ and ‘learner’ appears to be occupied by something the Revival artists refer to as “surprising” and “an inspiring privilege” – qualities evocative of the most rewarding creative journey."

Revival aims to raise the aspirations of the pupils involved, developing the making/thinking abilities.  Much like the Creative partnerships programmes it brings contemporary practitioners into the classroom.  

Arts awards Welcome

Finally, this programme supports young people’s development through arts awards opportunities.  Giving young people a certificate at 3 different levels, much lift Duke of Edinburgh schemes or IT training they complete in secondary schools.
 the qualification looks great on their CV but even better by completing and applying for an award they build up their very own portfolio's. 

• Bronze award: take part in a club, and share your skills

• Silver award: take up a new challenge, organise an event or lead a Craft Club session

• Gold Award: run a Craft Club and deliver an event for Arts Leadership challenge like a craft sale or a fashion show