We reopened our shop a week ago, and it has been delightful to welcome back many regular supporters. Our exhibition gallery opens on the 1st August and we are hopeful classes will resume in September.
While we might be getting back to normal, things remain tough for craftspeople. Many independent makers, craftspeople and designers have – throughout lockdown – been hit especially hard. Not only have many not received furlough, or been able to claim support as a business but they have lost out on routes to earn a livelihood. Craft fairs and exhibitions have been cancelled throughout 2020, and other opportunities to earn an income such as teaching evaporated throughout lockdown.
Reopening our doors feels like a huge step in reopening opportunities for crafts people to make a living. Our ongoing relationship with craftspeople plays a pivotal role in creating a fair, earned wage. We hepl sustain the livelihood of over 400 UK craftspeople every year, supporting independent makers and small studios, heritage craft methods and new craft thinking.
As a charity we are here to connect people with the hand-made and promote the joy and fulfilment of making. We have striven to do what we can to support craftspeople over lockdown. We supported our on-site studios by reducing studio fees for 6 months and we worked with the #DigitalCraftFestival promoting makers and craft.
We don’t support makers alone; you do all this too. Your purchase in the shop or online, booking of a class, your donation to our charity, enables us to support craftspeople.
But, these are extraordinary times – we need your help more than ever so we can work to support craft and creativity in all our lives. Give a pledge to help us support craft, through a small, regular donation. You can make your pledge here.
We are determined to continue, despite the tough months past and the uncertainty ahead. The impact of 2020 will be profound on New Brewery Arts. We hope you will join us and continue supporting, and enabling craft.
Beth Alden
CEO New Brewery Arts