Deadline: 24 May 2023, 5pm
Heritage Crafts and the Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust (QEST) are again running an Environmental Sustainability Award in 2024, this year with two £1,000 prizes, open to any craftsperson or micro-business, working with traditional craft skills or materials, who has improved their environmental sustainability within the last 12 months.
This prestigious award is divided into two prizes, each honouring a distinct aspect of environmental stewardship. One of the prizes will be given to a craftsperson or microbusiness demonstrating an innovative approach to environmental sustainability, rarely before seen, that can act as inspiration for others to explore new ways of thinking and working. The recipient of this prize will have pioneered a truly innovative solution, technique, or process that challenges conventional wisdom and inspires others to explore new horizons in sustainable craftsmanship.
The other prize recognises the achievements of a craftsperson or microbusiness that has made substantial and measurable progress in transforming the environmental impact of their craft business through a series of incremental changes and improvements. The recipient of this prize will have demonstrated a steadfast commitment to sustainability by implementing practical initiatives that reduce waste, conserve resources, and mitigate environmental harm over time.
QEST and Heritage Crafts believe we can (and must) all play a role in building a sustainable future – big ideas can have wide reach, and small changes by many can amount to big changes for all. Both prizes aim to celebrate and reward excellence in environmental sustainability within the crafts sector, acknowledging the diverse approaches and contributions of craftspersons and microbusinesses towards a more sustainable future. The winners of this award serve as role models and catalysts for positive change, inspiring others in the crafts community to embrace sustainability as a core value and guiding principle in their practice.
Judges will include renowned environmental craft advocate Katie Treggiden, author of Wasted: When Trash Becomes Treasure (Ludion, 2020) and podcast Circular with Katie Treggiden, as well as Kerryn Harper-Cuss, independent editor, brand consultant and QEST ambassador, with extensive experience in the interior design sector.
Anyone (including the craftsperson or business themselves), can nominate a craftsperson or microbusiness working with traditional craft skills or materials, for the Heritage Crafts/QEST Environmental Sustainability Award. The winners will be invited to attend a high-profile Winners’ Reception in November 2024, where the results will be announced and the two £1,000 prizes awarded.
Deborah Pocock LVO, CEO of QEST said:
“QEST believes in the potential of craft to contribute to a better, more sustainable environmental future, and we know that there are many talented and pioneering makers leading the way. Through this new award, we are looking forward to seeing how their ideas and approaches might impact their craft sector, and inspire others to make a change.”
Daniel Carpenter, Executive Director of Heritage Crafts said:
“In the 259 crafts (and counting) that Heritage Crafts represents, we know that there is a huge body of knowledge that will be vital in helping both current and future generations tackle the environmental challenges ahead. We are delighted to be partnering with QEST to celebrate our shared sustainability pioneers and role models.”
Nominations are now open and close on Friday 24 May 2024 at 5pm. To apply, visit awards.heritagecrafts.org.uk.
Recorded: 27 February 2024
Topic: Multi-layer insulation making
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Heritage Crafts has received a National Lottery Heritage Fund grant of £158k to capitalise on the heightened interest in traditional craftsmanship in the UK. Made possible by money raised by National Lottery players, the two-year project will increase the charity’s capacity to support craft skills as a vital part of the UK’s heritage.
With the support of the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Heritage Crafts will invest in additional staff and freelance consultants to help it achieve long-term sustainability. This will include broadening and diversifying its funding and supporter base, mobilising a network of volunteers all around the country, and ensuring that equity and diversity remain at its core.
Heritage Crafts is the national charity for traditional heritage crafts in the UK. Working in partnership with government and key agencies, it provides a focus for craftspeople, groups, societies and guilds, as well as individuals who care about the loss of traditional crafts skills, and works towards a healthy and sustainable framework for the future.
This news comes on the back of the announcement from the Department of Culture, Media and Sport that the UK is to ratify the 2003 UNESCO Convention on the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH), something that – as a UNESCO-accredited NGO for ICH – Heritage Crafts has long advocated for.
The charity has also increased its direct support to practicing and aspiring heritage craftspeople in recent years, with 66 small grants awarded since 2019 through its Endangered Crafts Fund, and 22 training bursaries for new entrants and early-career practitioners distributed since 2021, with a further 24 on offer in 2024.
This project will help ensure that the organisation builds on these successes.
Daniel Carpenter, Executive Director of Heritage Crafts, said:
“We are thrilled to have received this support thanks to National Lottery players, which will allow us to make the most of the opportunities afforded by the UK’s growing appreciation for craft skills, and increase our support for under-represented and marginalised communities in the sector. With UK ratification of the UNESCO Convention, this is a key moment for the promotion of heritage crafts, and we are keen to make the most of it… for everyone.”
When: Saturday 16 March 2024, 10am to 4pm
Where: Museum of Making, Silk Mill Lane, Derby DE1 3AF
As the UK prepares to join the 2003 UNESCO Convention on Intangible Cultural Heritage, join Heritage Crafts and Derby Museums to celebrate!
In December the UK Government announced the historic decision that the UK would be joining 182 other countries around the world in ratifying the UNESCO Convention on the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage. But what is Intangible Cultural Heritage? Quite simply it means the knowledge, skills and practices that make up our cultural heritage… traditions that exist within humans and that come to life through performances… whether that be music, dance, festivities or MAKING!
Join Heritage Crafts Co-Chair Jay Blades MBE and others for a celebration of craftsmanship and how it crosses over with other domains of living heritage, such as folk music and puppetry performances, and meet craft demonstrators and performers from across the UK talking about the skills they have inherited and hope to pass on to the future.
