Cork Art, Craft & Design
Cork Art & Design an umbrella group for professional craft makers in Cork County. As a trade network, CADs aspirations are :
Our goal:
To make Cork City and County a recognised destination for making, seeing, collecting, buying and learning about contemporary craft
Our Aims:
To help build a strong support system that allows contemporary craft to flourish
To encourage greater interest in contemporary craft
To increase sales of craft created in Cork
To champion dedicated craftmakers in Cork
To alert national and international audiences about Cork craft
Our objectives:
To co-ordinate Cork Craft Month annually
To develop a database of crafts producers in the Cork region
To explore the feasibility of and create a craft officer post in the region
To explore the feasibility of and create a retail craft outlet in Cork City
Our Values
We believe that:
Craft plays a dynamic and crucial role in Cork’s social, economic and cultural life
Craft should be available to everyone - to see, make, touch, buy, collect, learn about and explore
The strength of craft lies in its use of both traditional and contemporary techniques, ideas and materials resulting in awe-inspiring work.
Craft skills and knowledge should be shared and passed on to keep Cork craft strong and vibrant
The future for Cork craft is bright if its talent is nurtured, supported and encouraged.
The Cork Craft Industry
The Cork craft industry sector includes ceramics, glass, jewellery, textiles, furniture and many more. Cork craft businesses are mainly small in scale and geographically widespread. The industry is a significant employer, providing viable, sustainable enterprises around the county, including in rural communities deemed unsuitable by other manufacturing sectors.
The History
CorkArt & Design(CAD) was set up in 2005 under the auspices of the Cork County Development Board. It is a voluntary organization of Cork crafts persons. CAD’s remit is to represent all professional craft makers in Cork City and County