This section includes crafts sector-related business and marketing advice along with details about events for makers to considering exhibiting at. We want this to be as comprehensive as possible, so will provide a mixture of specific advice from within the sector and links to government and other sites where appropriate.

Making Progress : A mentoring programme for mid career makers.

Making Progress is HI-Arts mentoring and business support scheme for mid career and established makers who seek support on how to develop their work, and who will welcome critical and practical advice. You may be planning a major exhibition, want to expand your business, move your creative work in a new direction or feel the need to challenge yourself. You may just need some advice and a critical review of your work or you may need to rethink your whole business.

Working with HI-Arts Craft development and experienced professional makers, we will develop the programme on an individual basis to make the very best use of your talents.

Please note that the most recent deadline for applications for the Making Progress Scheme was on the 30th October 2009. We will be updating the website with details of who is taking part, their progress and regular blogs in the very near future.

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Web Marketing Presentation by Sian Jamieson

Sian Jamieson, Audience Development Coordinator at HI-Arts gives advice about web marketing and e-commerce for makers. See 'Downloads' at the right side of this page.

As part of the Audience Development project, HI-Arts have developed, and continue to develop, a series of tip sheets designed to help you market and promote of your organisation and its events effectively, please click on the follow link to view these tip sheets:  Audience Development Tip Sheets 

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Retail and Trade Fairs
We have compiled a list of some of the retail and trade fair events and organisers throughout the UK. Please see the right hand side of this page for the file to be downloaded.

Website Sales
Following enquiries from makers about how to receive online sales using credit card facilities or create free webpages, we have compiled a short list of web sites that may be of interest, please download the list at the right hand side of this page.

The Cultural Enterprise Office has also recently added very informative factsheets for those thinking of starting or developing their website. Please click on the links below to access these factsheets:

Planning Your Web Presence Factsheet offers different ways to present yourself online.

Web Developer or DIY Factsheet lists the pros and cons for working with developers or building a website yourself.

Website Requirements Workbook is a useful tool to complete, whether building yourself or preparing to talk to a developer.

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Craft links
Please see the right hand side of this page for links to other craft sites and for more download the document entilted 'Craft Links'  at the top of this page.

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Cultural Enterprise Office
The Cultural Enterprise Office offers a free business information, advice, development and support service for individuals and micro businesses operating in Scotland’s creative and cultural industries. Find out more at www.culturalenterpriseoffice.co.uk

Creative Choices - Crafts
Creative Choices offers you the tools you need to make decisions about pursuing a career in crafts. Their website has lots of craft news, blogs and opportunities - to find out more visit their website on http://www.creative-choices.co.uk/craft/ 

Creative Choices have a good selection of tips sheets on their website which advise on a range of topics that are of interest to those in the crafts sector. Please find below links to some of these sheets:

Creative Choices - Craft Quick Guides

Creative Choices - How to get your work exhibited

Creative Choices - How to work with curators

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NESTA - NESTA has created an enterprise resource toolkit which encapsulates tried and tested approaches to teaching enterprise skills for creative individuals thinking about setting up in business.

To download the toolkit, please click on the following link: www.nesta.org.uk/enterprise-toolkit

 

Origins
For tips and advice from Makers who have previously been selected for Origins (was Chelsea Crafts Fair) - Click here

Selling Overseas
Click here for more advice on selling overseas.

Legal Issues
Click here for useful legal information for artists and crafts makers in the UK.

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Crafts Organisations
There are a range of organisations that represent and support Makers.

For a list of Scottish Craft Guilds and other Scottish Arts Council Membership Organisations please click on the following link: Scottish Craft Guilds & Other Organisations

Scottish Arts Council
The Scottish Arts Council is an executive non-departmental public body which is one of the main channels for Government funding for the arts in Scotland. Click here for information on Scottish Arts Council funding.

Craftscotland
Craftscotland is a national initiative set up by the Scottish Arts Council to provide a platform for the promotion and development of the Scottish craft sector. To view their webiste and for more information click here

The Crafts Council (funded by Arts Council England)
The Crafts Council is the UK’s national organisation for the promotion of contemporary crafts. Click here to visit their website.

To download a copy of The Craft Blueprint (a workforce development plan for craft in the UK) which was published in June 2009. Please click on the following link: The Craft Blueprint - June 2009

HI~Arts Directory of Organisations and Events 
You can also search for events, organisations, groups and individuals in our cultural directory, please click on the following link to view these pages: Highland and Islands Guide

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Craft Development Officers

Pamela Conacher, Craft Development Coordinator (Highlands & Islands), HI~Arts, Suites 4 & 5, 84 Academy Street, Inverness, IV1 1LS.
T: 07824 388485
E: pamela@hi-arts.co.uk

Lee Hendrick, Visual Arts and Crafts Officer, An Tobar: The Tobermory Centre
1 Argyll Terrace, Tobermory, Isle of Mull PA75 6PB
T: 01688 302211
E: arts@antobar.co.uk

Hazel Hughson, Arts Development Officer - Craft, Shetland Arts
Shetland Arts, Toll Clock Centre, 26 North Road, Lerwick, Shetland ZE1 0PE
E: hazel.hughson@shetlandarts.org

Helen Voce, Dumfries & Galloway Craft Development Officer
Gracefield Arts Centre, 28 Edinburgh Road, Dumfries DG1 1JQ
T: 01387 262084
E: HelenV@dumgal.gov.uk

Julia Hallewell - Dundee Contemporary Arts
152 Nethergate, Dundee DD1 4DY
T: 01382 909900 (front desk) Shop Manager 01382 909 231(direct line)
E: julia.hallewell@dca.org.uk

Maggie M. Broadley, Craft & Design Development Officer, The Gallery
The Gallery, 75/77 Main Street, West Kilbride, Ayrshire. KA23 9AP
T: 01294 829179
E: info@westkilbride.org.uk