2003 Annual Report, CCoI

Annual Report

20

03

C

reating a ‘whole’

from many separate parts... harmonising those parts, finding their rhythm, their measure, making this ‘whole’ appear alive and then placing it in the minds and lives of others...

Table of Contents ∞ .......... One.....................

Crafts Council Of Ireland Introduction and Background to the Crafts Council of Ireland................. 05 Mission Statement and Vision ................................................................. 06 Structure of the Craft Council of Ireland ................................................. 09 List of Board Members ............................................................................ 11 List of Member Organisations ................................................................. 12 List of Staff ............................................................................................. 13 List of Service Contractors....................................................................... 13 Register of Craft Enterprise by County.....................................................14

Two..................... “ ” .........

Reports Chairman’s Report.................................................................................. 16 Chief Executive Officer’s Report............................................................... 18

; ............ Three..................... Programme Summaries Communications..................................................................................... 21 Information............................................................................................. 22 Statistical Research.................................................................................. 23 IT Development ...................................................................................... 24 Product and Market Development........................................................... 25 Business Development ............................................................................ 28 Business Training .................................................................................... 29 Business and Design Mentoring...............................................................29 Full Time Pottery and Jewellery Skills Courses.......................................... 30 Exhibitions .............................................................................................. 32 E-business initiative – hands on............................................................... 34 Showcase................................................................................................ 35 Christmas Presence ................................................................................. 36

! ........... Four.....................

Measures of Success Beneficiaries 2003................................................................................... 37

% .......... Five.....................

Finance The Directors’ Report.............................................................................. 43 Auditors Comments ............................................................................... 45 Accounts ............................................................................................... 47

? ............ Six.....................

Services and Activities List of All Services and Activities ............................................................. 50

CRAFTS COUNCIL OF IRELAND ANNUAL REPORT 2003

one

∞

Crafts Council Of Ireland

05 06 09 11 12 13 13 14

Introduction and Background to the Crafts Council of Ireland

Mission Statement and Vision

Structure of CCoI

List of Board Members

List of Member Organisations

List of Staff

List of Project Managers

Register of Craft Enterprise by County

–4–

CRAFTS COUNCIL OF IRELAND ANNUAL REPORT 2003

CRAFTS COUNCIL OF IRELAND ANNUAL REPORT 2003

Introduction and Background to the Crafts Council of Ireland..........................................................

The Crafts Council of Ireland (CCoI) is the national design and economic development organisation for the craft industry in Ireland. Its activities are funded by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment via Enterprise Ireland.

HISTORY OF CRAFTS COUNCIL OF IRELAND

“ Over the years

Irish Society for Design and Craftwork, Dr Muriel Gahan, the Royal Dublin Society and

the aims and objectives of CCoI have

Blanaid Reddin among others. It was an event which inspired many and which resulted

evolved

the following year in the formation of the Crafts Council of Ireland as a voluntary body

and

under the chairmanship of Frank Sutton with a committee of honorary officials. The R.D.S.

developed

In 1970 the World Crafts Council Conference was brought to Ireland, organised by the

provided office facilities and subscriptions were raised by members.

In 1976 the Council became a Limited Company, was given a statutory function by the Minister for Industry and Commerce, Justin Keating, and was funded by the Industrial Development Authority to employ a staff of two at Thomas Prior House, Ballsbridge. Its brief was to work for the improvement of standards in craft and the welfare of craftspeople, and to act as advisors to the Government in matters concerning crafts.

From 1973 to 1983 a Management Committee of fifteen people was elected by ballot at the Council’s Annual General Meeting to devise policy and oversee its implementation by the Secretariat. In 1983, however, the Articles of Association were amended to allow the Minister for Industry and Commerce to nominate five members of the Management Committee, while the remaining ten members continued to be elected by the Council members. Elections are held annually, when the three longest serving elected members retire by rotation. Ministerial appointments are for a period of three years.

Over the years the aims and objectives of CCoI have evolved and developed to meet the needs of the industry and to ensure its growth and development. CCoI’s recently published second Strategic Plan 2004 – 2006 builds on the successes of the first plan and maps out the activities for the coming three years.

–5–

to meet the needs of the industry and to ensure its growth and development

”

CRAFTS COUNCIL OF IRELAND ANNUAL REPORT 2003

CRAFTS COUNCIL OF IRELAND ANNUAL REPORT 2003

CCoI is based in Kilkenny, with a sub-office in Dundalk, Co. Louth. It employs 13 people full time and a number of part time / temporary contractors and project managers. It has over 60 Member Organisations, over 1,300 registered craftspeople and in 2003 operated with a budget of €2,580,441.

THE CRAFT INDUSTRY The major areas of manufacturing in the craft industry are pottery, glass, jewellery, textiles (particularly knitwear) and furniture.

Irish craft businesses are characteristically small in scale and are geographically wide spread, but taken nationally the industry is a significant employer.

The impact of the craft industry in Ireland goes beyond the commercial contribution it makes to employment and manufacture and to its valuable synergy with tourism. The Crafts Council of Ireland believes that the craft industry’s cultural and social impact is as significant as its economic one. The craft industry’s geographic distribution in rural areas makes a vital contribution to social inclusion and the retention of viable rural communities.

–6–

CRAFTS COUNCIL OF IRELAND ANNUAL REPORT 2003

CRAFTS COUNCIL OF IRELAND ANNUAL REPORT 2003

The Craft Council of Ireland’s Mission Statement..............................................................

“That the Crafts Council of Ireland

be the main champion of the craft industry in Ireland

Fostering its growth and commercial strength

.....

.....Communicating its unique identity .....Stimulating quality, design, innovation and competitiveness

–7–

”

CRAFTS COUNCIL OF IRELAND ANNUAL REPORT 2003

...................The

Craft Council of Ireland’s

Vision.........................................................

“That Irish craft be recognised and valued for its excellence and innovation in design and production.

”

–8–

worldwide

CRAFTS COUNCIL OF IRELAND ANNUAL REPORT 2003

CRAFTS COUNCIL OF IRELAND ANNUAL REPORT 2003

Structure of the Craft Council of Ireland........................

AN ORGANISATION OF ORGANISATIONS The Crafts Council of

Members are:

Ireland is a limited

■

The subscribers to

company. The Council’s

the Memorandum of

shareholders are

Associations (founders)

represented by member

■

organisations and institutions, which share

■

the Council’s aims and objectives and are involved

contemporary and traditional craft.

■

membership confers: ■

The right at an AGM to question the

Bodies corporate

Council’s Board on

(institutions)

their presentation of

Individual persons

the Council’s activity

whom the Board of

and financial accounts

CCoI shall from time

of the previous year

to time decide to admit

in the promotion of

Organisational

■

The right to nominate

to membership

any candidate to the

Persons nominated

Board of Directors

by the Board of

■

The right to vote

CCoI to represent

candidates onto the

unincorporated

Board of Directors

associations upon which the Board may wish to confer the benefit of membership (guilds and trade associations).

–9–

CRAFTS COUNCIL OF IRELAND ANNUAL REPORT 2003

CRAFTS COUNCIL OF IRELAND ANNUAL REPORT 2003

REGISTER OF CRAFT ENTERPRISE This is a database of craftspeople who are, in essence, the clients of CCoI – and to whom all projects, services and activities are tailored.

There are over 1,300 craftspeople on the Register of Craft Enterprise. Registration is dependent on the fulfilment of certain CCoI criteria including: ■

Applicants must be a craftsperson as recognised by CCoI, that is ‘one who – possessing and using the skills, including the design skills necessary – exercises direct control over the shaping, fashioning and use of material and over the development and application of design and who then offers these objects for sale’

■

Design led applicants must be either a designer / maker, designer/ manager or designer

■

Applicants must be resident in Ireland, or else an Irish citizen living within the EU

■

Applicants must practice a craft discipline recognised by CCoI (more details are available on CCoI application form).

