CRAFT SCHOOL: YINKA'S CHALLENGE
Love always wins, Yinka Ilori, Harrow Council, 2020. Image courtesy ofAndy Stagg
The Crafts Council believe that every child and young person has the right to explore their own creativity through making. Making with their hands helps young people to develop problem-solving and communication skills alongside practical skills of creating, mending, and repairing. Craft de-stresses, empowers, and contributes to wellbeing and happiness. In partnership with Yinka Ilori, The Craft School challenge is a nationwide competition to get primary and secondary school students to submit a craft project on one of three themes: play, storytelling, and empowerment.
The challenge has been set by Crafts Council trustee and multidisciplinary artist Yinka Ilori and will run from September 2022 to March 2023. It will encourage and nurture craft thinking and making and provide a moment to celebrate the brilliant craft creativity of a younger generation.
Homewares by Yinka Ilori. Image courtesy of Andy Stagg
Craft School: Yinka's Challenge is a free programme for education provisions and learners from KS1 to KS4. Learners can participate individually or as collaborative groups.
From September 2022 to March 2023 participating schools will create against a brief designed and set by Yinka centring on play, storytelling, and empowerment. To support teachers and learners through the challenge the Crafts Council has developed digital resources, engaging video content and further specialist CPD sessions.
Image: Playland, Yinka Ilori, Pinterest for Cannes Film Festival, 2019
In spring 2023 the challenge will culminate in a prize-giving event at the Crafts Council Gallery in London. Winners from each key stage will be selected by an expert panel from the craft world. The panel will include experts from NSEAD, AccessArt and our Learning and Business Skills supporter Cox London.
Find out more about Craft School: Yinka's Challenge and how to apply on the Crafts Council website.