Craft Industrialism seeks to set up a new initiative that bridges the gap between the maker and the public. A carefully curated public space will be created to reveal the process of craftsmanship and showcase the maker’s creative process. Each selected maker’s work will be carefully presented in an informal setting to enable the narrative of the work to be revealed, and to demonstrate the complexity and consideration that goes into every craft product made - from the initial starting point, design development and to the final production method. Low-tech, interactive ‘factories’ will be featured in the space, to enable public participation in the making process. Resulting in social engagement and knowledge transfer between the maker and the public. Through this project we hope to achieve wider understanding and appreciation of craftsmanship and to promote and support our local creative communities.

The Project

Craft Industrialism seeks to set up a new initiative that bridges the gap between the maker and the public.

A carefully curated public space will be created to reveal the process of craftsmanship and showcase the maker’s creative process.

Each selected maker’s work will be carefully presented in an informal setting to enable the narrative of the work to be revealed, and to demonstrate the complexity and consideration that goes into every craft product made - from the initial starting point, design development and to the final production method.

Low-tech, interactive ‘factories’ will be featured in the space, to enable public participation in the making process. Resulting in social engagement and knowledge transfer between the maker and the public.

Through this project we hope to achieve wider understanding and appreciation of craftsmanship and to promote and support our local creative communities.

The event is proposed to take place in March 2015 for a week in the heart of the city of Leeds.

The Opportunity

We are looking for professional, established, practicing makers/designers working in any craft field (ceramics, glass, textiles, metal and woodwork, jewellery)

We are not looking for hobbyists the work has to be of a high standard and produced in a modern context. There will be a strict selection process and the work needs to meet the guidelines set for ‘creative excellence’.

We are looking for modern 21st century makers, who are currently practicing / have their own studio and create work that is aesthetically beautiful or are creating work that is original.

The work can be driven by a strong visual identity focusing on the aesthetics or it can be process driven by a technique or manufacture or driven by a strong concept.

 As the project is about craftsmanship and the making process we are interested to hear also about how you produce your work.

Creative Excellence is defined as:

·       Modern, 21st Century, Contemporary work

• ·       Hand-made/craft
• ·       Strong visual identity and aesthetics
• ·       Strong concept driving the work
• ·       Driven by process, technique or manufacture (this can be traditional with a modern take) 

Submission Criteria:

In order to submit for this project you need to consider if your work meets the following criteria:

• ·       Currently practicing and ideally have your own studio
• ·       Be either based in Yorkshire or have Yorkshire roots
• ·       Work has to be of a high standard and produced in a modern context
• ·       The work should be driven by any of the 3 areas aesthetics, process or concept. If the work is driven by:
• ·       Aesthetics: The aesthetics needs to be contemporary with a strong visual identity
• ·       Process: The work needs to demonstrate a new modern approach to a technique or process of manufacture/production
• ·       Concept: The concept needs to be original and unique

If you are interested in being considered please submit the following:

• ·       Your Name & Website
• ·       2-3 Images of your Work
• ·       200 word maximum statement about your work
• ·       200 word maximum statement about your process of working/making
• ·       Key words that describe your work (maximum of 5).

KEY DATES

• Submission Deadline:              31st December 2014
• Selection Process:                   1st – 31st December 2014
• Notification of your application:          1st November – 31st December 2014
• Next Steps:                              1st January – 31st March 2015