Registration confers: ■

Access to all CCoI services and activities

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BEING A ‘MEMBER ’ORGANISATION AND BEING ‘REGISTERED WITH’ CCOI Member organisations are represented by individuals who monitor CCoI, particularly its strategic and financial activity, on behalf of the whole craft industry. Their main opportunity to comment on CCoI performance comes at the Annual General Meeting.

(The Board of CCoI have the option open to them of creating individual members of the company who do not represent any organisation. The criteria for exercising this option is under review).

Registered craftspeople do not have voting rights at the AGM, or a formal monitoring role of Council strategy – however, their views, when correlated by independent research, have significant influence on CCoI policy development.

– 10 –

CRAFTS COUNCIL OF IRELAND ANNUAL REPORT 2003

CRAFTS COUNCIL OF IRELAND ANNUAL REPORT 2003

List of Board Members....................................................................

CRAFTS COUNCIL OF IRELAND BOARD MEMBERS AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2003 The Board of Directors of the Crafts Council of Ireland is made up of 5 Ministerial nominees and 10 elected members.

The warrant of appointment issued by the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Employment lasts for 3 years, exactly the same term as the craft representatives elected at the AGM by member organisations.

MINISTERIAL NOMINEES

ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES

Martin Walsh

David Shaw-Smith,

Chairman Cathy Honan,

Emmet Kane, JP Donnelly

Giles O'Neill,

(re-appointed on 17/06/2003),

Jean Byrne,

Gerry Macken

Frances Ruane (resigned 01/03/2003),

(re-appointed on 17/06/2003),

Laura O'Hagan, Linda Scott, Peter Pollock, Loretta O'Brien, Anne Montgomery (appointed on 17/06/2003),

Mike Weerakoon (appointed on 17/06/2003),

Gilly Carey (appointed on 17/06/2003).

FOUNDING MEMBERS Patsy Duignan, Mary Mullin, Blanaid Reddin, Betty Searson

– 11 –

CRAFTS COUNCIL OF IRELAND ANNUAL REPORT 2003

CRAFTS COUNCIL OF IRELAND ANNUAL REPORT 2003

List of Member Organisations....................

Crafts Council of Ireland Membership list as at 31 december 2003 Association of City & County Enterprise Boards Cavan-Monaghan Art & Craft Network Clare Ass. of Artists & Craftspeople Clare Craft and Design Clewbay Craft & Design Group Comeragh Crafts Group Contemporary Tapestry Artists Conway Street Community Cork Textiles Network Country Markets Limited County Down Crafts Craft Potters Society of Ireland Crann Crawford College of Art and Design Crawford Municipal Art Gallery Dept Enterprise, Trade and Employment Embroidery Artists

Irish Knitwear Exporters’ Guild (IKEG) Irish Patchwork Society Irish Woodturners Guild Kilkenny Crafts Guild Leitrim Design House Limerick College of Art and Design National College of Art and Design Network of Craft Development Officers North Dublin Craftspeople Norhern Ireland Patchwork Guild Peannairí Quilters Guild of Ireland Royal Dublin Society Sculptors Society of Ireland Society of Cork Potters South East Regional Craft Centre Spiddal Craft Centre

Enterprise Ireland

St. Catherine’s College of Home Economics

Fire Station Artists Studios

Tallaght Community Arts Centre

Fusion - Limerick

Tower Design Guild

Garage Studios

TÚS – Galway Association of Artists & Craftspeople

Guild of Irish Lacemakers Handweavers Guild of Cork Homethrown Institute of Designers In Ireland Irish Artist Blacksmiths Association Irish Basketmakers Association Irish Countrywomen’s Association Irish Guild of Embroiderers Irish Guild of Weavers, Spinners & Dyers

Tyrone Guthrie Centre at Annaghmakkerrig University of Ulster Weaving Works West Cork Arts Centre West Cork Craft & Design Guild West Kerry Crafts Guild Wexcraftnet Ltd Wexford Craftspeople Association

– 12 –

CRAFTS COUNCIL OF IRELAND ANNUAL REPORT 2003

CRAFTS COUNCIL OF IRELAND ANNUAL REPORT 2003

List of Staff

List of Service Contractors

AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2003

AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2003

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Jane Huston,

Leslie Reed

Jewellery Trainer

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT

Gus Mableson,

Emer Ferran,

Pottery Trainer

Business Development Manager

Vincent O’Shea,

Mary Whelan,

Exhibitions Manager

Business Development Co-ordinator

Gavin Lynch,

COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT

Web Manager

Nicola Whelan,

Fintan Blake Kelly,

Communications Manager

IT Systems Manager

Caroline O’Riordan,

Janice Stevenson,

Communications Officer

CARDmarket Project Manager

Mary O’Shea & Emma Briscoe,

Hilary Morley,

Communications Assistant (Job-sharing)

Contemporary Functional Ceramics MARKET AND PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT Catherine Jordan,

DEPARTMENT

Showcase & Christmas Presence

Cornelia McCarthy, Programme Manager

Joanna Quinn, Christmas Presence

Helen Lynch, Development Officer

Danae Kindness, Design for Industry

ADMINISTRATION DEPARTMENT Nuala McGrath, Administration Officer Amanda Fenelon, Administration Assistant Breda Butler, Communications Assistant FINANCE DEPARTMENT Mary Blanchfield, Finance Officer Julie Jackman, Accounts Assistant

– 13 –

CRAFTS COUNCIL OF IRELAND ANNUAL REPORT 2003

CRAFTS COUNCIL OF IRELAND ANNUAL REPORT 2003

Breakdown of Register of Craft Enterprise by County

Antrim

AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2003

Derry 15

Donegal 43

Tyrone 20 Down Armagh 85 Fermanagh 8 14 Sligo Leitrim Monaghan 22 23 Cavan 17 Louth Mayo 13 31 Roscommon 29 18 Longford Meath 4 20 Westmeath 14 Dublin Galway 241 Offaly 89 Kildare 25 27 Laois Wicklow 15 61 Clare 42 Limerick 20 Kerry 59

Cork 158

Armagh

8

Carlow

16

Cavan

13

Clare

42

Cork

158

Derry

15

Donegal

43

Down

85

Dublin

241

Fermanagh Antrim 38

Carlow 16 TipperaryKilkenny Wexford 67 34 35 Waterford 35

– 14 –

38

14

Galway

89

Kerry

59

Kildare

27

Kilkenny

67

Laois

15

Leitrim

23

Limerick

20

Longford

4

Louth

31

Mayo

29

Meath

20

Monaghan

17

Offaly

25

Roscommon

18

Sligo

22

Tipperary

34

Tyrone

20

Waterford

35

Westmeath

14

Wexford

35

Wicklow

61

England

2

Norway

1

Scotland

1

Wales

1

Total

1343

CRAFTS COUNCIL OF IRELAND ANNUAL REPORT 2003

two

“”

Reports

16

Chairman’s Report

18

Chief Executive Officer’s Report

– 15 –

CRAFTS COUNCIL OF IRELAND ANNUAL REPORT 2003

Chairman’s Report.........................................................

By definition, annual reports are reflective, but in 2003 the Council had cause for even greater retrospection as its Strategic Plan for 2000-2003 came to a close. This Annual Report, while honouring the necessary obligations to report on 2003, also reflects on the performance of the Strategic Plan as it comes to an end.

The plan was conceived in 1999 following10 years of unprecedented growth in business numbers and turnover in the craft industry and was launched in 2000, a year which broke all records for craft sales. While it was a plan conceived in expansionary times, it also had the capacity to deal with more difficult economic conditions. This was to prove necessary given the impact of the 9/11 tragedy and the Foot and Mouth Disease outbreak on Irish tourism which even two years later has not regained the visitor numbers seen in 2000.

In addition, the broader timescale of the Strategic Plan puts some of the outcomes in 2003 into context. For example, craft orders at Showcase, the Council’s international trade fair,

“ design and product development

improved by only 3% in 2003, but when we compare aggregated sales for the 1996-1999 period with the period of the Strategic Plan, 2000-2003, we find that there was a 48% increase from €26.6 to €39.3 million, an increase going well beyond inflation levels.

