What is Craft Hub ?
Craft Hub is a European project co-funded by the Creative Europe Programme focused on Craft in the context of cultural heritage and its continuing relevance in contemporary practice.
The project activities involve investigating and documenting craft skills and processes; their differing application in creative practice across Europe; and questions of cultural specificity & individual motivations of practitioners. This will be addressed through a comprehensive and exciting program to allow the creation of new craft work/experimental investigations into process and material supported by 42 transnational maker residencies, 305 days of outreach work, 1 festival, 7 exhibitions and 2 conferences.
The aims and objectives of the EU Craft Hub programme are:
- To build capacity for existing and future craft practitioners by creating new professional opportunities, stimulate the creation of new works, increase and interconnect knowledge on craft making skills and thereby pushing the boundaries of Craft making processes through new experimental ways of making,
- To safeguard Craft knowledge, process, skills through training and education materials, and the digital collection of all knowledge,
- To develop audiences for Craft by creating awareness and understanding for Craft practices and the works of Craft practitioners.
What is a Maker Exchange Residency ?
Maker Exchange Residencies are a central part of the newly funded EU Craft Hub project which will showcase the wealth of European Craft practice and address sector challenges through artist residencies, training workshops, exhibitions, conferences, and a European Festival of Craft. As part of the Final Residency Programme a specialized residency for 10 days is being offered as follows:
- Researching Leno Weaving - 16th-27th of January 2023 - Design School Kolding, Denmark
- Surface Pattern – Dye Process - 13th-24th February 2023 - Cardiff , Wales
Who is it for?
Craft Practitioners: In this context Craft Practitioners are professionals with a career in Craft making, that need tools to develop and refresh their Craft making skills to increase self-expression and self-efficacy.
The candidate will be established in the working methods associated with some, or all of the areas listed, with a focus on an application of colour and/or pattern to cloth. It is anticipated that they will have an inherent interest in sustainability, circular textiles, material health and waste impact.
Why should you participate ?
EU funded Creative Europe aims to foster the professional development of creative careers and their work cross borders and to reach new European audiences and develop innovative artistic models designed to help strengthen and sustain the arts and cultural sectors here in Ireland
How will my application be considered ?
Craft Participants who have been selected for the Maker Exchange Residencies will have the opportunity to participate in all the programme activities of the Craft Hub which includes:
- Work created during the residencies added to the Digital Repository which will capture the creation processes, skills and the narrative behind the work
- Work created during the residencies added to the Materials Library which will be a searchable and openly available resource database to foster craft knowledge and the creation of training and education materials for new craft professionals.
- Works created during the residencies will go forward for selection for the EU Craft Hub Exhibitions which will be held in the different partner cities displaying works by Craft practitioners from across Europe to a wide public audience.
- Craft practitioners participating in the residencies will also be invited to attend the closing Conference to foster the development of networks for craft professionals. The closing Conference will coincide with the final exhibition and the Festival of Craft.
Application Process and Key Criteria
EU Craft Hub selectors reserve the right to select participants for one residency or dependant on the standard of applicant’s, selection may be recommended for further longer-term residencies as outlined below: Carlow County Council will assign the successful Craft Practitioners to the residencies in the partner countries.
Financial Package
The participant will be provided with:
(1) Flights Booked to and from Residency
(2) Overnight Accommodation Provided (including the night before the commencement date)
(3) In respect of the residency in Wales an Allowance of Up to £69.86 (GBP) per day based on vouched receipted for Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner / Transport).
In respect of the residency in Denmark , 1,047.75 Krone per day based on vouched receipted for Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner / Transport).
Please note expenses will only be paid with vouched receipts and upon receipt of full paperwork for the residency programme.
Assessment Criteria
The following criteria will be used to evaluate applications:
Craft Professional (25%)
Proven track record of commitment to craft including an up-to-date CV (max 3 pages) and supporting material (4 images)
CPD Opportunity (25%)
Ability to demonstrate how CPD training will contribute to your skills development.
Audience Development (25%)
Personal Statement (25%)
Description on how the residency overall will contribute to your overall development as a Craft Maker