An association of Cornwall's finest craft makers

Membership is open to craftspeople living in Cornwall.

CCA is committed to the promotion of excellence in contemporary craft and is keen to attract makers who set the highest standards for themselves and have achieved a high degree of skill with an imaginative and sympathetic approach to materials.

Full Membership is open to makers who have achieved the high standards set by the CCA and who meet all the criteria.

Benefits

• the prestige of being part of an association that has been promoting the best craft in Cornwall for over 30 years
• opportunity to sell work in CCA’s retail gallery outlets with 130,000 visitors a year
• entitled to submit work to CCA’s programme of members and themed exhibitions
• opportunity to participate in a member led association of craft people
• professional development through workshops, mentoring, and training programmes
• promotion of work through CCA website
• professional opportunities in education programme
• inclusion in the CCA makers index

Criteria

Membership is open to makers working in any craft. As a general rule, fine art paintings, reproduction work and scale models, and photography, however well crafted, are not accepted.

Work submitted must meet CCA standards and will be assessed using the following criteria.

1. Knowledge of materials

The maker should demonstrate in depth knowledge and sensitivity to the material they work with.

2. Skill in technique

The maker should demonstrate a high level of skill in the techniques used.

3. Quality of work

The work must be resolved and consistently executed to a high standard.

4. Originality of work

The work must demonstrate creativity. It must be clearly identified as individual to the maker and not derivative of another.

5. Suitability

The panel must feel that the work clearly fits within the remit of CCA and can effectively be represented through the organization.

Process

Full Membership

Applications must be submitted on the forms provided and include a C.V. (no longer than 2 sides of A4) and up to 8 images of their work, these can be on disc, prints or slides. Images must be clearly labeled with the maker's name and title of work. Slides must be clearly marked with Top and Right Side.

Applications must be received by the dates specified in the letter. Your images will be put forward for a photograph selection; if you are successful you will be contacted by the membership secretary to arrange for you to bring work for the committee to consider.

In this event you will be asked to submit 3 to 8 pieces of work. These should be representative of your current work and if appropriate include at least one major piece. All reasonable precautions are taken by Cornwall Crafts to ensure work is protected from loss or damage during the selection process, but work is NOT insured by Cornwall Crafts and makers are advised to organize appropriate insurance for their work during the selection process.

Submission

Makers applying for Full membership should send their application forms with images and a cheque for £10 to:  The Membership Secretary, Cornwall Crafts, Trelowarren, Mawgan in Meneage, Helston, TR12 6AF Tel: 01326 221567

Stage two applicants will be advised of the date for selection of work.

Responsibilities

If selected as members of CCA makers have the following responsibilities:

• To ensure that all work submitted for inclusion in exhibitions or the shop are of a high standard
• To attend the AGM and be willing to serve on a committee if appropriate
• To maintain parity in price between work sold through CCA and that sold privately or in other galleries
• To make work available for exhibitions and shop
• To promote the CCA whenever possible by including the CCA logo on any self publicity and displaying CCA publicity where possible
• Provide images of work with the understanding that they will be used by CCA for promotional and publicity purposes
• Willingness to act as a mentor to a new member

Subscriptions

Full membership cost £100

Applicants who are selected for full membership will be asked to pay the above subscription before their membership begins. Failure to do so within 3 months of selection will invalidate the selection but will not preclude a future application.

Subscriptions are for a year’s membership renewable in the first month of every year except for those paid by any member accepted after September; the subscription will then also cover the following year’s subscription.

CCA charge 40% commission plus vat on sales from its exhibitions and retail outlets.

Student Membership Cost £20

An opportunity for students of applied arts to participate in educational activities and networking, but not entitled to exhibit. This is open to all undergraduate and postgraduate students of applied arts in Cornwall. The selection process does not apply to this category and no application fee will be charged but applicants will be asked for details of their course.

Application forms should be returned to:
Elinor Lamond, Trelowarren, Mawgan-in-Meneage, Helston TR12 6AF Tel: 01326 221567

Application deadlines for 2011:
Monday 11th July 2011
Monday 26th Sept 2011

Application Forms

Please download the relevant application form:

How to Join CCA
New Members Application Form
Selection Dates 2011