This form of comparison does not imply that the Plan rather than the industry itself drove the substantial increase in sales, but does suggest that it made a critical contribution to them. In research completed while drafting the Plan in 1999, it was found that the craft industry placed a relatively low emphasis on design and new product development. In similar research conducted in 2003, design and product development is now the main development target for the industry. This is a reflection of the fact that while good and badly designed crafts have equal freight costs, only well designed craft will ship to a high value added market.

Thus, the major policy goal put in place to deliver the Council’s strategy, was to enhance the role of design in a successful industry. Not just design in the abstract but design for markets and the specific commercial opportunities identified in them. The response and

– 16 –

is now the main development target for the industry

”

CRAFTS COUNCIL OF IRELAND ANNUAL REPORT 2003

participation level from the industry to projects and services aimed at improving design capacity increased during the course of the plan, culminating in 2003’s figures – (See Beneficiaries Table page 51).

The most positive aspect of the industry’s general acceptance of the primacy of design in successful marketing, is that a substantial foundation has now been laid for future development. There are many threats to Irish craft: unsettled trading conditions, low cost imports, increased insurance costs to name the most pressing, but the ongoing commitment to design in craft manufacture will always be amongst the most robust responses to them.

2003 was a lynchpin year, giving the Council an opportunity to review the outcomes of its existing plan, but also looking forward to the future. The second half of the year was an intense period of review and policy making at all levels in the Council leading to the development of the Strategic Plan of 2004-2006, and I would like to thank the members of the Council’s Board who have been so generous with their time and expertise in 2003 at the many meetings which its drafting required.

Martin Walsh Chairman

“The second half of the year was an intense period of

review and policy making at all levels in the Council leading to the development of the

Strategic Plan of 2004-2006”

– 17 –

CRAFTS COUNCIL OF IRELAND ANNUAL REPORT 2003

Chief Executive Officer’s Report..............................................

In reviewing 2003 at operational level, one of the most important measures we can judge the success of Council activity by, is the participation levels in the various development services, schemes and projects offered. Over 1,000 owners of craft micro-enterprises took advantage of the Council’s development programme this year, with representation from every county in the island of Ireland.

Over 400 alone took part in product and marketing initiatives, the highest participation level since such initiatives were launched by CCoI in 1998. Such a level of commitment shows why craft companies increased their orders at Showcase by the 3% referred to by the Chairman in his introduction. This increase brought the value of craft orders alone taken at the four day trade event to €8.24 million (2002, €7.9 million). It seems a modest enough recovery but its real significance is shown when we note that sales from other manufacturing sectors at Showcase fell for the third year running.

While both encouraging and enabling the industry to invest in design and product development to create growth in sales, the Council continued to respond to the consumer’s need for guidance on what ‘quality’ means in craft, both in terms of manufacture and design. In 2003, the Exhibition Programme was a focal point for the makers of innovative craft, a persuasive visual argument for increased media coverage of craft which brought exciting exhibitions to the attention of nearly a quarter of a million consumers both at home and abroad. In four days alone this year, 13,000 visitors to our National Craft Gallery saw "3+3", a promotion of the ceramics of three Irish and three British potters. Showing what the best international craft products look like, so that the quality of Irish work can be measured against the best of its competitors, is an important feature of the exhibition programme.

The issue of quality in craft goods is always a concern for the Council, based on the conviction that quality in design and manufacture is essential to construct long-term commercial success, and to defy any economic trend which threatens the industry’s attempt to achieve it. Quality Accreditation (QA) can play an important part in the industry’s marketing. As a form of ‘branding’, independent QA can intensify and validate the interest of the consumer and the trade buyer. It is also an area which has challenged the Council to deliver on its operational objectives. While the New Product Awards at Showcase have shown that craft companies can easily compete on the design platform

– 18 –

CRAFTS COUNCIL OF IRELAND ANNUAL REPORT 2003

with their factory based competitors and given these winning companies significant marketing advantage with buyers, other Council attempts to award craft companies has been far less successful.

The CCoI Excellence Awards, which were to be launched in 2003 were set aside in the face of low interest, and the difficulties of similar "Booker Prize" style craft award schemes to generate industry support and media interest. Therefore, QA initiatives remain a challenge to be met in the Council’s new Strategic Plan.

Lack of success in QA initiatives was more than counter-balanced in 2003 by the success of Photoscheme, a modest budget project (€30,000) which was funded 70% by CCoI and 30% by the craft industry. Photoscheme is based on a deceptively simple objective, increasing the amount of professionally photographed product and staged shots of Irish craft but, like the Exhibition Programme, it has increased media coverage of craft creating over 4,400 pages of coverage over the year. Lifestyle magazines and newspaper supplement have an insatiable and ongoing demand to fill monthly editions with beautiful objects and interesting stories, and Photoscheme and craftspeople provide them with both.

Looking back on 2003 as the final year of the Strategic Plan launched in 2000, Council managers and staff can be well satisfied with the majority of outcomes this year but we also look forward to building on success and dealing with outstanding challenges in a new planning period – fully realising that complacence is no more an option for the support agency than it is for the industry it promotes.

Leslie Reed Chief Executive Officer

“complacence

support agency than it is for the industry it promotes. is no more an option for the

”

– 19 –

CRAFTS COUNCIL OF IRELAND ANNUAL REPORT 2003

three

; Programme Summaries

21 22 23 24 25 28 29 29 30 32 34 35 36 Communications

Information

Statistical Research

IT Development

Product and Market Development

Business Development

Business Training

Business and Design Mentoring

Full Time Pottery and Jewellery Skills Courses

Exhibitions

E-Business Initiative – hands on

Showcase

Christmas Presence

– 20 –

CRAFTS COUNCIL OF IRELAND ANNUAL REPORT 2003

CRAFTS COUNCIL OF IRELAND ANNUAL REPORT 2003

Communications...................................................

The Communications and Information functions work hand in hand to deliver the appropriate message to the right combinations of people within the correct timeframes.

Both programmes are based on the premise of two-way communication – not only getting the Crafts Council’s message out, but more importantly listening to the needs and requirements of key audiences and stakeholders – and tailoring activity accordingly.

Public relations is thus a key activity and a wide variety of in-house campaigns – local, national and international - were undertaken to increase the profile of craftspeople, the craft sector and the Crafts Council of Ireland. This resulted in almost a doubling of the level of coverage achieved in 2002 – with over 4,460 recorded articles / pieces from national and local publications alone. Relationships were strengthened with key industry media – and a wide variety of media requests were handled.

Building on the stock of digital images of craft held on Image Bank (available to view on www.ccoi.ie/imagebank) enabled CCoI to offer a wider variety of top quality photographs to a broader number of journalists. Image Bank currently holds over 1,000 images under licence.

These images - generated primarily through the very popular Subsidised Photography Scheme and also through project and exhibition shoots - ensured that more images of Irish craft were used by the media than ever before with over 100 image requests handled and approximately 400 cd’s of images distributed.

Presentations on both the work of the Crafts Council and on Irish craft to international groups, agencies and influencers is another key communications role. During 2003 8 presentations were made to groups from Wales, Italy, Korea, the US and Canada.

In addition a series of presentations were made to similar Irish based groups, and also to the main colleges with craft-related courses.

“Both programmes are based on the premise of

two-way communication – not only getting Crafts Council’s message out, but more importantly listening to the

needs and requirements of key audiences and stakeholders – and tailoring activity accordingly

– 21 –

”

CRAFTS COUNCIL OF IRELAND ANNUAL REPORT 2003

CRAFTS COUNCIL OF IRELAND ANNUAL REPORT 2003

Information.............................................................

The Information Programme continues to provide a variety of key services and activities including the production of the CCoI newsletter (Stopress), the publication and distribution of a wide variety of industry specific publications, the production of CCoI information sheets and the management of CCoI databases, the most important of which is the CCoI Register of Craft Enterprise.

