Designation of a WCC Craft City Guidelines

Transcription

1 Designation of a WCC Craft City Guidelines A network of creative craft cities worldwide has been recently launched by the World Crafts Council (WCC) in the framework of the creative economy and in response to the growing awareness of the contribution of local authorities, craftpersons and communities to cultural, economic and social development. Through this innovative and unique network, WCC intends to: Highlight on a global platform the reputation and assets of a creative city in a specific craft field: woodwork, weaving, pottery, etc. Strengthen local potential for innovation and the development of creative tourism Promote the exchange of know-how, experiences and best practices in diverse craft fields, at the national, regional and international level Create new opportunities for cooperation and partnership between the designated creative craft cities The WCC network will also bring a complementary contribution to the UNESCO Creative Cities programme and foster interaction between crafts and other creative industries. Interested cities are invited to submit their candidatures to the WCC International Secretariat with the relevant documentary evidence listed in the enclosed Guidelines The applications will be screened by an.independent panel of craft specialists before the final decision by the WCC Board. Information on the selected creative craft cities will be posted on the WCC website and the regional websites. Commitment: Designated creative craft cities must submit an annual report to the WCC International Secretariat on their activities and projects 1

2 If after two reminders, a city has not provided this report, the WCC Board may invite it to leave the network. Eligibility: Cities and localized regions (made up of towns or villages known for one type of craft) meeting the following criteria will be eligible to apply: 1. The applicant area must have a tradition of hand crafted products which are well known both nationally and/or internationally for the quality and skill of craftsmanship. 2. The craft industry must be considered important economically to the people from the region. 3. Up to five applications may be submitted from a single country per year. Multi-national applications are possible if the same craft area crosses political boundaries. Application Preparation A. The application for the designation as a WCC Craft City should be comprehensively documented with information, photographs and statistics, and be no longer than 5 pages, double spaced, 12 point type. The letters of support may add an additional 3 pages in total. B. Applications need to have the support of the local government body, members of the private and public sectors, as well as civic society. This should be demonstrated by a letter from each of the 3 organizations, not to exceed 3 pages in total. C. A leading non-profit organization or an institution belonging to the public sector, (such as a Municipality) in the city that deals with crafts should be identified to submit the application to WCC. This is a simple statement declaring that this organization is submitting the application. Application Guidelines 2

3 The first designated WCC Craft City or region s application will be used as a sample for the type of information to be collected on the city and crafts by the applicant. This is not exhaustive and can be adapted to the field of application of the candidate city. a. Applications will be accepted once per year. The application must be e- mailed to WCC at wcc.beijing@gmail.com by midnight on the due date. The time period will be from January 1 to March 30 th. The first applicant shall be exempt from this time period. b. The application for the WCC Craft City should be comprehensively documented with information, photographs and statistics. General information should include an overview of the city or local region, including general information such as population, economic statistics and relevant descriptions. A list of website links about the area and craft would also be helpful. c. Craft information i. Crafts in the city or region and the environs ii. Key crafts with significant impact on social, cultural and economic development iii. Origin, history and traditions, of the crafts as well as their cultural identity iv. Utilitarian, ornamental, and or ritual usage of the crafts v. Where are the crafts produced? For example work sheds craftspersons homes, museums, studios, etc. vi. What are the raw materials used, how are they made and what are the techniques of production. vii. Markets Who buys the crafts from the craftsperson? Are they sold in retail locations, museums, stores, markets, traditional, boutique? viii. Statistics on crafts persons traditional trained, studio crafts, etc. ix. Trade in crafts x. The relationship of craft to local tourism 3

4 d. Craft education (not all of these questions will apply to every applicant) i. How do the craftspersons learn their trade? Are the traditions passed down in the family or community? ii. Are there design schools and designers who work with the craftsperson? iii. What is the creative industry like in your area? Are there institutions which promote craft or educate people about craft? iv. Awareness Are there award programmes and other types of recognition in place? v. Do the local media and publications cover the craft industry? vi. Do you market in trade fairs, conferences, high profile events vii. What is the approximate number of creative professionals in your area? What is the number of jobs created in the past 5 years? viii. Are there areas or neighbourhoods dedicated to creativity (e.g. regeneration plans) creative clusters and professional associations ix. Does the area have an international reputation? x. Are there informal educational opportunities. e. Information about craftspersons i. Statistics on crafts persons for example are they traditionally trained in school or universities; do they work in studios, etc.? ii. What are the social conditions of the craftspersons? Do they have health care, retirement rights, etc.? iii. What are the working conditions of the craftspersons? What materials are used in the workshop? What are the environmental conditions in the working area, etc.? f. Are there creative partnerships opportunities? (not all of these questions will apply to every applicant) i. Museums, galleries, craft centers, craft schools, etc. ii. Craft promotion and dissemination iii. Craftspersonship in architecture iv. Programme of activities v. Public-Private partnerships vi. International co-operation projects 4

5 vii. Partnerships projects for intellectual collaboration with other craft cities 2. The Selection Process pre-visit: WCC Board will send 1 or 2 crafts experts to the city that applies for WCC Crafts City for pre-evaluation. WCC Board will decide whether to accept the application for next-step screening upon the experts report. a. The applications will first be screened by an impartial external jury of experts designated by the President of World Craft Council. Each juror will have a background in the field of handicrafts. Representatives from at least 3 of the regions will be on the jury. b. The members of the jury will meet virtually or in person for screening the applications and will use a consistent judging system for uniform evaluation of the applications. c. The designated jury will make a shortlist with the applications considered to best match the requirements. d. In the event that the jury decides to proceed with the application, there will be an on-site visit. The 2 to 3 day site visit by the jury will be sponsored by the requesting city or region. These expenses shall include: airfare, local transportation, meals, hotels and a per diem. e. After deciding on the short list of applications, the jury will meet to discuss and decide on the final selection. f. The jury will write up a document with its final recommendation to be considered by the WCC Board. This will not apply for the first designated craft city review since the jury and the board will be one in the same. 3. The Decision: 1. The selection decision shall be made by a majority vote from the WCC Board using the recommendation from the jury. This vote can be accomplished during a Board meeting or an on-line Board vote. 5

6 2. The results of the vote will be communicated to the applicant within a month of the review or sooner if possible. 3. The city or region will be expected to work with other WCC designated locations on future projects. This may involve working as a juror on the evaluation committee or assisting in a future WCC project. 4. The decision will be posted on the WCC website and the regional websites, thus encouraging more applications. 5. Press releases will be issued by WCC to the major craft publications. 6. Reevaluation of the WCC craft city must be implemented for every four years. 6