Craft Scotland announce their partnership with Manchester Craft and Design Centre, and invite Scottish makers to apply to exhibit at the Centre in November 2012. 

Manchester Craft and Design Centre aims to be the place to make, see and buy contemporary craft in the North West of England. It strives to show work from the forefront of contemporary craft practice, including boundary pushing and innovative work from makers at different stages in their careers. 

From November 2012 until March 2013 'Scottish Contemporaries,' an exhibition from Craft Scotland and Manchester Craft and Design Centre, will show contemporary Scottish craft practice. 

Emma Walker, Chief Executive of Craft Scotland, said of the partnership: “We are delighted to be working with a venue that has demonstrated such a commitment to showcasing and supporting contemporary craft. The exhibition opens in Manchester Craft and Design Centre’s 30th Year, a year of celebration for the venue. Craft Scotland are proud to be part of the Centre’s Anniversary programme. It is a wonderful opportunity for Scottish makers to be able to showcase their work to an audience which has an active interest in craft. 

“Manchester Craft and Design Centre’s exhibition programme is innovative and inspirational and I am confident that makers from Scotland will provide an equally inspiring showcase.”

Craft Scotland and Manchester Craft and Design Centre now seek applications from up to five makers to apply for their upcoming exhibition, which will demonstrate contemporary Scottish craft practice. 

In particular, we seek makers who produce contemporary craft that is considered to be innovative and/or at the forefront of craft practice today. Being at the forefront of craft practice may mean that you utilise new technologies, that you push a traditional technique to its limits, or that you explore new areas of your practice. 

Submissions will also be accepted from those who wish to work in collaboration with others from within or outside the Craft sector. 

Craft Scotland and Manchester Craft and Design Centre seek pieces of work that will command attention in this busy venue. This could be achieved by multiples of small objects or large scale pieces. There is extensive ceiling height which can also be utilised within the space, but the exhibition area itself is of moderate size and is not invigilated. 

There may be opportunities for makers to deliver associated masterclasses and for the exhibition to tour back to Scotland in 2013.

The exhibition will open on 24 November 2012, and run until March 2013. There will be support given for shipping work to the venue.

The exhibition will be promoted by both Manchester Craft and Design Centre and Craft Scotland, including listings within the Guardian Weekend Guide.

Makers must be living or working in Scotland to be considered for this opportunity and have a profile page on www.craftscotland.org*. 

This opportunity has now closed. The closing date for applications was 12 noon, 14 May 2012.

About Manchester Craft and Design Centre

‘The place to make, see and buy contemporary craft and design in the North West’. 

Manchester Craft and Design Centre is home to over 30 designers and makers, who create and sell their work from 19 studio-boutiques on site. The Centre’s exhibitions and cafe are also open to the public 6 says a week and a new website, with online sales opportunities for regional makers will launch this year.

Manchester Craft and Design Centre showcases innovative and boundary-pushing craft practice through its exhibitions programme and receives around 80,000 visitors annually. Exhibitors during 2011/12 have included established artists glassmaker Richard William Wheater and ceramicist Professor Stephen Dixon, and emerging talent such as textile artist/sculptor Laura Jane Blake. 

We aim to provide support for new creative businesses by providing affordable retail and studio space, develop new talent through workshop and education programmes and help new creative businesses grow and succeed, through professional development opportunities.

Find out more at http://www.craftanddesign.com/
Twitter: @manchestercraft
Facebook: /manchester.craft

Image Ed Chadwick

About Craft Scotland 

Craft Scotland - making connections, creating opportunities.

Craft Scotland is a Scottish charity, working to unite, inspire and champion Scottish craft.

We create opportunities for makers to exhibit, sell and promote their work, and for the public to see, purchase and learn about craft. We work to unite the Scottish craft community and connect them with local and international audiences. We do this through our varied campaigns, exhibitions, events and website.

Find out more at http://www.craftscotland.org
Twitter: @craftscotland
Facebook: /craftscotland

* If you are a craft maker living and working in Scotland, it's free and easy to create a profile page on Craft Scotland. Register for the site and find out more.