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Winding Up   by Catrina Vignando   13 December 2011
It is an understatement to say that the past couple of months have been frantic. As many of you will now be aware, Craft Australia has been defunded by the Visual Arts Board (VAB) of the Australia Council for the Arts.
Review Committee letter   by Catrina Vignando   8 November 2011
Craft Australia is concerned that the decision by the Visual Arts Board (VAB) was made without proper consultation either with Craft Australia or the craft and design sector. Craft Australia is therefore seeking a formal review of this decision. This letter outlines Craft Australia's grounds for consideration in the review process.
Supporting craft research   by Catrina Vignando   14 September 2011
For 40 years, Craft Australia has promoted the craft and design sector through significant periodicals and publications. The development of the craft + design enquiry journal continues this tradition and draws attention to the increasing academic research undertaken in the field of craft and design. The craft + design enquiry journal is an ERA listed journal. To date Craft Australia has published 3 issues of the craft + design enquiry journal. This month sees the launch of Volume 3, Sustainability in Craft and Design, edited by Kevin Murray.
Sustainability for woodwork and furniture: adjusting and growing   by Catrina Vignando   21 February 2011
February's newsletter looks at timber usage for furniture and object design. The articles and interviews cover issues in adjusting to changes in market demand and growing local markets, core skills in woodwork, benefits from mentoring programs in transforming the creative process as well as key issues for sustainable timber usage.
The chameleon of glass - fragility, strength and sustainability   by Catrina Vignando   21 January 2011
Welcome to 2011, 40 years since Craft Australia's establishment in 1971. Our focus for 2011 will be on sustainability and the future of the craft and design sectors. This edition of ca enews celebrates the international prominance of Australian glass artists and examines some of the issues being considered by them as they explore scale and intimacy, functional, sculptural and installation based works, traditional and innovative techniques, complex copyright, the 'Post Glass' video festival and the potential for glass to bend light, magnify or distort an image.
2010 Looking back and looking forward   by Catrina Vignando   17 December 2010
This year we have celebrated the prominent craftspeople, designers and writers and how they challenged and extended crafts in Australia from the 1970s until today. Next year we look at sustainability in all its incantations and its implications across the fields of practice that make up the Australian craft sector. We look forward to our active engagement with the Australian Design Alliance, launched in the Utzon Room at the Sydney Opera House on 3 September 2010.
Celebrating craft and design landmarks   by Catrina Vignando   24 November 2010
Celebrating leading practice is the theme for this November issue of CA enews. We feature a range of exhibitions from around the country that demonstrate the sophistication Australian craft and design as part of the Craft Australia's continuing focus on the 40 year celebrations of the sector.
The craft and design connection   by Catrina Vignando   21 October 2010
This months' issue of CA enews focuses specifically on design and its application to craft with articles by Professor Tony Fry who looks at how to design the future of craft practice, Rohan Nicols gives a personal account of designing a successful creative business based in regional Australia and delivering to the world, Sarah Evans writes on the marketing of craft and we republish the State of Design opening speech presented by this year's Artistic Director Lou Weis.
Developments in craft and design   by Catrina Vignando   20 September 2010
In this issue we present the fifth, medium based, focus issue for the 40 year celebrations featuring ceramics practice and a breakthough in the craft and design sector with the launch of the Australian design Alliance [AdA]
Budgies and redheads; a (non) political overview   by Catrina Vignando   19 August 2010
We are several days out from the 2010 federal election and Craft Australia is in the final throws of getting the August issue of CA enews launched into the ether. As the last words are being written, the final votes will be cast. To help you make your decisions at the polling booth this weekend Craft Australia includes pre election coverage in this month ´s enews, we also include a press release by ArtsPeak on what the peak arts bodies of this country have recommended as a way forward for the benefit of our cultural good, we celebrate the launch of volume 2 of craft + design enquiry, bring you Professor Ted Snells´ introduction to the recently launched Visual Arts and Craft Evaluation report, and feature two key articles that position the developments and contributions of contemporary Autralian craft and design practice incorporating digital technologies.
Loose threads and woven stories   by Catrina Vignando   13 July 2010
This month we celebrate the 40 year anniversary of the Australian Studio Craft Movement by focusing this issue on textile practice. We platform the contributions of this sector by featuring some very exciting articles that have a national and international focus. At the core of all the articles is the solid position of Australian textile craft and design practice.
Celebrating our Stories   by Catrina Vignando   16 June 2010
In this June issue of CA enews we look specifically at the generosity of spirit and social engagement through philanthropy; focusing on Models of Giving. This patronage has developed collections, encouraged collecting, and promoted collectors. We also look at the way that artists are supporting the philanthropic sector through their personal artistic donations and collaborations.
Picking Gems, editorial   by Catrina Vignando   14 May 2010
In the May issue of ca enews we focus on Australian contemporary jewellery and the recent Jewellers and Metalsmiths Group of Australia, JMGA, conference held in Perth. We headline this issue with the 40 year commissioned article written by renowned artist, writer, teacher and provocateur, Margaret West. We also feature the key note address Good Design: Designing for Tomorrow by Professor Ted Snell presented at the JMGA conference.
