That's a wrap on 2021
Thank you // Happy holidays from Craft ACT
2021 has been such a significant year for Craft ACT, as the organisation celebrated its 50th Year, its Golden Anniversary, we responded to the challenges of the pandemic and supported each other in creative and innovative ways; and have experienced profound transformation in the team, the board of management; and our activities.
Many previous staff and Board members have moved on to new opportunities and as the new CEO I feel incredibly fortunate to have inherited the wonderful legacy they created. I extend my sincere thanks to Rachael Coghlan, Kate Nixon, Maddy Zabel, Meagan Jones and Vy Tsan and previous board members; Graham Humphries, Jennie Cameron, David Marshall for everything they have done to make Craft ACT and the DESIGN Canberra Festival what it is today.
We move into 2022 with an entirely new team of staff and I feel privileged to work with this talented and committed team and with Craft ACT’s 448 skilled and very lovely members; all of whom showed resilience, creativity, and a collaborative spirit in response to the challenges of 2021. I very much look forward to working together again next year towards realising Crafts ACT’s vision to embed contemporary craft making and design the at the centre of everyday life in Australia’s capital, a global city of design.
A highlight of the year for me has been getting to know Craft ACT members, sponsors, supporters and government partners. I feel honoured to be in this role working with such an incredible and generous community that understands and promotes the intrinsic value of art, craft and design in telling our stories, connecting us to our humanity, strengthening our sense of belonging and identity, and making our lives more beautiful.
Whilst we were very disappointed to have to cancel the DESIGN Canberra Festival this year we are excited to present the full 2021 ‘Transformation’ program in November 2022 and so grateful to all of our wonderful supporters and partners, for their generosity and their commitment to continuing to work with us in 2022 and beyond.
During 2021 the goodwill shown by our partners and the support of the ACT government allowed us to develop and deliver the smaller ‘Nurture’ program which drew on the well documented benefits of creativity to enhance wellbeing; supporting our artists and the Canberra community during this difficult time. The program was specifically tailored to focus on the well-being aspects of creativity, making and crafting as tools for health and recovery; and as an antidote to the stresses brought about by the pandemic. Feedback from participants and our member makers was overwhelmingly positive.
We are so excited to have launched the call out for the last part of the Nurture program, Discover: Craft + Design Public Art Trail in collaboration with the City Renewal Authority in which Craft ACT members will have the opportunity to work with mentors to create public art works to be presented during Contour 556 and the Design Canberra Festival 2022. (Submissions due 14 February 2022) we have also just launched the call out for the DESIGN Canberra Festival 2022 and look forward to receiving your submission (Submissions due 28 March, 2022).
Craft ACT will be closed from Thursday 23 December 2021 and reopen on Thursday 3 February 2022. Our online shop will continue to delight with new orders being shipped from 5 January 2022, you can also enjoy the fruits of our community online during the summer, including our Nurture Studio Stories video member profiles; and articles and essays, photo library, e-catalogues and more.
On behalf of the team at Craft ACT, we wish you a very happy holiday season and hope you can enjoy time with your loved ones, much needed relaxation and creative inspiration.
We look forward to working with again in 2022.
Warm regards
Jodie Cunningham
CEO + Artistic Director