HI~Arts Crafts Development – a scoping study

Background

HI~Arts is the arts development agency for the Highlands and Islands. HI~Arts is contracted by Highlands and Islands Enterprise, and is a Foundation client of the Scottish Arts Council.

A large part of HI~Arts’ remit is to undertake development work in different artform areas—music, the visual arts, theatre, writing. To date, our main involvement in the crafts sector has been:

• To develop crafthighlands as a template for craftscotland, the national web resource for the crafts sector
• To provide small grants for makers based in the Highlands and Islands
• To assist Applied Arts Scotland to hold a number of network events, which were well attended and welcomed by makers.

HI~Arts’ relationship with crafts is rather more complex than with some other artforms, because of the potential of the sector to develop large, international companies (of the Ortak/Highland Stoneware/Anta scale) which clearly lie outside HI~Arts’ remit and should be able to seek support directly from the Highlands and Islands Enterprise Network. That is the reason why we have not, to date, adopted for the crafts some of the more wide-ranging development programmes which we have undertaken in other artforms.

HI~Arts works closely with the Creative Industries team within Highlands and Islands Enterprise. While the definition of ‘Creative Industries’ adopted by this team is sufficiently wide to encompass the work of individual makers, the team does not at present work directly with the crafts sector. In recent months, however, they have undertaken specific development and networking activities in the fashion sector, which has both obvious overlaps with the crafts sector, and offers potential models for work in that sector.

Scope for development

We now believe that the time is ripe for a development programme focused on the crafts, which could have the potential to deliver the following:

• Support to individual makers, whose businesses are unlikely to have the growth potential to attract direct HIE investment, but with the aim of growing the sector as a whole.
• Encouragement and assistance for new graduates with crafts skills to return to, or move to, the HIE area
• Greater visibility for the sector, through revitalising crafthighlands and through other combined marketing initiatives
• Better integration with national initiatives, especially craftscotland, but also Six Cities Design festival, etc.
• Ensuring that the crafts sector is properly represented in discussions with WASPS and other agencies regarding studio spaces

Our experience in other artforms: music, drama and literature, is that a focused programme of development led by a key individual can have a significant impact in developing a sustainable infrastructure and national and international profile.

Remit of Scoping Study

HI~Arts wishes to commission a scoping study into the potential demand for, and role of, a Crafts Development Officer based with HI~Arts.

The study will need to consider the following issues:

• What should be the specific remit of a HI~Arts Crafts Development Officer?
• How will this post complement, and work with, the existing Craft Development Officers in Skye and Shetland?
• How should the post relate to, and extend the work of, craftscotland and crafthighlands?
• What geographical area can realistically served by one officer (assuming that this would be greater than a single LEC area and no larger than the full HIE area (excluding Skye and Shetland)?
• What achievable outcomes and benefits can be defined for an initial appointment of two years?
• What are the skills and experience needed to undertake such a post?

These issues should be considered through:

• Desk research of appropriate documents (eg SAC Crafts Strategy, HIE Creative Industries documents, Dumfries and Galloway reports on crafts development, etc)
• One-to-one interviews with: the Crafts Development Officers in Shetland and Skye; craftscotland; those SAC Foundation clients in the HIE area with a crafts elements to their activities (eg An Tuireann, Taigh Chearsabhagh); Applied Arts Scotland; key staff in SAC and HIE.
• Postal survey of a cross-section of makers in the HIE area and of relevant regional and national makers’ groups and associations.
• Focus group meeting with makers in the greater Inverness area

Outputs of the Study

Three printed copies and one digital copy of a final report, which should include, if appropriate, a job description and person specification for a Crafts Development Officer. NB: it is also an acceptable outcome if the Study concludes that a dedicated post is not appropriate, and therefore advances other potential actions which HI~Arts might take to develop the crafts sector in the area.

Timescale and management

The study should be completed by September 30th 2007. The management of the study will involve:

• An initial briefing meeting with the Director of HI~Arts
• An interim meeting with a study Steering Group, which will include officers of HIE and SAC
• A final presentation to the Steering Group, which will receive the final draft of the study report.

Fees and Expenses

A sum of £8,000 is available for this study, which includes fees and expenses (including the costs of a focus group meeting), and VAT (if applicable).

Those tendering for this study should indicate:

Number of days to be committed to study
Details of other relevant projects undertaken
Proposed methodology and timescale for consultation
Proposed breakdown of budget

Tenders should be e-mailed to robert@hi-arts.co.uk by 5.00 on Monday 28th May 2007.