Following anecdotal evidence that traditional crafts were not recognised at local government level – slipping between heritage (buildings) and the arts – the Heritage Crafts Association (HCA) conducted a survey into the support local councils (at city, district and county level) in England give to heritage/traditional crafts in their areas.
The survey was conducted by volunteers and members of the HCA, by telephone, between November 2010 and March 2011. Two main questions were asked: (1) is there anybody within the council with a remit for traditional crafts, and (2) are there any council-led (or other) initiatives to promote and protect traditional crafts? The survey was also used as an opportunity to raise awareness of the HCA and to gain contacts within councils.
Key results include:
· 241 out of 354 city, district and county level councils in England responded to the survey.
· Of those 241 councils, 42 (17.42%) have an officer whose remit includes traditional crafts – 11.86% of councils overall.
· By region, East Midlands, North East and South East are most likely to have an officer whose remit includes traditional crafts, and Greater London, North West and South West are least likely.
· Just over half of these officers (52.38%) are involved in the arts in some way, with culture also being prominent. Other departments include economic development, education, heritage, museums and galleries, and parks and countryside.
· Many councils associate traditional crafts with arts development, but 15 councils do not have, have lost or are about to lose their arts service.
· 134 councils are involved in some sort of activity to support traditional crafts – 55.60% of the councils that responded, and 37.85% of councils overall. In this respect, the South East is leading the way with nearly half of all councils involved in some sort of activity, while the West Midlands is falling behind.
· The main way in which local councils are supporting traditional crafts is by working with other organisations.
· There is a lack of understanding in councils of what traditional crafts are.
· Traditional crafts often slip through the county and district level divide.
For the report see: LINK
Heritage Crafts Survey: LINK
