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Yes we can! 2008 in review
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.
Catrina Vignando
This year has been an important year of consolidation for Craft Australia. 2008 marks the fourth full year of the organisation's operation since relocating to Canberra. We have established solid foundations with new modes of program delivery and we have embraced the changes that have marked the growth of the Australian craft and design industry. With support from national stakeholders, Craft Australia has actively advocated on issues of relevance. This is an overview of the advocacy undertaken by Craft Australia for the growth and sustainability of the sector.
New government
With the Labor Government elected in late 2007, this year has been one of much political change and realignment. To this end Craft Australia has focused on ensuring the issues of the craft and design sector are understood and supported by government. We continue to be active in the following areas.
2020 Summit
- A visions paper presenting sector interests was developed and submitted for discussion at the 2020 Summit.
- Submission for delegates from the craft and design field were put forward for participation in the Creative Australia area.
- Dr Astrid Wootton, the Executive Director from the Design Centre in Tasmania was the sector representative at this event.
- The Craft Australia General Manager participated in the Canberra 2020 Summit as a delegate for art and culture.
Innovation Review
Craft Australia worked closely with the network of Australian Craft and Design Centres (ACDC) the board of Directors and key stakeholders to develop a submission in response to the Review of the National Innovation System chaired by Dr Terry Cutler.
What will all this mean for artists? Well early days to be sure, however, the potential to facilitate the engagement of craft designers within industry and to increase the financial support to makers who are working in this field are key goals.
- More information about the arts and innovation and the Craft Australia submission to the review are available in the article The arts and innovation.
- The outcome of the review is the green paper Venturous Australia, which is currently under consideration by the government. Venturous Australia
Innovation and the Arts Agenda
- Craft Australia, in collaboration with the Council for the Humanities Arts and Social Sciences (CHASS), was involved in developing the seminar on the Arts and the Innovation Agenda held in Sydney at the Wharf Street Theatre in March this year.
- The General Manager gave a key paper at the seminar about where craft and design is placed in the innovation agenda. The paper is published on the Craft Australia website Shaping new attitudes
Design Roundtable
Craft Australia has been working closely with the Australia Council for the Arts in the area of innovation and design. The conversations have predominantly been to increase support for the hybrid nature of craft practice. Increasingly we see the influence of design and new technologies resulting in new modes of conception, manufacture and distribution of craft production. The outcome of this change has an impact on how craft and design is supported. To this end the Visual Arts Board of the Australia Council will hold a sector round table discussion on design. The aim of the roundtable is to identify new trends and provide relevant support for industry.
- Craft Australia will represent the interests of the sector by attending the roundtable event that will be held later this month. A full report will be published in 716 craft·design.
Council of the Humanities Arts and Social Sciences
In 2007 the General Manger was elected to the board of the Council of the Humanities Arts and Social Sciences (CHASS), and held the position of Treasurer. CHASS are a national cross sector lobby group that includes the visual arts. Much of the work is done in response to government inquiries. The involvement with CHASS has been highly beneficial for the sector and has brought the concerns of the industry to the attention of the government.
- At the AGM in Melbourne this year, the General Manager stepped down from the Board. The new design representative is Dr Astrid Wootton, Director of the Design Centre in Tasmania and member of the ACDC network.
- Craft Australia will continue its close connections with CHASS to advocate for and participate in activities and events that are relevant to craft and design.
ACDC sector meetings
Craft Australia is the secretariat for the network of Australian Craft and Design Centres (ACDC). See ACDC network
ACDC meet biannually to discuss strategies that are significant to the promotion and presentation of Australian contemporary craft and design. The most recent meeting was in Canberra to meet with representatives from government departments as well as key sector stakeholders.
- Dr John Howard, Director Innovation and Engagement Canberra University, and author of Between a Hard Rock and Soft Space;
- Christopher Nedin, Assistant Manager, Review and Panel Policy, National Innovation System Review Secretariat; and
- Paul McInnes, Assistant Secretary, Arts Policy and Access, Department of Water Heritage and the Arts.
- Laura McLeod and Tara Kita from the Australia Council for the Arts and
- Tamara Winikoff, Executive Director, NAVA.
Discussion centred around design, innovation and science which are key focus areas for Federal government. In light of this the ACDC group is currently considering a number of national policy goals that align sector activities with government areas of focus.
Artists' rights
Throughout the year Craft Australia has been active in advocating for artists' rights. In collaboration with NAVA and the National Visual Arts Craft Network (NVACN), the following issues have been highlighted for government attention: Establishing a minimum industry artists' fee. This is now under consideration by the Australia Council for the Arts; resale royalty for artists; changing the sedition laws and participating in the national review of visual education.
Emeritus nominations
Craft Australia has been active in nominating artists and key figures in the craft and design field for national awards that recognise the contribution of the sector to the overall social and cultural fabric. Over the past 4 years Craft Australia has established a strong record of successful nominees.
International Craft Strategy
The need to present Australian contemporary craft and design to international markets has been an important strategy to ensure sustainability for the sector. Craft Australia, in conjunction with the ACDC network and key stakeholders, continue to pursue this strategy as an imperative for the livelihood of artists.
Catrina Vignando
General Manager
Craft Australia
October 2008
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