Disrupting the Craft Canon

Overview

Craft can boost wellbeing, celebrate culture, and help build communities. However, more needs to be done to ensure racially minoritised and excluded communities have access to creative resources and careers. Dr Natascha Radclyffe-Thomas was principal investigator and led a collaboration with the Crafts Council, the UK’s national craft charity, to measure the value and wellbeing attached to craft. The project focused on community-based research with the local British Bangladeshi community in Tower Hamlets.

Project details

Workshops with makers from a diverse range of ethnic backgrounds

Inspired by objects from the Crafts Council’s own collection, researchers held focus groups and Living Lab craft-making workshops at:

  • OITIJ-JO Collective, a local social enterprise in East London
  • Legacy West Midlands, Birmingham

These sessions explored the value that craft brings to individuals and communities, especially for makers from all other ethnic groups combined.

The project revealed strong links between identity, cultural heritage, and craft practices. However, it also highlighted several barriers to participation -particularly a lack of access to networks and creative opportunities.

The personal stories and lived experiences shared by makers of colour can play a key role in eliminating barriers to craft participation. There is an urgent need to listen and learn from these voices to shape a more inclusive craft future.

This project was recognised as a finalist in the London Higher Awards 2024 for Outstanding Contribution to the Local London

Further information

Funding

  • Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) funded via the Centre for Cultural Value Collaborate Fund.

Delivery team

  • M. Anjum
  • J. Bennett
  • C. Currie
  • A. Roncha
  • R. Sinclair

Delivery team members