Craft Strategy Launched for Co. Wicklow

County Wicklow Partnership is delighted to reveal the Co. Wicklow Craft Strategy 2023 – 2027, which was officially launched by Minister Simon Harris on Friday 8th July 2022, at Russborough House, Co Wicklow.

The purpose of this Craft Strategy is to provide a strategic framework to support the ongoing development of a thriving, mature and sustainable craft economy within the county of Wicklow. It will aid a collaborative and visible infrastructure for craft and a support network which encourages and nurtures Wicklow’s diverse group of fulltime and part-time Craft Makers, Designers, Artists, Artisans, Educators and Mindfulness Craft Practitioners.

Speaking about the launch of the strategy, County Wicklow Partnership’s Chairperson Ian Daly commented:

“Wicklow has strong connection with the tradition, discipline and practice of craft in all its forms and processes. With an estimated 400 craft makers, designers and practitioners calling Wicklow their home they are certainly a valuable resource that offer a huge contribution to the economic and cultural wealth of the county, as well as its tourism offering.

The launch of this Craft Strategy is a hugely significant moment for Wicklow’s diverse craft practitioners and I’m sure that the positive impact of the proposed initiatives will be felt for many years to come. County Wicklow Partnership is proud to be launching this strategy, which is the culmination of extensive research and consultation on a local, national and international level.”

It is without doubt that, a considerable number of renowned full-time Craft Makers & Designers proudly reside in the Garden county with significant numbers of part-time Craft Practitioners dotted throughout the county. Through the research carried out in developing this strategy the process has highlighted a vibrant, diverse but somewhat fractured Craft Community. The strategy has revealed some of the many challenges facing Craft Practitioners in Wicklow, and questions the economic metrics through which the Craft & Design Sector is generally understood and represented in Ireland.

The County Wicklow Craft Strategy was commissioned by County Wicklow Partnership, Wicklow County Council and the Local Enterprise Office. Following an open tender, the project was awarded to Wicklow-based arts and cultural consultancy, Arts Leaders Associates.

This strategy aims to bring the fractured facets of Wicklow’s craft sector together, to create a more cohesive, collaborative and supportive network which provides opportunities for growth and synergy, combining existing resources and enhancing the current offering within the sector.