Curated by Rui Shu.
Making and Learning
In the curated project, young people will view the value of craft education among artists and teachers in the Scottish region. The project highlights how young people can be encouraged to gain skills and want to introduce young people to career paths in craft, art and design. How their understanding of themselves and their connection to craft is worthwhile. After considering the pedagogical objectives, the young people will find the community they want to show their results through the constructed craftwork. Working in small groups, the young people will provide feedback on each other’s projects.
Making and Learning Manifesto
We see craft as a contemporary and traditional art form and a creative and innovative industry.
Educators and artists contribute their resources, and we provide a sustainable working platform.
We foster pioneering thinking through lifelong learning.
We see craft as a leader in ethical, environmental and sustainable art time.
Crafts Courses
Kite Making, Collage Jewelry, Climate Coalition Heart Badge
Ages
18 – 20
Estimated Time
29 / 04 / 2022 11:00 am – 1:00 pm
Four 120 minute class periods of discussion, craft and design
Place
1.16, Fire Station, ECA
Key Concepts
Teachers can be artists and artists can be teachers.
The traditional goal of assimilation in schooling can be balanced with recognition and respect of various cultures.
Artworks and craft works can be visual objects that teach and that advocate on behalf of someone or something.
Experimentation and playfulness in art making can help us develop new forms of expression.
Conversations
Ariel: How do you view Scotland as a place for craft?
Rui: Scotland is a great place to learn to make, with lots of expertise available. There are lots of quality short courses in which you can learn aspects of craft. There are a number of different support organizations and an infrastructure of organizations like ours, or galleries that are promoting work. And there’s the national agency Craft Scotland, Applied Arts Scotland and Visual Arts Scotland who include craft and design within visual art and exhibitions.
Ariel: How do you feel about education in crafts?
Rui: I have worked with a lot of primary and secondary age students and craft is so often sidelined as an extra curricular activity. I think if we were educating students more holistically on the history of craft, from its connection to society, politics and culture, to how people live, we could provide a much stronger basis for the art-form. In Higher Education, I think there is a massive gap to be bridged between finishing training and establishing your practice. How can we support makers through initial professional development? There is still a very linear approach for craft makers in education, providing limited support to expand practice beyond making and selling.
Ariel: How do you think crafts can be disseminated to the public?
Rui: We need to ensure that the presentation of craft functions in a cross-disciplinary manner that competes with the best contemporary art, the best theatre, the best music, the best literature. Craft centers on process, human connection, skill, style, history, identity and story-telling. In this way it must present itself accessibly, beyond a craft community.
