In 2003, Scottish Arts Council decided to create an online showcase for Scottish contemporary craft.
The project initially comprised a pilot phase, covering the Highlands & Islands, and in June 2004 the full craftscotland website was extended to cover Scotland as a whole.
Since then, the website has continued to develop to be the site you see today. As a project there were many achievements including the creation of craftfocus, an online exhibition space showcasing high-quality, innovative work by Scottish makers.
Our extensive online maker and venue directories now have almost 1,500 members showcasing a wide variety of makers from all disciplines alongside the galleries and shops that sell and exhibit their work. Scottish craft businesses can register their business for free and become part of this searchable directory.
In September 2008 we became an independent organisation. With a team of permanent staff and an office in the heart of Edinburgh city centre, we can now plan for the future and look to develop Scottish contemporary craft for the long - term. As an audience development agency we have two primary functions:
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We work with craft-related businesses from across all areas of Scotland to support them in developing their business practice. This includes support to develop their online presence, training in marketing and pricing work, awareness coaching in Intellectual Property and working with them to engage with local and national journalists. We also source and create new opportunities for selling and exhibiting work
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In September 2009 we are launching our public face through the creation of innovative, high-profile audience development campaigns. We work with partners from across the UK and the rest of the world to engage with new audiences and to ensure that every person no matter what their background, status or disposable income can engage with Scottish contemporary craft
‘craftscotland is perhaps the perfect exemplar of the economy and information pulses behind Scottish craft policy and activity....In its first breathless year, craftscotland has become a truly dynamic portal...craftscotland aims to become an audience development agency for the crafts in Scotland, acting with technical sophistication and worldwide reach. It has the verve of the Australian website craft culture produced by Craft Victoria, with the authority that derives from consensus, independence, and a shared vision. It has no parallel in England.'
The Cutting Edge exhibition catalogue
A Rightful Place in the Scheme of Things: A History of Craft Resources in Scotland by Simon Olding.