During 2003; ■

A complete clean-up of the Register of Craft Enterprise was undertaken, providing more detailed and accurate information on the sector

■

Over 1,345 craftspeople were registered with the Crafts Council of Ireland

by December 2003

■

155 newly registered enterprises took part in the Insurance Scheme

■

42 craftspeople took part in the CCoI Photography Scheme – generating 172 new images for Image Bank

■

20,000 copies of Stopress were distributed

■

3 new publications were developed and produced (the Craft Short Courses Guide, Doing Business at Showcase and the Annual Report) as well as several statistical reports and summaries

■

All new and several recent publications were published in downloadable format on-line at www.ccoi.ie/publications

■

Over 40,000 CCoI publications were distributed

■

Over 3,600 information sheets were distributed

■

Over 780 information requests were handled

In addition, the content and layout of Stopress were reviewed and a plan of improvement implemented which saw greater use of colour and images, more relevant articles, new sections (entitled ‘News & Reviews’ and ‘Opportunities’) and the very popular ‘Dates for your Diary’ – listing all key deadlines, event dates etc. for the craft sector. Feedback from craftspeople has been very positive.

Further improvements for 2004 were also planned including reducing the number of issues to 6 per year and introducing commissioned ‘Feature’ articles on key topics in the Spring and Autumn issues.

– 22 –

CRAFTS COUNCIL OF IRELAND ANNUAL REPORT 2003

CRAFTS COUNCIL OF IRELAND ANNUAL REPORT 2003

Statistical Research...........................................................................

Accurate statistical research

During 2003 the following

is the essence of informed

reports were commissioned,

decision – and as such

produced

continues to be an integral

appropriate, distributed:

part of the planning process

■

and,

where

Craft Industry Report

both for CCoI and for the

2003 (OCS) –

craft industry at large.

full report and summary

The

main

aim

the

Statistical

of

specific

range

■

data

and

(Wilton Research) ■

■

Hands on Programme Review

build on the statistical research already conducted.

Network Best Practice Report

information, relevant to key CCoI audiences and to

Showcase Village 2003 Survey

of

independent and reliable statistics,

Showcase 2003 Survey (Wilton Research)

Research

Programme is to produce a

■

■

Review of Strategic Plan 2000 - 2003

These reports enable CCoI to provide accurate and consistent

data

and

statistics to craftspeople, the media, funding bodies and industry influencers.

They are also an essential part of the CCoI planning process

– 23 –

CRAFTS COUNCIL OF IRELAND ANNUAL REPORT 2003

CRAFTS COUNCIL OF IRELAND ANNUAL REPORT 2003

“ The overall effect has been greatly

increased usage of the site hit rates increasing to 140,000 per month from 35,000 per month in 2002.

”

IT Development.....................................................

2003 was a year of consolidation for the IT systems – with a focus on optimising the existing systems, providing training and support and upgrading where necessary.

The Crafts Council web site was also re-developed in-house and re-launched in January 2003 – offering greater navigability, flexibility and control.

During 2003 content, layout and services were improved – with publications (including Stopress) available on-line, downloadable application forms, greater search capacities and much more. The overall effect has been greatly increased usage of the site – with hit rates increasing to 140,000 per month from 35,000 per month in 2002. A continual process of development for the site has been established with regular reviews and phased planning.

– 24 –

CRAFTS COUNCIL OF IRELAND ANNUAL REPORT 2003

CRAFTS COUNCIL OF IRELAND ANNUAL REPORT 2003

Product and Market Development.........................................

Exposure to key people and key events was the hallmark of product development and market development activities during 2003.

CCoI ran research missions to a variety of trade fairs in Europe and the USA. Participating craftspeople got to; see the event, look at the trends and hear from an expert or veteran exhibitor. In addition, many missions included a detailed itinerary of craft and design activities and meetings with leading store-owners. For example, during the research mission to Philadelphia, a number of craftspeople were introduced to various galleries and are now supplying them.

Exposure to events also took place without craftspeople having to step on a plane. At the CCoI’s successful series of ‘Doing Business’ seminars, fair organizers and craft experts from overseas advised on maximizing potential and exhibiting at foreign events. ‘Doing Business in the USA’ and ‘Doing Business in Europe’ took the form of a morning of seminars from leading event organisers, followed by small workshops on individual opportunities such as showing at retail events in London, or how to get into the lucrative Celtic market in the USA. The aim of both the research missions and the seminars is to bring real opportunities to craftspeople so they are informed about these opportunities prior to investing time and resources in these potential new markets.

The CCoI ran a number of product development incentive projects, enabling craftspeople to expand their businesses - often through adding additional streams of income to their core business.

The ‘Made For America’ Celtic design award and the ‘Meet the Celtic Buyer’ event in Kilkenny received huge interest from craftspeople wishing to develop this market. Winners and runners up of the award took part in the Celtic Market Trade Fair in Chicago.

– 25 –

“The aim of both the research missions and the seminars is to

real opportunities bring

to craftspeople so they are informed about these opportunities prior to investing time and resources in these

potential new markets.

”

‘Contemporary Functional Ceramics’, consists of 7 ceramicists working together with selected experts in the international ceramics field on developing new products – their longterm goal being to present an exhibition in 2004. Each member has also been pursuing joint and individual goals in developing new techniques and skills through this flexible programme.

A similar participant-centred approach has been taken with those in the ‘Design for Industry’ programme, where 6 craft enterprises have been developing specific areas of their design and production skills towards greater capacity for manufacture. A key event in the calendar was a very inspiring seminar from the Dutch YD+I (‘Young Designers in Industry’), a successful model of match-making designers with industry.

– 26 –

CRAFTS COUNCIL OF IRELAND ANNUAL REPORT 2003

CRAFTS COUNCIL OF IRELAND ANNUAL REPORT 2003

The ‘CARDmarket’ project takes a joint marketing approach. The 24 participants, jointly funded by Invest NI, have access to major opportunities in which they sell design work to publishers and other clients such as Amnesty International who commissioned 60 new designs from participants. ‘CARDmarket’ also exhibits at trade shows such as Showcase, Dublin and Spring Fair, Birmingham annually.

The Product Development ‘Lite’ project looked at a pick-and-mix approach to this daunting area for many craftspeople. Aimed at craftspeople in disciplines suited to the home and accessories markets, the programme held 6 well-attended events. These included trend days with experts in the field, followed by specialist clinics and topped off with a professionally-styled photoshoot.

The ‘Tabletop’ project was comprised of a group of 10 craftspeople who worked on new ranges, which were launched at Showcase 2003 and subsequently went on to exhibit at the National Craft Gallery in Kilkenny. In receipt of very substantial press coverage the group decided to stay together and continue to jointly develop ranges through this ongoing CCoI project.

The Market and Product Development office moved at the end of the year, from the D’Arcy McGee Grainstore in Carlingford to the Chamber of Commerce building in Dundalk.

“ The CCoI ran a number of product development incentive projects, enabling craftspeople to expand their businesses often through adding additional

streams of income

”

to their core business.

– 27 –

CRAFTS COUNCIL OF IRELAND ANNUAL REPORT 2003

CRAFTS COUNCIL OF IRELAND ANNUAL REPORT 2003

Business Development....................................

The Network Support Scheme programme enables groups of craftspeople to carry out marketing and development projects by applying to CCoI for partial funding.

This initiative has been successfully running for three years and is open to all Craft Guilds, Associations and Networks. The standard of application during 2003 was very high and CCoI is keen to continue to build on this programme’s success in the coming year.

The successful applications for 2003 were: ■

Glass Society of Ireland – Contemporary Makers (€24,580)

■

East Cork Creates (€2,370)

■

Tus Craft Network (€5,793)

■

Irish Basketmakers Association (€4,390)

■

Textile Innovations (€460)

■

Irish Artist Blacksmiths’ Association (€2,590)

■

Marlay Craft Network (€7,575)

■

Create Irish Furniture Network (€12,154.57)

■

Irish Furniture Designers‘ Network (€16,000)

Total €75,912.57

– 28 –

CRAFTS COUNCIL OF IRELAND ANNUAL REPORT 2003

CRAFTS COUNCIL OF IRELAND ANNUAL REPORT 2003

Business Training...............................................................................

