Craftspeople in East London face an uncertain future as a charity which runs 70 studio spaces on the Isle of Dogs is being forced to close.
Jo Mclean, Director of Craft Central, acknowledged the organisation’s financial struggles since leaving Clerkenwell Green in 2017.
She says these difficulties were worsened by the Covid pandemic, as well as “rising costs, particularly utility bills, and a general decline in funding for arts and crafts in the UK”.
Carolina Kollman is a professional multimedia visual artist and one of the many studio holders and members at the charity who faced an abrupt termination of their leases.
Carolina Kollman is trying to move all her stock in less than 9 days. CREDIT: MEGHANA VEERAPANENI/CITY NEWS
She told City News she received a termination notice from Craft Central on 15th February, serving her and the other creatives only two weeks notice to vacate their studios.
Carolina says she is “truly devastated by this shocking news, and the way it was handled”.
The charity houses around 100 artists, designer-makers, and creative businesses and offers opportunities to support business growth and foster a community of collaboration.
Carolina Kollman’s studio space. CREDIT: MEGHANA VEERAPANENI/CITY NEWS
London-based Arati Devasher is a book designer and illustrator who is also a member and studio holder at the space. She says “Without hubs like Craft Central, small makers have difficulty finding spaces for studios and platforms to exhibit.
“They can leverage a large organisation’s audience and resources to help their small reach to expand.”
Exhibition space at Craft Central. CREDIT: MEGHANA VEERAPANENI/CITY NEWS
An ex-studio holder and Craft Central member shared their thoughts on the closure, saying:
“Craftspeople are vulnerable in modern London. Studio space is rare and expensive, we have a lot of tools and equipment”.
Some of the craftspeople, including Carolina and the ex-member of the charity worry that at least half or more of the current studios will end up closing their businesses as a direct result of this closure.
Submitted Article
Headline
Short Headline
Standfirst
Published Article
HeadlineSeveral crafts studios at risk as East London Charity set to close
Short HeadlineCrafts studios at risk as East London charity shuts
StandfirstCraft Central on the Isle of Dogs has been providing spaces for artists for more than 50 years.
Craftspeople in East London face an uncertain future as a charity which runs 70 studio spaces on the Isle of Dogs is being forced to close.
Jo Mclean, Director of Craft Central, acknowledged the organisation’s financial struggles since leaving Clerkenwell Green in 2017.
She says these difficulties were worsened by the Covid pandemic, as well as “rising costs, particularly utility bills, and a general decline in funding for arts and crafts in the UK”.
Carolina Kollman is a professional multimedia visual artist and one of the many studio holders and members at the charity who faced an abrupt termination of their leases.
Carolina Kollman is trying to move all her stock in less than 9 days. CREDIT: MEGHANA VEERAPANENI/CITY NEWS
She told City News she received a termination notice from Craft Central on 15th February, serving her and the other creatives only two weeks notice to vacate their studios.
Carolina says she is “truly devastated by this shocking news, and the way it was handled”.
The charity houses around 100 artists, designer-makers, and creative businesses and offers opportunities to support business growth and foster a community of collaboration.
Carolina Kollman’s studio space. CREDIT: MEGHANA VEERAPANENI/CITY NEWS
London-based Arati Devasher is a book designer and illustrator who is also a member and studio holder at the space. She says “Without hubs like Craft Central, small makers have difficulty finding spaces for studios and platforms to exhibit.
“They can leverage a large organisation’s audience and resources to help their small reach to expand.”
Exhibition space at Craft Central. CREDIT: MEGHANA VEERAPANENI/CITY NEWS
An ex-studio holder and Craft Central member shared their thoughts on the closure, saying:
“Craftspeople are vulnerable in modern London. Studio space is rare and expensive, we have a lot of tools and equipment”.
Some of the craftspeople, including Carolina and the ex-member of the charity worry that at least half or more of the current studios will end up closing their businesses as a direct result of this closure.
