The Goldmsiths' Centre Celebrates Its 5th Birthday

Founded by the Goldsmiths’ Company, one of the Twelve Great Livery Companies of the City of London, the Goldsmiths’ Centre provides an unrivalled facility for jewellers, silversmiths and craftspeople in the allied trades to excel and thrive in their careers. Since opening in 2012, the charity has nurtured the technical craft skills of 44 young people through its Foundation Programme and seen the next generation of 36 Goldsmiths’ Company Apprentices successfully establish themselves in the trade.

It's business support programmes have helped 237 young graduates and aspiring jewellers gain the right skills to start their careers, whilst 83 craftspeople work daily from its workshop and studio spaces establishing their businesses. With over 1,000 members, it is also growing its creative community by providing a social opportunity for individuals to make connections in the trade.

The Chief Executive and Clerk of the Goldsmiths’ Company, Sir David Reddaway, explained,

“The Goldsmiths’ Centre is the jewel in the crown of today’s Goldsmiths’ Company. It ensures that our 700-year-old connection to the trade, craft and industry is vibrant and relevant. There isn’t any other organisation in the UK that can do what the Centre does to provide support, promote skills, and train the new generation of craftspeople.” 

The Goldsmiths’ Centre is looking to inspire new creative ways of thinking, injecting imagination and innovative approaches into a traditional industry. Over the past five years a changing programme of 34 exhibitions and displays has been hosted in partnership with prestigious organisations such as Contemporary British Silversmiths and the Goldsmiths’ Craft and Design Council.

Thought-provoking events have attracted over 3,400 attendees and have helped to change perceptions and attitudes within the trade and connect up the industry both across and beyond creative disciplines. Since 2014, it has actively taken part in Clerkenwell Design Week, and will be building this year on previous success, hosting The Serendipity Studio, an environment where visitors can attend drop-in demonstrations and talks on design innovation and find inspiration relevant to their industry. 

Peter Taylor, Director of the Goldsmiths’ Centre added,

“5 years marks a key milestone for the Goldsmiths’ Centre. It is phenomenal to reflect on what has been achieved since opening in 2012!. Our aim is to build on our charity’s success, growing, promoting and supporting innovation. We hope to protect the future of this exceptional industry through our knowledge, passion and commitment to creativity, craftsmanship and community and by working with partners from across the sector here in the UK and further afield.” 

Image credits: goldsmiths-centre.org