CCoI launched its new modular Business Training programme in September 2002.

This programme has built on the success of the Business Skills Programme, which was initiated in 1995.

In 2003 West Cork Leader commissioned a very successful programme. Participants included 12 craft businesses from the Kinsale, Bandon and Schull areas. The programme included modules on Business Planning, Costing & Pricing, Exploring & Developing Successful Design, Marketing & Sales and Customer Service.

Business and Design Mentoring.............................................

During 2003, CCoI continued this very successful initiative, which saw its third year in operation. It acts in response to the high levels of requests for business advice. The service directly addresses the individual business needs of craft enterprises by bringing advice to their own area. The Council varies the locations each year to enable the maximum number of craftspeople to attend. This year clinics were held in Ennis, Athlone and Dublin.

Display clinics are another extremely important aspect of CCoI mentoring. They concentrate on maximising sales through excellence in display, promotional activity, point of sale material and sales techniques. During 2003 clinics were held in Cork, Athlone and Dublin.

Innovation in Design and Business clinics were piloted in Dublin in October and proved so popular that CCoI will be offering them on a national basis for 2004.

Individual advice clinics were conducted around the country for 75 craft businesses. In addition the Business Development team provided an ongoing telephone business support system from the Kilkenny office.

– 29 –

“ It acts in response to the high levels of requests for

business advice

”

CRAFTS COUNCIL OF IRELAND ANNUAL REPORT 2003

CRAFTS COUNCIL OF IRELAND ANNUAL REPORT 2003

Full Time Pottery and Jewellery Skills Courses..................................

CCoI presently undertakes skills training in the areas of Jewellery and Pottery.

Pottery Skills Programme 2003 was a dynamic year for the pottery training programme. It saw the completion of the first year of the Advanced Design course. (Design is becoming increasingly important for added value in the market place, which is reflected in the increased focus on design in both the pottery and jewellery programmes).

Three participants took part in the Advanced Design course and all three graduated successfully along side the eight one-year Pottery Skills course students.

– 30 –

CRAFTS COUNCIL OF IRELAND ANNUAL REPORT 2003

CRAFTS COUNCIL OF IRELAND ANNUAL REPORT 2003

Short Courses Programme Short courses and seminars designed to meet the needs of the pottery and jewellery sectors, took place at both training facilities and are important for the growth and development of both sectors.

The Craft Pottery’s Society conference took place from 12 – 14 September – coinciding with a wonderful ceramics exhibition entitled “3 Plus 3” which was on display at the National Craft Gallery. Makers from the exhibition played a significant role in this stimulating conference.

During

the

year

there

were

many

The Jewellery Skills Programme

workshops run for the jewellery industry.

11 participants successfully graduated

The

from the jewellery skills programme in

reached trade bench workers from all over

2003. All are now working in the trade –

Ireland with professional workshops in

two traveled for additional experience to

Gemstone Setting (two levels), Casting &

Scotland, one to Holland and one to

Mould Making, Engraving, Gemmology

Germany. One graduate returned to NCAD

and a three-day Beginners course which

to complete his degree and the remainder

played host to craftspeople from other

found positions in Ireland.

disciplines wishing to expand their skills

The graduate in Germany has been offered

and creative interests.

a job with a very prestigious company – which is a testament to the quality of his training

as

experiencing

the

German

difficult

trade

times.

is The

programme has a surplus of job offers with employers specifying that they want the highest skill level.

A new two year programme started in September and the 12 trainees are due to graduate in 2005.

– 31 –

Jewellery

Weekend

programme

“The programme has a surplus of job offers with employers specifying that they want the

highest skill level.

”

CRAFTS COUNCIL OF IRELAND ANNUAL REPORT 2003

CRAFTS COUNCIL OF IRELAND ANNUAL REPORT 2003

Exhibitions................................................................

2003 was the fourth operational year for

“all major craft disciplines were displayed textiles, ceramics, wood, glass, baskets, jewellery, woodturning – spreading

the CCoI Exhibition Programme. It also marked the third year that the National Craft Gallery (NCG) in Kilkenny was open to the public – and provided the main public focus for the programme.

The major milestones in the year included hosting ten exhibitions in the NCG, and two exhibitions, “Of Colour in Craft” and

benefits and promotion

“Baskets”, touring to five regional venues.

to the widest possible spectrum of makers.

Society of Ireland, CCoI supported the

”

Working in conjunction with the Glass

largest and most important international glass seminar for many years and, at the same time, hosted a related exhibition of the best Irish and international glass at the NCG. The gallery was also represented in an exhibition promotion at the National Craft Fair of Ireland at the RDS, allowing a large Dublin audience access to a selection of NCG exhibitions.

In 2003, over 13,000 visitors saw one exhibition in one week alone. “3 Plus 3” was a promotion of work by three Irish and three British potters, launched at the NCG during Kilkenny’s Arts Festival. It highlighted that, at its best, Ireland could be as creative and exciting as one of Europe’s leaders in ceramics.

– 32 –

CRAFTS COUNCIL OF IRELAND ANNUAL REPORT 2003

CRAFTS COUNCIL OF IRELAND ANNUAL REPORT 2003

This ethos is a key part of the policy behind the programme for all areas of production,

“all major

and in 2003, all major craft disciplines

craft disciplines were displayed textiles, ceramics, wood, glass, baskets, jewellery, woodturning – spreading

benefits and promotion to the widest possible spectrum of makers.

”

were displayed - textiles, ceramics, wood, glass, baskets, jewellery, woodturning – spreading benefits and promotion to the widest possible spectrum of makers.

This was the year in which CCoI also collaborated with the Ulster Museum in the development of its “Gold” exhibition, which reviewed Irish jewellery from prehistory to today - and it was seen by 166,000 visitors.

The NCG also agreed a joint purchase programme with the National Museum which

will

enable

the

best

of

contemporary Irish craft production to be better represented in its collections.

Collaboration and policy alignment with cultural bodies such as these have been a very welcome part of the year’s successes.

– 33 –

– 33 –

CRAFTS COUNCIL OF IRELAND ANNUAL REPORT 2003

CRAFTS COUNCIL OF IRELAND ANNUAL REPORT 2003

e-Business Initiative – ‘hands on’..........

“All participants reported

measurable benefits to their business as a result of ‘hands on’.

”

In 2003 the ‘hands on’ e-business project was completed. In its final year 8 new sites and 5 hands on integrated sites were in the process of completion, creating 45 sites in total since the initiative was launched.

A further 70 craft micro-enterprises took part in the 2003 seminar programme which highlighted best practice in using the Internet as part of a co-ordinated marketing campaign. 52 individual mentoring sessions were also completed where advice was offered which was tailored to each company’s specific marketing needs and product profile. To further highlight best online marketing practice in the craft industry, 8 case studies of hands on participants were completed. These will be launched on the CCoI website early in 2004.

Since its inception, the ‘hands on’ project always advocated the co-ordination of digital marketing with more traditional methods such as trade and consumer events. Such an integrated approach was necessary to bring the best out of the new technology which could never provide the ‘magic bullet’ for all marketing needs.

An independent survey was commissioned on this ground breaking project which confirmed high levels of satisfaction amongst the benefiting participants but, most importantly, confirmed they continued to maintain and update their websites regularly. In addition all participants reported measurable benefits to their business as a result of ‘hands on’. Consequently, in order to make further use of the highly regarded ‘hands on’ web software, it will be offered on free licence to County/City Enterprise Boards and to Leader groups where its application will promote more effective Internet access for their local client craft companies.

“it will be offered on free licence to County/City Enterprise Boards and to Leader groups where its application will promote more effective Internet access for their local client craft companies.

– 34 –

”

CRAFTS COUNCIL OF IRELAND ANNUAL REPORT 2003

CRAFTS COUNCIL OF IRELAND ANNUAL REPORT 2003

Showcase..................................................................................................

