Craft and Design challenge 2017 kicks off

The British Council on October 10th launched the first event of its global program Crafting Futures called "Craft and Design challenge 2017" for young designers in Vietnam.

The 15 participants who have been pre-selected to enter this Craft and Design challenge are final year design students, young designers and entrepreneurs who either show interest and credibility in craft-based design or already have experience in running projects and/or businesses in craft and design. 

Participants must show their commitment to learn and apply creative approaches and design-led skills in working with female artisans and craft-makers in order to create more opportunities for revitalizing the craft.

The 15 chosen participants will be able to join a series of 3 professional development workshops, a residency program which will take place during November and December and an actual Craft and Design challenge.

A showcase of the craft and design projects/products will be organised for all entries to the challenge. The showcase will be for 3 weeks, offering an opportunity for participants to present their product designs/prototypes as well as raise funds for their business plans. The showcase is tentatively planned for March or April 2018. 

The three most successful entries will be selected by the jury panel consisting of experts in the field of craft, design and entrepreneurship.

The total value of the prizes is 150 million VND. Receivers of the prizes will be expected to use the awarded amount as a seed fund to implement their newly formulated craft and design development projects. 

The British Council wishes to continue their support to the implementation of these projects after the Craft and Design challenge 2017.

Crafting Futures is a British Council global programme supporting the development of sustainable craft industries. In Southeast Asia, the programme aims to foster economic empowerment through the development of creative social enterprise and design-led skills for female artisans and designers. The programme will have a specific focus on promoting social innovation, fair and ethical collaborations, and an appreciation of cultural heritage.
In Vietnam, Crafting Futures will achieve its aim by working to connect creative practitioners (designers) and social and creative enterprises with female artisans and craft makers’ communities, to create more inclusive opportunities for sustainable and ethical craft-based production. Activities of the programme will be designed with a strong focus on skills and capacity building across the areas of design, social innovation, and cultural heritage management.
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