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Profile and Development
Strategy for Craft in Canada
Presented by Tom
McFall, Executive Director, Alberta Craft Council
A Study coordinated by Conseil des métiers d'art du Québec (CMAQ)
for the Canadian Craft Federation/Fédération canadienne des métiers
d'art (CCF/FCMA) and prepared by Bert Pereboom, Peartree Solutions
Inc., October , 2003.
This Profile and Development Strategy for Craft in Canada seeks to
fulfill two major purposes: first, to provide a qualitative and
quantitative profile of the craft sector in Canada, and second, to
work towards a consensus strategy for craft sector development to be
implemented for professional craftpersons by national and provincial
craft organizations, and other supporting groups. Though many
provinces have surveyed and measured craft communities in their own
jurisdictions over the last decade or two, this study marks the
first time that a consistent methodology to measure craft activity
was applied across Canada. This also marks the first attempt to
develop a cohesive domestic and international development strategy
for the craft community in Canada.
The profile reveals a sector that is largely populated with skilled
craftpersons working in home-based and other small studios producing
one of a kind work or production work. By current employment
standards the hours worked tend to be long, and the wages and
incomes relatively low. At the same time, the sector supports the
cultural richness and diversity of Canada that cannot be measured in
dollar values. Craft activities are estimated to support some 22,600
individuals, generating total output valued at $727 million, and
exports approaching $100 million dollars annually, representing 16
percent of craft revenue of the survey respondents.
A national strategy for the next stage of craft sector development
is both necessary and appropriate at this time. The craft sector
shows a developing awareness of its potential as both an economic
and cultural industry in Canada. A concerted strategy that builds
domestic and international markets has great potential to increase
both employment and the average incomes in the variety of creative
pursuits that make up craft activity in Canada.
For a hard copy of the study please contact:
info@canadiancraftsfederation.ca.
You can download the Executive Summary and the complete study by
going to
http://www.canadiancraftsfederation.ca/html/advocate_ccf.html
and click on the pdf
format link.
The Canadian
Crafts Federation site also contains information and links to all 10
Provincial Craft Councils, and they in turn are linked to many other
organizations. |
