OSW (Off the Streets into Work):
Crafty Folk project 06/07

The Crafty Folk project was set up in 2006 by users of the Crisis Skylight day
centre. Their intention was to setup and sell their work at Spitalfields Market,
having been awarded a grant by OSW (Off the Streets into Work). The grant was
part of a wider ESF funding initiative to create training programmes assisting
individuals back into work. The project mentor Shiraz Bayjoo spent several
months consulting the group on the type of training and development they
needed.

The following workshops were delivered over a 24 week period:

1) Subject to Object workshops
A foundation course taught 3 mornings a week in the Crisis Skylight studios.
Approaching formal methods of making, with an entry level module of art
history.

2) Market Stall Employability Training
The main objective of the project was to setup a successful social enterprise,
with the artists selling their work. Working with a full time arts technician, the
group learnt to frame and mount their work, whilst on the market stall. A
market stall manager was brought in to teach selling and presentation skills,
whilst leading the group on PR exercises, and innovations on how to
advertise the stall.

3) Artsadmin Artist’s talk Programme
Artsadmin was commissioned to deliver a series of Artists talk, and critiques
on the members work. This also included workshops at Tate Modern, as well
as advise and guidance on portfolio development.