Craft Focus - Aug/Sep (Issue 68)

10 craft focus industry news FASHION COLLABORATION FOR ROYAL SCHOOL OF NEEDLEWORK The Royal School of Needlework has announced a new collaboration with menswear label E. Tautz. Signature pieces from the latest designer collection were hand- embroidered by RSN degree students and launched at London Fashion Week. The work, entitled Give Me a Future, is intended to be a modern-day demonstration of the labour movement in British history. It features symbols and slogans that appeared on placards during the Miners’ Strikes, a vintage trades union banner and a cartoon from an 1848 edition of Punch magazine. Students used appliqué and goldwork to hand-stitch each intricate design. “The work has provided our students with the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in the world of fashion, which is a vital part of their course,” says Angie Wyman, Course Leader, BA (Hons) Hand Embroidery for Fashion, Interiors and Textile Art at RSN. “It also enabled us to contribute to this powerful story and showcase traditional hand embroidery skills in a very visual way.” Go to royal- needlework.org.uk for details. £20M GOVERNMENT BOOST FOR CREATIVE INDUSTRIES Arts minister Michael Ellis has launched a £20 million fund for culture, heritage and the creative industries to benefit towns and cities across England. Areas will be able to bid for up to £7 million for projects to help with regeneration, new jobs and investment. This could include spaces for creative businesses, bringing historic buildings back into use or redeveloping museums and art galleries. The measures will help to grow local economies. The Cultural Development Fund is intended to mark a new approach to government investment in culture and the creative industries. Rather than going to specific venues or artform, it will focus on geographical locations, including rural areas. Ministers are also aiming to boost productivity and make places more attractive to live in, work and visit. “Cultural investment can have a transformative impact on the UK’s communities,” explains Michael Ellis. “Creativity, culture and heritage is what makes places special for local people and visitors alike, but it also helps attract inward investment, with businesses drawn to vibrant, exciting towns and cities. This initiative gives more places the chance to harness the power of culture to regenerate communities, create jobs and boost tourism.” The Fund will be administered through Arts Council England. Visit artscouncil.org.uk for more information. SOMERSET OPEN STUDIOS RETURNS IN SEPTEMBER Featuring nearly 300 artists across some 200 venues, Somerset Open Studios is now the largest event in the county for visual artists and makers. This year it runs from 15 th -30 th September and offers a rare opportunity to view established, new and emerging artists for free in their working environment. Disciplines will include ceramics, sculpture, metalwork, textiles, wood, jewellery and glass. Artists will be working in studios, homes and temporary spaces, allowing craft enthusiasts to see what goes on behind the scenes. There will also be a programme of demonstrations, workshops and talks. Visit somersetartworks.org.uk for details.