The 27th Showcase Ireland

which €8.24 million (24%)

International Trade Fair took

was generated by CCoI

place in January 2003 – with

registered

over 7,000 core trade buyers

companies. While figures for

and 650 exhibitors. Over

overall

200 of the exhibitors were

were slightly down on the

craft companies registered

2001 and 2002 totals – a

with CCoI.

trend

The show, which takes place

related

in the RDS, Dublin every

global economic situation –

year, is owned by CCoI and

the figure of €8.24 million

run in conjunction with

shows a small recovery in

Showcase Ireland Events Ltd.

craft sales of 3% over 2002

Enterprise Ireland play a key

(at €7.9 million).

role in marketing the show

Despite the slowdown, 90%

abroad,

attracting

of exhibitors said that they

international buyers from all

had opened at least one new

over the world. Earnings

account and may reflect a

from Showcase contribute

change in buying patterns in

over €200,000 to the CCoI

Showcase,

annual budget which is

from long term customers

directly

on

established

to

Showcase

and

re-invested

development

services

craft

micro-

Showcase

which to

orders

is

directly

the

current

where

at

orders

previous

fairs

are

craftspeople.

completed later in the year.

The fair was started by the

Both buyers and exhibitors

Crafts Council of Ireland in

are looking for the ‘new’,

1977, when 34 trade stands

the former in terms of

made £50,000 in orders. In

buyers and the latter in

2003 Showcase generated

terms of suppliers.

€34.5 million in sales, of

– 35 –

CRAFTS COUNCIL OF IRELAND ANNUAL REPORT 2003

CRAFTS COUNCIL OF IRELAND ANNUAL REPORT 2003

Christmas Presence.................

During 2003 CCoI was again

Anecdotal feedback from

invited by the private sector

some Christmas Presence

owners of the National Craft

exhibitors

Fair of Ireland to launch

sales were very variable,

a special promotional event

and that while some had

there. The National Craft

sold significantly more than

Fair takes place annually

in

at the RDS, in December and

extremely disappointed that

is

targets had not been met.

the

industry’s

largest

consumer fair.

the invitation was to confirm that CCoI could develop Christmas Presence as a group of stands selected for the quality of their product, and as a specially branded and strongly promoted area that added value to the event for all National Craft

Participants exhibiting in the Christmas Presence section were selected by a panel of international jurors not just for the quality of their craft but

may

others

reflect

that

were

the

overall performance of the event. However, a detailed independent survey by the Belfast

based

Blueprint

consultancy will contribute key data on sales at the craft fair and this will influence how the Crafts Council will develop craft promotion at the event if invited to take part in future.

Fair exhibitors.

products

2002,

This

The purpose of accepting

indicated

for

their

suitability to the market the event offered.

– 36 –

The Christmas Presence area also hosted an exhibition of the best work seen in shows launched at the National Craft Gallery over the year and was very well received by visiting consumers.

CRAFTS COUNCIL OF IRELAND ANNUAL REPORT 2003

four

!

Measures of Success

37

Beneficiaries 2003

– 37 –

CRAFTS COUNCIL OF IRELAND ANNUAL REPORT 2003

The tables following give a detailed breakdown of the numbers of CCoI registered participants who took part in CCoI projects and activities during 2003, by county and by gender.

Further review and qualitative analysis of activity in 2003 has been conducted and published in the Strategic Plan 2004 – 2006, (as part of the 3 year review of the previous Strategic Plan).

The Strategic Plan 2004 – 2006 is available from Crafts Council of Ireland office in Kilkenny, or can be downloaded free by logging onto www.ccoi.ie/publications.

“In reviewing 2003 at operational level, one of the most important measures we can judge the success of Council activity is by the

participation levels in the various development services, schemes and projects offered.

”

– 38 –

CRAFTS COUNCIL OF IRELAND ANNUAL CRAFTS COUNCIL REPORT 2003 OF IRELAND ANNUAL REPORT 2003

Crafts Council of Ireland – Client Participation by County in 2003.....................................

Project Best Buys at Showcase

Project Cardmarket

MALE

Contemporary

Project Craft Design Industry Laison FEMALE

Functional Ceramics

MALE

FEMALE

MALE

Made for America & Meet Celtic Buyer

FEMALE

FEMALE

MALE

Product Development Lite

FEMALE

MALE

4 x Seminars Doing Business in US, EU, Cardmarket Xposed FEMALE

MALE

Trade Missions + Fact Sessions

MALE

FEMALE

Total

F&M

FEMALE MALE

FEMALE

Carlow

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

Cavan

0

1

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

2

0

0

3

Clare

1

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

1

0

0

0

0

0

2

1

0

0

5

Cork

3

1

0

1

0

0

1

1

2

0

1

0

1

0

4

0

1

0

16

Donegal

1

1

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

1

0

1

0

1

2

0

0

7

Dublin

16

7

9

2

1

2

0

1

6

1

8

2

24

0

34

12

15

13

153

Galway

2

4

2

0

0

0

0

0

3

2

0

0

0

0

6

5

0

0

24

Kerry

1

3

0

0

0

0

0

0

1

0

0

0

1

1

1

1

0

0

9

Kildare

0

2

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

1

2

0

3

1

3

2

1

0

15

Kilkenny

3

3

0

0

1

0

0

1

2

0

0

0

2

1

3

1

3

2

22

Laois

1

1

1

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

1

0

2

2

0

1

9

Leitrim

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

1

1

0

0

1

0

3

0

2

0

8

Limerick

0

1

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

1

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

2

Longford

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

Louth

4

2

1

0

2

0

0

0

0

1

2

3

2

1

4

1

3

3

29

Mayo

1

0

0

0

0

0

0

1

0

0

0

0

0

0

3

0

2

0

7

Meath

1

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

1

0

0

0

0

0

3

0

0

0

5

Monaghan

1

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

1

0

0

2

Offaly

2

1

0

0

0

0

1

0

0

0

0

0

1

0

3

1

0

1

10

Roscommon

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

Sligo

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

2

0

0

0

0

1

0

0

0

3

Tipperary

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

1

0

0

0

3

0

2

0

0

0

6

Waterford

0

0

1

0

0

0

0

0

1

1

0

0

0

0

1

1

0

0

5

Westmeath

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

1

0

0

0

0

0

1

2

0

0

4

Wexford

1

2

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

2

5

1

1

2

1

1

16

Wicklow

1

3

0

0

0

0

0

1

1

2

0

0

2

2

8

3

1

1

25

TOTAL RoI

39

32

14

3

4

2

2

5

21

11

15

7

47

7

86

39

29

22

385

Antrim

4

0

1

1

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

1

0

4

0

1

0

12

Armagh

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

1

2

1

0

0

4

Derry

1

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

1

Down

1

3

2

0

0

0

0

0

0

2

0

0

2

0

6

2

1

1

20

Fermanagh

0

1

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

1

0

1

0

0

0

0

0

3

Tyrone

1

0

1

0

0

0

0

0

2

1

0

0

0

0

4

3

0

1

13

TOTAL NI

7

4

4

1

0

0

0

0

2

3

1

0

4

1

16

6

2

2

53

– 39 –

MALE

Tabletop Year 1 & 2 Wedding

CRAFTS COUNCIL OF IRELAND ANNUAL REPORT 2003

Crafts Council of Ireland – Client Services.......................................................................................