Advocating craft and design 40 years   by Catrina Vignando   15 April 2010
This year Craft Australia celebrates 40 years of the Australian studio craft movement and this month we focus on the field of studio glass. With articles about two exciting glass exhibitions Tour de Force, curated by Megan Bottari and Mind and Matter curated by Margot Osborne. In this issue you will also find articles on collecting glass by Andy Plummer, the co-founder of the Ranamok Glass Prize; a look at the Canberra Glassworks celebrating its third birthday and the Australian National University´s glass workshop as a centre for excellence in glass training illustrated by the recent achievements of graduates from the workshop.
Celebrating the future   by Catrina Vignando   16 February 2010
In this February 2010 issue of CA enews we celebrate the start of our 40 year anniversary celebrations with an issue focussing on the past, present and future of Australian studio furniture.
Wrapping up another successful year 2009   by Catrina Vignando   10 December 2009
An overview of Craft Australia's activities in advocacy, promotion and research for the Australian contemporary craft and design sector in 2009.
Craft and Design for the 2020 Cultural Policy   by Catrina Vignando   12 November 2009
In the November 2009 issue of 716 craft design Catrina Vignando looks at the role of contemporary craft and design in the framework of an arts and cultural policy for 2020.
right way update   by Merryn Gates   7 October 2009
One month into the 'right way' forum co-ordinator Merryn Gates reviews the progress and conversations emerging from the online community discussing the future of Indigenous craft and design.
Doing it the right way   by Merryn Gates   7 September 2009
In this September 2009 issue of 716 craft design we focus on Craft Australia's online forum about the future of Indigenous craft and design 'right way'.
Craft and design futures   by Catrina Vignando   4 August 2009
In this month's editorial Catrina Vignando looks at past and future design festivals and the dialogue and directions emerging from these sector events.
State of design   by Catrina Vignando   2 July 2009
In this July 2009 issue of 716 craft design we bring you information about key activities that are addressing the issue of design's role in our current economic and social environment. Leading this conversation is the State of Design festival held in Melbourne from 15 - 25 July.
Designs on new markets   by Catrina Vignando   4 June 2009
In May 2009 Craft Australia's General Manager scoped the most renowned design fair in the world the Milan furniture fair to see how the event may provide new opportunities for Australian object designers. Closer to home Craft ACT opened a new retail outlet and in Western Australia, Form is establishing the Atelier Midlands with studios, gallery and retail facilities.
Craft leading by design   by Catrina Vignando   5 May 2009
Craft Australia and the network of Australian Craft and Design Centres, ACDC, have long been advocating the value of design to achieve increased sustainability in the sector.
New orbit for Craft Australia website   by Catrina Vignando   4 April 2009
In 2008 Craft Australia undertook a major redevelopment of the Craft Australia website. Managed by Avi Amesbury, the Craft Australia Communications Manager, we are proud to begin 2009 with the new site and to launch a new direction for the advocacy and promotion of Australian contemporary craft and design through this development.
Kicking off the year   by Catrina Vignando   3 April 2009
Change is the natural order of things. It is part of the cycle of growth and evolution; so too the changes that have been happening at Craft Australia.
Endings and beginnings   by Catrina Vignando   12 December 2008
As another great year draws to an end we reflect on the tremendous achievements in the field of Australian craft and design. We bring you some highlights to savour and in particular the changes and developments undertaken here at Craft Australia.
Craft Australia history   by Catrina Vignando   25 November 2008
Craft Australia has been championing Australian contemporary craft and design practice since 1971. Over this time Craft Australia has responded to changes in the field and implemented key strategies to advance the sector.
Yes we can! 2008 in review   by Catrina Vignando   28 October 2008
Craft Australia has actively and successfully advocated on issues of relevance. The General Manager gives an overview of the advocacy undertaken in 2008 by Craft Australia for the growth and sustainability of the sector.
The arts and innovation   by Catrina Vignando   24 September 2008
It is the inherent attraction to innovation by creatives in the craft and design area that has seen Craft Australia focus considerable energy in a submission to the Government's review of the national innovation system. The General Manager highlights the months activities.
Where to now?   by Catrina Vignando   26 August 2008
In September Craft Australia highlights the achievements of the International Craft Initiative and the benefits this program has brought to the sector by enhancing international audiences for Australian contemporary craft and design.
Pathways to sustainability   by Catrina Vignando   27 July 2008
This month we focus on the vital contribution mentorships play in exchanging skills, experience and knowledge within the craft and design sector. Mentorships are an established way for makers to gain practical skills to develop their practice and a range of mentorships have been initiated to support professional development within the sector.
Australia by design   by Catrina Vignando   27 June 2008
June has been a busy month with Australian design featuring high on both the national and international arenas. There is much to enjoy about the prospects these developments bring to the Australian craft and design sector.

 
 

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Updated: 19 May 2013