Craft links

Owl illustrationOur links directory lists organisations of interest to those starting out, or moving on, in the creative and cultural industries.

Expand the headings below to find other sources of information and resources for this sector.

Arts management

  • Arts Council England
    Arts Council England, as the national development agency for the arts, supports a range of artistic activities from theatre to music, literature to dance, photography to digital art, carnival to crafts.
  • Ashridge Business School
    Ashridge provides executive education and management training
  • Common Purpose Matrix Programme
    Common Purpose is a not-for-profit that offers a wide range of open and customised leadership programmes.
  • Creative and Cultural Skills (CCS)
    Creative & Cultural Skills is the Sector Skills Council for Advertising, Crafts, Cultural Heritage, Design, Literature, Music, Performing, and Visual Arts. We bridge the gap between industry, education and the government, to give employers a real influence over education and skills in the UK.
  • Cultural Leadership Programme
    The Cultural Leadership Programme (CLP) is a Government funded investment in excellence in leadership across the creative and cultural industries.
  • Higher Education and Research Opportunities (HERO)
    HERO is the official gateway to UK universities, colleges and research organisations. HERO provides information, a database of links, to all aspects of higher education across six sections packed with information, advice and essential contacts.
  • History of Arts Council England (Word download)
  • Scottish Museums Council
    National agency for central government support to Scotland's local museums. SMC provides advice, services and grant-aid to its members and promotes recognition of the role of museums in the country's cultural, social and economic life.
  • Voluntary Arts
    Voluntary Arts Network aims to promote participation in the arts and crafts across the UK and Republic of Ireland.

Arts organisations and venues

  • Arts Council England
    Arts Council England, as the national development agency for the arts, supports a range of artistic activities from theatre to music, literature to dance, photography to digital art, carnival to crafts.
  • Cockpit Arts
    Cockpit Arts is a creative business incubator for designer-makers. Renowned for being a ‘hotbed of creative talent’ - studios contain cutting edge fashion, jewellery and interior products.
  • Momtaz Begum-Hossain
  • Scottish Museums Council
    National agency for central government support to Scotland's local museums. SMC provides advice, services and grant-aid to its members and promotes recognition of the role of museums in the country's cultural, social and economic life.
  • Somerset House
    An inspiring space for art, culture and creative exchange in London.
  • The British Museum
  • Victoria & Albert Museum

Business, enterprise and legal

Careers information, advice and guidance

Diversity

  • Artswork
    An independent youth arts development agency committed to developing creative opportunities for young people aged 12-25. Current programme of work includes: Projects, Training, Youth Arts Consultancy, Networking and Advice Services, and Creating Futures specialist arts work with young people at risk.
  • Creative and Cultural Skills (CCS)
    Creative & Cultural Skills is the Sector Skills Council for Advertising, Crafts, Cultural Heritage, Design, Literature, Music, Performing, and Visual Arts. We bridge the gap between industry, education and the government, to give employers a real influence over education and skills in the UK.
  • Higher Education and Research Opportunities (HERO)
    HERO is the official gateway to UK universities, colleges and research organisations. HERO provides information, a database of links, to all aspects of higher education across six sections packed with information, advice and essential contacts.
  • The British Museum
  • Voluntary Arts
    Voluntary Arts Network aims to promote participation in the arts and crafts across the UK and Republic of Ireland.

Education and training

Funding, grants, awards and competitions

  • Arts Council England
    Arts Council England, as the national development agency for the arts, supports a range of artistic activities from theatre to music, literature to dance, photography to digital art, carnival to crafts.
  • Big Lottery Fund
  • Cockpit Arts
    Cockpit Arts is a creative business incubator for designer-makers. Renowned for being a ‘hotbed of creative talent’ - studios contain cutting edge fashion, jewellery and interior products.
  • Cultural Leadership Programme
    The Cultural Leadership Programme (CLP) is a Government funded investment in excellence in leadership across the creative and cultural industries.
  • Department for Culture, Media and Sports (DCMS)
    Responsible for Government policy on the arts, sport, the National Lottery, tourism, libraries, museums and galleries, broadcasting, creative industries including film and the music industry, press freedom and regulation, licensing, gambling and the historic environment.
  • National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts (NESTA)
    NESTA is the National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts. They are the largest single endowment devoted exclusively to supporting talent, innovation and creativity in the UK. Their mission is to transform the UK’s capacity for innovation. They invest in early stage companies, inform innovation policy and encourage a culture that helps innovation to flourish.
  • The Heritage Crafts Association
    The Heritage Crafts Association is the advocacy body for traditional heritage crafts. Working in partnership with Government and key agencies, it provides a focus for craftspeople, groups, societies and guilds, as well as individuals who care about the loss of traditional crafts skills, and works towards a healthy and sustainable framework for the future.
  • The Prince's Trust
    The Prince's Trust may be able to help you if you are aged 18-30, unemployed and have an idea for a business but can't raise the cash to get it started from anywhere else.

Government strategic and regional development agencies

  • Department for Culture, Media and Sports (DCMS)
    Responsible for Government policy on the arts, sport, the National Lottery, tourism, libraries, museums and galleries, broadcasting, creative industries including film and the music industry, press freedom and regulation, licensing, gambling and the historic environment.
  • Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE)
    Aims to help create a strong, diverse and sustainable economy in Scotland.

Industry bodies and associations

Publications

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