Make Your Futures - Makers Call

Call for Makers: Make Your Future

The Crafts Council is looking for craft makers to plan and deliver workshops for our flagship craft education programme, Make Your Future.

Make Your Future is a hands-on programme that connects traditional craft with digital technologies. The project brings together Higher Education Institutions, cultural partners, secondary schools, and makers to reignite a passion for making in schools and shine a light on craft as a cross-curricular bridge between science, technology, and creative subjects.

In the project's first year:

Birmingham schools have worked with Birmingham City University's World Class School of Jewellery to explore techniques from saw piercing to 3D printing
A focus on Yorkshire's rich textiles heritage has seen schools paired with Leeds University and Leeds College of Art experimenting with techniques including hand-dyeing, screen printing and CAD
At Central St Martin's, West London schools have developed new ceramic techniques ranging from hand-building and glazing to innovative digital processes

Maker Role

Makers will work alongside teachers in secondary schools at key stage three (years 7-9), to develop and deliver a series of craft and digital craft workshops for students.

Successful makers will be passionate about inspiring young people and enriching the project with their innovative practice. Strong teamwork skills and enthusiasm for craft education are essential.

Science and technology are at the heart of Make Your Future, so all proposals should demonstrate the STEAM processes involved in craft practice. Activities will inspire future makers, encourage students to look at craft in broader terms, and consider the career opportunities available in crafts industries.

Projects should also have a strong element of digital practice. If your practice does not have a strong digital element, you could submit a joint proposal with a maker who works in this way.

Examples from the project’s first year include wall paper design with digital print; hand built ceramics made using ‘artcode’ image recognition technology; innovative etching processes for metals with a CAD element; traditional hand weaving translated into digital repeat patterns; wirework name necklaces with a CAD element.