Craft as a Creative Industry

Craft is resurgent. More people are buying craft, more money is being spent on craft products than ever before. This book centres craft as a creative industry, illuminating the experiences of those working in and around craft, particularly people from marginalized groups.

Shining a light on inequalities around craft work, the author examines the lived experiences of women makers of colour in the professional craft sector. Experiences of racism and microaggressions at all stages of their craft career are analysed. The author draws on innovative empirical research carried out in the UK and Australia, two countries where the resurgence in craft is apparent, yet professional craft practice is dominated by the white and relatively privileged. In interrogating hierarchies of expertise and cultural value in craft, the author employs case studies from community crafts and social enterprises.

The result is a book of interest to scholars at the intersections of the creative and cultural industries, the creative economy, and inequalities at work.

Karen Patel is a Research Fellow at Birmingham City University, UK.