Insurance Schemes (Public and Product Liability)

Photo Scheme

MALE

Insurance Schemes (Personal and Accident) FEMALE

MALE

Publications

Total

FEMALE

F&M

FEMALE MALE

FEMALE

Carlow

0

0

0

1

0

0

4

0

Cavan

0

0

0

0

0

0

3

1

4

Clare

1

0

1

5

0

1

12

5

25

Cork

2

0

10

3

0

1

24

15

55

Donegal

0

0

2

5

0

0

7

6

20

Dublin

11

2

22

23

1

0

23

12

94

Galway

3

0

4

7

0

0

7

11

32

Kerry

2

1

5

4

0

0

10

5

27

Kildare

1

1

2

0

0

0

4

0

8

Kilkenny

4

0

4

7

0

1

5

7

28

Laois

1

1

1

1

0

1

1

1

7

Leitrim

2

0

2

2

0

0

2

0

8

Limerick

0

0

1

1

0

0

2

3

7

Longford

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

Louth

2

1

2

3

0

0

4

3

15

Mayo

0

0

1

3

0

0

4

4

12

Meath

0

0

1

3

0

0

5

2

11

Monaghan

0

0

0

0

0

0

2

5

7

Offaly

1

0

0

2

0

0

6

3

12

Roscommon

0

0

0

2

0

0

4

2

8

Sligo

1

0

2

1

0

0

2

2

8

Tipperary

0

2

0

1

0

0

4

3

10

Waterford

0

0

1

3

1

0

3

3

11

Westmeath

0

0

0

0

0

0

2

2

4

Wexford

2

1

3

1

0

1

7

3

18

Wicklow

2

0

0

1

0

0

8

6

17

TOTAL RoI

35

9

64

79

2

5

155

104

453

Antrim

1

0

1

2

0

0

1

0

5

Armagh

0

1

1

0

0

0

0

0

2

Derry

0

0

0

0

0

0

1

0

1

Down

1

0

1

2

0

0

2

1

7

Fermanagh

1

0

1

0

0

0

2

0

4

Tyrone

0

0

0

2

0

0

1

0

3

TOTAL NI

3

1

4

6

0

0

7

1

22

– 40 –

MALE

5

CRAFTS COUNCIL OF IRELAND ANNUAL REPORT 2003

Crafts Council of Ireland – Network and Mentoring Scheme.............

Project or Scheme Support

Facilitation and Mentoring

FEMALE

MALE

Total

F&M

FEMALE MALE

FEMALE

Carlow

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

Cavan

0

1

0

2

1

1

5

Clare

0

1

3

1

1

0

6

Cork

5

3

11

6

6

3

34

Donegal

2

1

2

3

2

0

10

Dublin

34

15

83

39

11

5

187

Galway

3

5

5

5

4

4

26

Kerry

1

3

5

2

2

3

16

Kildare

3

1

7

2

0

3

16

Kilkenny

5

4

4

3

2

1

19

Laois

2

0

3

2

0

1

8

Leitrim

0

0

3

0

0

0

3

Limerick

1

1

0

0

3

2

7

Longford

0

0

0

2

0

0

2

Louth

9

4

9

2

0

1

25

Mayo

1

1

3

0

1

0

6

Meath

1

0

3

0

0

1

5

Monaghan

1

0

0

1

0

0

2

Offaly

3

1

4

1

1

2

12

Roscommon

0

0

0

0

1

0

1

Sligo

0

0

1

0

2

2

5

Tipperary

0

0

4

1

1

0

6

Waterford

1

0

1

2

0

0

4

Westmeath

1

0

10

5

0

2

18

Wexford

1

4

7

2

3

1

18

Wicklow

0

4

7

9

2

1

23

TOTAL RoI

74

49

90

43

33

464

Antrim

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

Armagh

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

Derry

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

Down

1

1

0

0

0

0

2

Fermanagh

3

0

0

0

0

0

3

Tyrone

0

1

0

0

0

0

1

TOTAL NI

4

2

0

0

0

0

6

175

MALE

Showcase Subsidy

– 41 –

CRAFTS COUNCIL OF IRELAND ANNUAL REPORT 2003

five

%

Finance

43 45 47 The Directors’ Report

Auditors Comments

Accounts

– 42 –

CRAFTS COUNCIL OF IRELAND ANNUAL REPORT 2003

CRAFTS COUNCIL OF IRELAND ANNUAL REPORT 2003

Director’s Report.................................................................................

The directors present their report together with audited financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2003.

DIRECTORS' RESPONSIBILITIES FOR FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Irish company law requires the directors to prepare financial statements for each financial year that give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the company and of the profit or loss of the company for that period. In preparing the financial statements, the directors are required to:■

select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;

■

make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;

■

prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the company will continue in business.

The directors are responsible for keeping proper books of account which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the company and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting standards generally accepted in Ireland and comply with Irish statute comprising the Companies Acts, 1963 to 1983 and 1990 to 2001. The directors are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

Legislation in Ireland governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.

The maintenance and integrity of the Crafts Council of Ireland web site is the responsibility

“The principal activities of the Crafts Council of Ireland is the development of the Irish craft industry through programmes in marketing, exhibition, information services and training, which promote the highest standards of excellence in

design and marketing

of the directors.

throughout the

BOOKS OF ACCOUNT

sector.

The measures taken by the directors to secure compliance with the company’s obligation to keep proper books of account are the use of appropriate systems and procedures and employment of competent persons. The books of account are kept at Castle Yard, Kilkenny.

– 43 –

”

CRAFTS COUNCIL OF IRELAND ANNUAL REPORT 2003

CRAFTS COUNCIL OF IRELAND ANNUAL REPORT 2003

DIRECTORS The names of the persons who were directors at any time during the year ended 31 December 2003 are set out below. Except where indicated, they served for the entire year.

M Walsh (Chairperson), F Ruane (resigned 01 March 2003), G Carey, D Shaw-Smith, E Kane, J P Donnelly, G Macken, C Honan, L Scott, G O'Neill, L O'Hagan, J Byrne, A Montgomery, L O'Brien, P Pollock PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES AND FUTURE DEVELOPMENT The principal activities of the Crafts Council of Ireland is the development of the Irish craft industry through programmes in marketing, exhibition, information services and training, which promote the highest standards of excellence in design and marketing throughout the sector.

HEALTH AND SAFETY It is the policy of the company to ensure the health and welfare of its employees by maintaining a safe place and system of work. This policy, which is set out in the safety statement required by the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, 1989, was fulfilled during the year.

PROMPT PAYMENT OF ACCOUNTS ACT Section 12 of the Prompt Payment of Accounts Act 1997 requires a statement of payment practice. Crafts Council of Ireland’s payment practice is to pay suppliers within the prescribed payment date as defined by S.I. No. 388 of 2002 (late payment in commercial transactions).

AUDITORS The auditors, PricewaterhouseCoopers, will be re-appointed in accordance with section 160(2) of the Companies Act, 1963.

On behalf of the board M Walsh G Macken

– 44 –

CRAFTS COUNCIL OF IRELAND ANNUAL REPORT 2003

CRAFTS COUNCIL OF IRELAND ANNUAL REPORT 2003

Auditor’s Report.................................................................................

Independent auditors' report to the members of Crafts Council of Ireland Limited (Limited by Guarantee) We have audited the financial statements which comprise the profit and loss account, the balance sheet, the cashflow statement, the statement of total recognised gains and losses, and the related notes.

RESPECTIVE RESPONSIBILITIES OF DIRECTORS AND AUDITORS The directors' responsibilities for preparing the directors' report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable Irish law and accounting standards generally accepted in Ireland are set out in the statement of directors' responsibilities.

Our responsibility is to audit the financial statements in accordance with relevant legal and regulatory requirements and auditing standards issued by the Auditing Practices Board applicable in Ireland. This report, including the opinion, has been prepared for and only for the company's members as a body in accordance with section 193 of the Companies Act 1990 and for no other purpose. We do not, in giving this opinion, accept or assume responsibility for any other purpose or to any other person to whom this report is shown or into whose hands it may come save where expressly agreed by our prior consent in writing.

We report to you our opinion as to whether the financial statements give a true and fair view and are properly prepared in accordance with Irish statute comprising the Companies Acts, 1963 to 1983 and 1990 to 2001. We state whether we have obtained all the information and explanations we consider necessary for the purposes of our audit and whether the financial statements are in agreement with the books of account. We also report to you our opinion as to: ■

whether the company has kept proper books of account;

■

whether the directors’ report is consistent with the financial statements.

We also report to you if, in our opinion, information specified by law regarding directors’ remuneration and transactions is not disclosed.

