Craft ACT updates: COVID-19

Dear Craft ACT friends, members and community,

Craft ACT has been carefully monitoring activities in light of the COVID-19 situation.

Supporting artists is at the core of what we do at Craft ACT. We recognise that these are very uncertain and difficult times for artists and we want to do everything we can to support them and our community.

We also take seriously our responsibility to help ‘flatten the curve’ and slow the rate of infections of COVID-19 in our community. It’s important for the whole community to take precautions even if we as individuals are not sick or at high-risk. History shows that taking strong steps now to slow the spread of coronavirus will help everyone.

We have therefore decided to cancel or amend upcoming events and programs. Details are below. 
At this stage, Craft ACT will remain open to the public to view exhibitions and buy work from our shop and gallery. 

Please be assured that we are doing our best to create alternative and imaginative ways to support our wonderful creative community while supporting social distancing measures. Craft ACT will continue to monitor the situation in relation to COVID-19 regularly, adhering to the ongoing advice of the relevant authorities.

Opening event 26 March 2020: cancelled

As a precautionary measure, we have decided to suspend our floor talks, opening events and internship programs until further notice.

Openings are wonderful events, to celebrate the artists and thank the many people who supported them and the development of their work. It’s a time to bring our community together and show support for one another. We really love them but we have decided cancel our next opening event on 26 March 2020 for these two beautiful exhibitions:
We will continue to support the artists who have been developing work for the exhibition for over a year. The exhibition will be open to the public from 26 March to 9 May 2020. We will share videos, photographs, catalogues and a virtual tour online. Some of this online engagement is new for Craft ACT, but we can see that there are benefits beyond managing the virus’ threat: creating virtual experiences could make the important work of Craft ACT more accessible to diverse audiences.

Craft ACT AGM: participate online

As an incorporated association, Craft ACT is legally required to hold an Annual General Meeting (AGM) to present financial and other reports from the previous year, elect board members and for members to ask questions of the board and staff. In 2020, the Craft ACT AGM will be held on Tuesday 31 March at 6pm. 

To support social distancing in the context of COVID-19, we are introducing a way for members to virtually participate in the AGM. 

Zoom, a video conferencing and real-time messaging website, will allow members to watch and participate in the AGM from home or work. All you need to do is sign up for a free account and we’ll send you a meeting link. 

Our constitution states that we need a quorum of members to attend the AGM, so please make an effort to attend virtually or in person. If you would prefer to attend in person, appropriate social distancing measures will be in place.

Please note, the funding presentations for artists have been cancelled, in line with our decision to cancel public programs.

View a guide on how to use Zoom from home on our website or email email Meagan by 27 March at membership@craftact.org.au to send your RSVP to attend in person.

 
Craft ACT: HQ

At this stage, Craft ACT will remain open to the public to view exhibitions and buy work in our shop and gallery by Canberra region artists. 

Our gallery and shop will open during normal business hours: Tuesday to Friday 10am-5pm, and Saturdays 12-4pm. We will actively promote the beautiful work by our members online – please continue to support the Canberra region’s outstanding contemporary craft and design community and purchase their work. 

The health and safety of our audiences, contributors and staff are paramount and we will continue to monitor the situation in relation to COVID-19 regularly, adhering to the ongoing advice of the relevant authorities.

It is important to ensure that Craft ACT remains a healthy workspace for our staff, members and visitors. Please support us to stay healthy by following the advice how to protect yourself and others at https://www.health.gov.au/health-topics/novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov.

Craft ACT operations may change at short notice in light of COVID-19. Updates will be published on our website.

Artist-in-residence: changes

Our annual artist-in-residence open day at Gudgenby Ready-Cut Cottage (presented with our friends and supporters ACT Parks & Conservation Service) has been postponed until further notice. 

The artist-in-residence floor talk in April has been cancelled. 


As always, the health and safety of our audiences, contributors and staff are paramount and we will continue to monitor the situation in relation to COVID-19 regularly, adhering to the ongoing advice of the relevant authorities.

Thanks for your understanding.

Rachael Coghlan
CEO + Artistic Director
Craft ACT: Craft + Design Centre

Image: Zoë Veness, Wayfaring vessel #15, 2020. Copper, patinated. Photo: courtesy of the artist.