Learn how the decision to ratify the Convention might reinvigorate the way in which the UK thinks about itself and its heritage in its broadest sense, and how diverse communities from all across the country will be empowered to celebrate their distinctive making traditions.
This event is part of an ongoing partnership between Derby Museums and Heritage Crafts. Tickets range from £20 for members to £30 for non-members.
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Programme
Speakers include:
- Jay Blades MBE, Heritage Crafts Co-Chair and BBC Repair Shop
- Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay, Minister for Arts and Heritage
- Daniel Carpenter, Heritage Crafts Executive Director
- Oliver Hymans, marionette maker and performer
- Andrea Chappell, kilt maker
- Imogen Bright Moon, weaver and Heritage Crafts Trustee
- Daahir Mohammed, lime plasterer
Demonstrators and performers include:
- Andrew Grundon, sign writer
- Chris Tummings, bamboo sax maker
- Nicholas Konradsen, Lincolnshire smallpipes maker
- Lawrence Dodd, lute maker
- Katie Sims, weaver and textile designer
- Sane Mafa, furniture designer / material developer
- Joel Aspinall, digital maker / product designer
- The Smallprint Company, letterpress printing
Other speakers, demonstrators and performers to be confirmed.
Pop-up members’ gallery
Members are invited to bring an object they have made, to showcase at our pop-up gallery.
If you would like to participate, please email info@heritagecrafts.org.uk with details of the object you wish to exhibit, before Friday 8 March to allow enough time for us to print attributions/descriptions.
Objects need to be able to be displayed on a flat surface, so please ensure to bring a table stand if you want your object to be displayed in that way.
Hosted by Heritage Crafts and the Museum of Timekeeping
When: Friday 26 April 2024, 10am to 4pm
Where: Museum of Timekeeping, Upton Hall, Newark-on-Trent, NG23 5TE
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How do we ensure a resilient future for watch and clock makers, and related horological crafts? Both watch and clock making are listed as endangered on the Red List of Endangered Crafts but we are also aware that there is need for additional research and data on this complex and diverse sector.
Hosted by Heritage Crafts, this symposium serves as a platform for traditional makers, restorers, conservators and sector organisations to discuss how we can improve and promote opportunities for upcoming watch and clock makers, and ensure that skills and knowledge are passed on to the next generation.
- Expert presentations: Learn from leading experts in the field of horology as they share insights into the craftsmanship, the cultural importance of traditional timekeeping and the future of the sector.
- Panel discussions: Engage in a panel discussion featuring industry experts and makers, as they examine the threats facing endangered horology and discuss strategies for its conservation and revitalisation.
- Tour of the collection: Join Dr. Robert Finnigan and Justin Koullapis FBHI for a curated tour of museum and items in the collection.
- Networking opportunities: Connect with fellow enthusiasts, makers, professionals, and advocates passionate about preserving traditional horological skills. Share experiences, exchange ideas, and forge new collaborations to support the conservation and promotion of endangered horological heritage.
Speakers and panellists:
Andrew Canter MBHI, Outreach & Learning Coordinator, Worshipful Company of Clockmakers
Co-Founder and Editor-In-Chief of MrWatchMaster and a hugely passionate horologist and collector of watches and clocks. Andrew is the Outreach & Learning Coordinator for the Worshipful Company of Clockmakers and a member of the British Horological Institute (BHI), Alliance of British Watch & Clock Makers, The British Watch & Clock Makers Guild, Antiquarian Horological Society (AHS), National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors (NAWCC), Horological Society of New York and RedBar Group. Through his connections in the watch industry, he has had the privilege of meeting world renowned watchmakers, passionate collectors and horologists with fascinating stories to tell.
Justin Koullapis FBHI, Musuem of Timekeeping Chairman
Justin is an accredited clock and watch restorer with a strong background in vintage and antique watches. He is a partner in a London specialist wristwatch business and has spent over 15 years doing voluntary conservation work for the Museum of Timekeeping. He is technical editor of The Horological Journal, published by the British Horological Institute (BHI).
Dr. Robert Finnigan, Museum of Timekeeping Manager
Rob is the Museum Manger and looks after the day to day running of the Museum, as well as the Museum’s archives and library with its unique collection of approximately 10,000 archive materials and books. He is also the Museum’s EDI officer, is responsible for the social media of the Museum and is working on creating digital content and a new website for the Museum.
Lewis Heath, Founder and Managing Director of anOrdain
Glasgow based company anOrdain was founded in 2015 and has become known for making mechanical watches with beautiful and innovative enamel work. The brand is now established in the world of watches with a reputation for interesting timepieces with decorative dials. The company now employs 18 skilled staff including designers, enamellers, watchmakers and jewellers.
Daniel Carpenter, Executive Director, Heritage Crafts
Daniel is Executive Director of Heritage Crafts, the national charity for traditional heritage crafts. Working in partnership with Government and key agencies, Heritage Crafts provide a focus for craftspeople, groups, societies and guilds, as well as individuals who care about the loss of traditional crafts skills, and works towards a healthy and sustainable framework for the future.
Mary Lewis, Head of Craft Sustainability, Heritage Crafts
Mary leads the research for the Red List of Endangered Crafts and manages a range of initiatives to ensure the long term sustainability of heritage crafts.
This event is free to attend and will include a light lunch and refreshments. Please let us know if you have any dietary or access requirements.
Please see the Museum of Timekeeping’s website for directions and details: www.museumoftimekeeping.org.uk/visit-us
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