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Behind the Scenes

Here at the CCF/FCMA, we tend to measure our activity from one conference to the next – but a lot goes on behind the scenes between our annual live events. As we round the corner to another season, we wanted to shine a spotlight on the activities that have kept us busy for the past 8 months:

  • The Citizens of Craft podcast project: By years end, we aim to release a series of podcasts with special guest artists from across the country, sharing their stories and exploring the objects we love, the reasons we love them, and the people who bring them to life.
  • International Networking: We have increased our cross-border connections with the United States, through the LA Craft Think Tank and the Baltimore American Craft Show.
  • Sharing Information: We’ve published 16 bi-weekly blog posts and e-newsletters, along with countless social media posts to keep craft information fresh and at your fingertips.
  • Craft Year 2020: Long-term thinking, planning and promotion is underway, with ad hoc committees working toward special projects, including the Newfoundland based ‘Craft @ The Edge: A Handmade Future’ conference.
  • Improved Statistics: The CCF/FCMA is encouraging Craft Councils to collect comparable membership data, so that a more detailed picture can be painted about professional craft in Canada. We have also advanced discussions with Canadian Heritage and Statistics Canada to start improving and refining the statistical frameworks for craft in Canada. Our aim overall is to give the sector more accurate information to work with.
  • Advocacy: Letters of support and recommendations for improvement have been developed to highlight the importance of craft education and funding programs, defending key sectors when threatened with cuts.
  • National Awards: Jurying is underway now for the 2018 Robert Jekyll Award for Leadership in Craft – thank you to everyone who submitted a nomination.
  • Hiring has begun! We are delighted that new staff members are joining the CCF/FCMA, including summer student Carly Murphy at the end of May, and a new Digital Content Developer, who will join full time in June.
  • And last but not least, we’ve been working hard to expand the 2018 National Conference (Placemaking, set for Nova Scotia in 2018) in concert with our many partners, confirming conference content and speakers, social events, logistics, partnerships, promotions, funding, and sponsorships.

Interested in helping? Volunteers are welcome to join committees in order to advance these – and other – goals. Help us help the entire craft sector – contact us with your interest today.