– 45 –

CRAFTS COUNCIL OF IRELAND ANNUAL REPORT 2003

CRAFTS COUNCIL OF IRELAND ANNUAL REPORT 2003

We read the other information contained in the annual report and consider the implications for our report if we become aware of any apparent misstatements or material inconsistencies with the financial statements. The other information comprises the Chairman's Report, the Chief Executive Officer's Report, the Programme Summaries, a breakdown of the key Crafts Council of Ireland's programmes and the Directors' Report.

BASIS OF AUDIT OPINION We conducted our audit in accordance with auditing standards issued by the Auditing Practices Board. An audit includes examination, on a test basis, of evidence relevant to the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. It also includes an assessment of the significant estimates and judgements made by the directors in the preparation of the financial statements, and of whether the accounting policies are appropriate to the company's circumstances, consistently applied and adequately disclosed.

We planned and performed our audit so as to obtain all the information and explanations which we considered necessary in order to provide us with sufficient evidence to give reasonable assurance that the financial statements are free from material misstatement, whether caused by fraud or other irregularity or error. In forming our opinion we also evaluated the overall adequacy of the presentation of information in the financial statements.

OPINION In our opinion the financial statements give a true and fair view of the state of the company's affairs at 31 December 2003 and of its surplus and cashflows for the year then ended and have been properly prepared in accordance with the Companies Acts, 1963 to 1983 and 1990 to 2001.

We have obtained all the information and explanations we consider necessary for the purposes of our audit. In our opinion proper books of account have been kept by the company. The financial statements are in agreement with the books of account.

In our opinion the information given in the directors' report is consistent with the financial statements.

PricewaterhouseCoopers Chartered Accountants and Registered Auditors, 20 Patrick Street, Kilkenny 16 April 2004

– 46 –

CRAFTS COUNCIL OF IRELAND ANNUAL REPORT 2003

CRAFTS COUNCIL OF IRELAND ANNUAL REPORT 2003

Balance Sheet 31 DECEMBER 2003 2003

2002

Notes

-

-

Tangible assets

5

78,119

88,532

Investments

6

1

1

78,120

88,533

664,256

693,460

643,520

520,851

1,307,776

1,214,311

(1,057,358)

(1,004,138)

NET CURRENT ASSETS

250,418

210,173

TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES

328,538

298,706

328,538

298,706

FIXED ASSETS

CURRENT ASSETS Debtors

7

Cash at bank and in hand

CREDITORS - amounts falling due within one year

8

REPRESENTED BY Revenue surplus

On behalf of the board

– 47 –

– 47 –

CRAFTS COUNCIL OF IRELAND ANNUAL REPORT 2003

CRAFTS COUNCIL OF IRELAND ANNUAL REPORT 2003

Cash Flow Statement 31 DECEMBER 2003 2003

2002

Notes

-

-

9

164,121

(195,577)

Returns on investment and servicing of finance

10

-

-

Taxation

10

352

-

Capital expenditure and financial investment

10

(40,448)

(49,716)

BEFORE USE OF LIQUID RESOURCES AND FINANCING

124,025

(245,293)

(1,356)

(4,000)

122,669

(249,293)

NET CASH INFLOW / (OUTFLOW) FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

CASH INFLOW / (OUTFLOW)

Financing

INCREASE / (DECREASE) IN CASH

– 48 –

11

– 48 –

CRAFTS COUNCIL OF IRELAND ANNUAL REPORT 2003

Detailed Income and Expenditure Account 31 DECEMBER 2003 2003

2002

2,213,742

2,564,701

262,044 14,943 1,968 5,716 2,123 5,325 7,900 56,867 15,801 9,600 15,000 65

167,288 25,429 5,639 1,983 9,396 3,633 5,211 96,128 12,520 38,330 25,000 2,053

2,611,094

2,957,311

544,005 70,008 214,825 164,298 153,825 258,528 49,353 134,599 151,811 294,859 10,091 28,654 63,086 25,515 174,870 134,146 94,352 13,616 -

511,904 12,680 76,366 239,201 154,636 147,173 12,735 240,896 50,790 130,000 60,959 138,802 151,823 295,784 10,092 87,967 61,145 23,956 294,495 213,288 27,475 19,480 6,177

2,580,441

2,967,824

30,653

(10,513)

INCOME Enterprise Ireland

OTHER INCOME Showcase trade fair income Short courses and consultancy Sundry revenue Council member subscriptions Publication sales Pottery shop Rental income Craft industry contributions National craft fair income Invest Northern Ireland Enterprise Board programme Bank interest earned

EXPENDITURE Administration Promotion expenses Craft development and information services Craft product and business development course Pottery skills course Jewellery skills course Short courses and consultancy Training administration Grant assistance to Designyard Blacksmith skills course PR initiative IT development Regional networks Regional exhibition programme Development co-operatives - Northern Ireland Quality accreditation Statistical research Mentoring courses E Business development Craft design liaison with industry National crafts fair Enterprise Board programme Bad debt provision

Net surplus/(deficit) for year

– 49 –

CRAFTS COUNCIL OF IRELAND ANNUAL REPORT 2003

six

?

Services and Activities

50

List of All Services and Activities in Table Format.

– 50 –

CRAFTS COUNCIL OF IRELAND ANNUAL REPORT 2003

CRAFTS COUNCIL OF IRELAND ANNUAL REPORT 2003

List of Services and Activities...................................................

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

MARKET AND PRODUCT

Business Mentoring

DEVELOPMENT

Business Skills Training

Design Development:

Craft Fair Support

Contemporary Functional Ceramics Research into craft/design industry liaison

Network Support: Project support

Market Development (Ireland):

Start-up Support

‘Meet the Buyer’ Workshops Promotions to buyers - Showcase

CLIENT SERVICES Image bank Information Services

Market Development (Overseas): Preparation and participation at international events and trade shows

Insurance Scheme

Promotion to press and buyers at events

Photography Scheme

Research into new opportunities

Registration

Research missions to events

www.ccoi.ie EVENTS CCoI Christmas Presence at the National Craft Fair

Product Development: CARDmarket Sector promotion (and International Marketing)

Retail Fair – December

Clinics with experts

Showcase Ireland

Made for America Award

International Trade Fair – January

Sector promotion (and International Marketing)

EXHIBITIONS

Photoshoots

National Craft Gallery Exhibitions

Tabletop

CCoI Exhibitions and National and

Sector promotion (and Exhibition)

International visiting exhibitions

Trend Forecast Seminars

Regional Exhibitions

Wedding

CCoI Touring exhibitions

Sector promotion

– 51 –

CRAFTS COUNCIL OF IRELAND ANNUAL REPORT 2003

CRAFTS COUNCIL OF IRELAND ANNUAL REPORT 2003

PUBLICATIONS

Successful Craft Entrepeneurship –

Business Information Guide

Start Up

CCoI Annual Reports

Successful Craft Entrepeneurship –

CCoI Strategic Plans Doing Business At Showcase Internet Training Publications: ■

Craftperson’s guide to the internet –

Developing Business Many publications are available to download free at www.ccoi.ie/publications

beginners guide to the internet ■

■

■

How the internet work for me –

SKILLS TRAINING

28 case studies from Irish Craftspeople

Graduate Exhibition

Irish Craft on the Internet –

Jewellery Skills Training:

who buys Irish craft on line, when

Fulltime Course

and why?

Short Courses

Marketing and selling online –

Pottery Skills Training:

the craftspersons guide

Fulltime Course

Irish Craft Industry Report summary

Short Courses

Making An Exhibition for Yourself National Craft Gallery

NOTE

Programmes/Catalogues

CCoI Services and Activities will be

Retail Guide

evolving and expanding as new objectives

Short Course Guide

within the Strategic Plan 2004 – 2006

Showcase Catalogue

are addressed.

Showcase Statistics Stopress CCoI newsletter – 6 issues per year

– 52 –

– 52 –

CRAFTS COUNCIL OF IRELAND ANNUAL REPORT 2003

THE CRAFTS COUNCIL OF IRELAND IS SUPPORTED BY

– 53 –