Articles - 27 February 2008

2007 Annual General Meeting President's report

2007 was a year of consolidation for Craft Australia, drawing on strengths that have been developed over the past 3 years. Craft Australia's communication in 2007 focussed on promotion of online services and programs, and the wealth of information to be found through this valuable resource. The main focus of Craft Australia's online programs is developing new audiences for Australian craft and design.

The major goal of Craft Australia's Board during 2007 has been governance. To this end, the Board and staff were involved in developing a new 4 year business plan that takes Craft Australia from 2008 to 2011. The plan embraced the ongoing issue facing contemporary arts organisations - sustainability. Consequently, particular attention was paid towards diversifying the organisation's income base through fee-for-service programs that promote the sector and through the development of philanthropic programs. Craft Australia's revised goals and vision reflect the changing climate of the visual art, craft and design sector, and position the role of craft with design and the broader creative industries framework.

The strategic plan was used in application to the Visual Arts Board (VAB) of the Australia Council for funding. The contract from the VAB has just been received and once signed will provide four years of continuing financial support. This stable income base also reflects the view with which Craft Australia is now seen within the broader arts sector. Having emerged from a major restructure in 2003, the organisation has steered a clear course of support for contemporary practice that is vital and relevant.

At the Annual General Meeting in Canberra in 2007 Craft Australia appointed a new representative of the Australian Craft and Design Centres (ACDC) to the Board, Chetana Andary, Executive Director of Artisan: idea:skills:product. Chetana replaced Steven Pozel, Director of Object: Australian Centre for Craft and Design. Also appointed to the Board was Antonia Syme, Director, Syme Dodson Consulting and well known for her Directorship of Artbank.

At the AGM in 2008 Geoffrey Edwards, Director of Geelong Art Gallery, Virginia Braden, Managing Director of Arts Management and Gilbert Riedelbauch Lecturer at ANU School of Art and silversmith will be standing down from the board after having served their full term in office. Nominations for these positions have been submitted for Robert Reason, Curator of European and Australian Decorative Arts at the Art Gallery of South Australia, Jon Goulder, designer maker from Western Australia and Lorna Shuttlewood, Senior Financial Advisor for Walter Turnbull from the ACT.

Craft Australia maintained a strong role in advocacy for craft and design in 2007, particularly in the lead up to the Federal elections in November. In recognition of this role the General Manager, Catrina Vignando, was nominated to Chair the Australian Craft and Design Centres (ACDC) network, elected Treasurer of the Council for the Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences, CHASS, is a representative on National Visual Arts and Craft Network (NVCAN) board and also as a member of ArtsPeak, a confederation of national arts service organisations. Partnerships provided valuable opportunities to expand into areas and share resources and skills. Projects included ReSkin in partnership with the Australian Network of Art and Technology (ANAT) and the Australian National University (ANU), Living Treasures with Object; and the second iteration of Selling Yarns a project being held in partnership with the ANU and the National Museum of Australia (NMA).

Redevelopment of the Craft Australia website started in 2007 and will be completed in 2008. The redevelopment fits with the organisation's strategic direction and will increase capabilities by providing increased access to reader demographics and statistical data, increase capability to receive philanthropic donations and sponsorship and opportunities for increased interaction with the site.

Craft Australia has a small, tight team of staff who are often multi-skilled in areas that include arts practice as well as organisational skills. In 2007, artist and financial administrator Julie Ryder tendered her resignation to pursue her artistic practice, effective in February, 2008. The Board wishes her well in her endeavours and acknowledges the work of all the staff at Craft Australia who have contributed to the success of 2007. Continuing their fine work with the organisation into 2008 are Avi Amesbury, Communication Manager, Vivienne Jacyshyn, Financial Administrator, Jenny Deves Research, Officer and Belinda Jessup, Project Officer.

Robyn Daw,
President, Craft Australia
February, 2008