A new development organisation for craft has been established to support Northern Irelands estimated 400 craft businesses. With the principal task of raising the profile of craft among the general public, Craft Northern Ireland will seek to promote craft, develop business opportunities and to support designer-makers and craft businesses. Launched as part of the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisures Unlocking Creativity initiative, a Government policy designed to help strenghten Northern Irelands competitive presence in the creative industries.
Craft Northern Ireland is a response to specific challenges in the region including an under-developed support structure, financial weakness in the craft sector and barriers for makers in developing income and audiences. Acting as a champion for craft, Craft Northern Ireland aims to lever funding into the sector from other areas of government, as well as developing good practice within the sector itself. Joe Kelly the new Director of Craft Northern Ireland said at its launch, There is a wealth of talented designermakers who have established their reputation both within Northern Ireland and further afield. Our role is to develop and support the sector and to create an environment in which individuals and businesses can build for their own success both at home and abroad.