Year of Craft 2011 Announcement
For immediate release: Wednesday December 15th 2010:
Exciting programme of events unveiled for Year of Craft 2011
· Major initiative to support craft on the island of Ireland announced
THE vibrant crafts industry on the island of Ireland is to be celebrated and promoted next year through a wide-ranging calendar of events marking Year of Craft 2011.
Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation, Batt O'Keeffe and Craft Ambassador's Bernie McCoy, Helen Conneely, Anne Marie O'Rourke
announcing Year of Craft 2011
The Crafts Council of Ireland (CCoI) and Craft Northern Ireland (Craft NI) have designated 2011 as Year of Craft. The year marks the 40th anniversary of the Crafts Council of Ireland and will be celebrated through a diverse range of dynamic events and programmes at home and abroad to showcase the very best of craft made on the island of Ireland.
The Year of Craft 2011 programme – which reflects the diversity of the craft sector with hundreds of events and exhibitions both around the island of Ireland and abroad – was announced in Dublin today (Dec 15) by the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation, Batt O’Keeffe, T.D. It was also announced that President Mary McAleese will be Patron of Year of Craft 2011.
As well as presenting events and exhibitions, Year of Craft 2011 will raise awareness of the important contribution that the craft sector makes to the economy and promote working in craft as an exciting and viable profession. The Year of Craft initiative will be promoted through a dedicated website www.craftinireland.com
Highlights of Year of Craft 2011 include:
The hosting of the Annual General Assembly of the World Crafts Council - Europe, in June, giving the industry an opportunity to promote itself both at home and internationally.
A public event with the acclaimed British ceramicist Edmund De Waal whose family memoir The Hare with Amber Eyes has received widespread acclaim
· An An Post issue of special stamp series celebrating Contemporary Craft in Ireland
· Crafted Creatures A major exhibition and workshop programme at The Ark, A Cultural Centre for Children in Temple Bar, from February to April
Inspiring events will be held all over the country to engage children, families, and craft enthusiasts of all ages. These events will be promoted by Craft NI and by CCoI and its network of partners. The programme will also reflect a strong international dimension with high profile shows in New York, Edinburgh, London, and Paris.
Ireland’s top cultural organisations, including Galway Arts Festival, Kilkenny Arts Festival, The Ark, National Museum of Ireland, Temple Bar Cultural Trust, Baboró International Arts Festival for Children, and Bealtaine Festival will feature craft events in 2011.
In addition, there will be enhanced craft dimensions to high profile consumer events such as Bloom in the Park (June) and the Tall Ships Race in Waterford (June/July).
It is also planned to have craft initiatives in many counties around Ireland modeled on the highly successful Cork Craft Month which was held for the first time in August 2010 and Craft NI’s annual August Craft Month initiative which has been continually developed and expanded since it was first introduced in 2007. These will be partnership initiatives with County & City Enterprises Boards, LEADER, tourism agencies and local authorities working together with local craftspeople in promoting craft.
Crafts Council of Ireland Chairman, Laura Magahy, said today that Year of Craft 2011 will allow everyone to join in the celebrations of our proud heritage. It will also give the island of Ireland an opportunity to reflect on and pay tribute to our great craftspeople past and present.
“We look forward to working with the Crafts Council of Ireland’s 63 member organisations and over 2,200 registered craft enterprises throughout the island of Ireland to make this a very special year. We are privileged to have President McAleese as Patron of Year of Craft 2011 and we are delighted to be working in partnership with Craft Northern Ireland in promoting both at home and around the world the very best of craft this island has to offer.”
“Our craft tradition goes back centuries and is something special and unique. We would encourage consumers and visitors alike to continue to support Irish makers in order to help craft enterprises sustain and grow their businesses during these tough economic times.”
The Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation, Batt O'Keeffe, said his Department was pleased to support Year of Craft 2011.
'This initiative offers a strong platform for the crafts industry which has an important role to play in our economic recovery. Our craft sector is innovative and creative and its contribution to jobs, tourism and "brand Ireland" cannot be overstated.
'The craft sector is a vital component of the culture of entrepreneurship the Government wants to foster as our economy recovers,' said Minister O'Keeffe.
He noted that recent Crafts Council of Ireland research shows that employment in the crafts sector is estimated at 5,771, with potential to increase to 7,589.* 'Over half of all craft businesses are based in rural communities where they are providing local jobs for local people and the Government will continue to support them in whatever way we can,' said Minister O'Keeffe.
The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Innovation. Enterprise Ireland, Fáilte Ireland and the Office of Public Works are all partners in promoting the Year of Craft initiative. The Irish Times is a media partner with CCoI for Year of Craft 2011 and CCoI has secured support from RTÉ under the RTÉ Supporting the Arts scheme.
Further information on Year of Craft 2011 can be found at www.craftinireland.com
-end-
For further information contact:
Miriam Donohoe, MD Media, on 087–2393914/056–7783517
or email: miriam@mdmedia.com or
Susan Brindley, Crafts Council of Ireland on 087–8595013
or email: susan@ccoi.ie
Source: Research conducted by Indecon International Economic Consultants on behalf of the Crafts Council of Ireland 2010.
About the Crafts Council of Ireland
The Crafts Council of Ireland (CCoI), which is headquartered in Kilkenny, is the main champion of the craft industry in Ireland, fostering its growth and commercial strength, communicating its unique identity and stimulating quality design, innovation and competitiveness. CCoI's activities are funded by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Innovation via Enterprise Ireland. CCoI currently has 63 member organisations and over 2,200 registered clients. For further information, visit www.ccoi.ie
About Craft Northern Ireland
Craft NI is the sector-lead body for the promotion and development of the design-led contemporary craft industry in Northern Ireland. Craft NI supports and promotes the craft industry as an integral, entrepreneurial and vibrant part of the region's economic and cultural infrastructure. Its key partners include regional government and agencies, local government, cultural organisations, universities and colleges of further and higher education, private business and industry. For further information, visit www.craftni.org
Miriam Donohoe,
MD Media,
11 Patrick Street,
Kilkenny
and
28 Aranleigh Court,
Rathfarnham,
Dublin 14
Tel: 056 7783517/01 4932696
Mob: 087 2393914
miriam@mdmedia.ie
Download the full Year of Craft Announcement Press Release.
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