The Heritage Craft Association’s COVID-19 Fund has been set up to safeguard heritage crafts skills by making heritage crafts businesses more sustainable during the COVID-19 pandemic (and in the months that follow) or to ‘bridge the gap’ until future income can be secured (applications are currently closed until more funds become available).
Based on the result of our recent sector survey, crafts businesses are being particularly hard hit by the economic implications of the crisis, so contributions are being sought to help small crafts businesses keep their skills alive, by accessing new markets, trialling new ways of operating, or keeping them afloat until they can be more sustainable.
In the first round of this fund, applications were received for funds to keep crafts skills alive by:*
- doing market research and development of products suited to the emerging economy;
- purchasing tools and equipment to make new products;
- engaging in targeted advertising to reach out to new markets;
- improving their online presence to develop the mail order side of their businesses;
- training and skills development;
- developing online teaching/workshops as an income stream; and
- paying the bills until a time when applicants have reason to believe that business will improve.
We believe that the craft skills kept alive through these businesses are cultural assets are as important as heritage buildings, museum collections or ancient monuments, and can provide future generations with fantastic opportunities to enrich their lives and the lives of others. Your donation could make a real difference, with both smaller and larger amounts ensuring that craft skills are supported for the future.
Donate today via our secure button below. Alternatively, you can send a cheque made payable to ‘Heritage Crafts Association’ with an accompanying note specifying ‘COVID-19 Fund’ to:
Heritage Crafts Association, 27 South Road, Oundle, Peterborough PE8 4BU.
We also have a general donations scheme, an Endangered Crafts Fund, and a Benefactor Scheme for those wishing to offer additional support, as well as a Corporate Sponsorship Scheme for businesses who wish to support us.
*Please note that these are examples only and the Heritage Craft Association will allocate the fund according to need and established criteria to the safeguarding of heritage craft skills.
