THE north's craft industry must fully embrace the latest technology if the sector is to grow and develop, umbrella body Craft NI's chief executive Alan Kane says.
In the run-up to next month's annual celebration of craft, the Creative Industries Innovation Fund has approved a new 'Innovation Boost Programme' aimed at developing the careers of 10 craft-makers who have been business for five years or more.
The programme - designers have until September to apply - will look at a range of areas such as using new technology to drive innovation, developing new products or ranges and learning how to access export or on-line markets.
This is one of a number of projects identified by Craft NI as part of a three-year strategy to grow the sector by improving business skills and developing the home and export markets.
Craft NI's mission is to build an integrated, entrepreneurial and vibrant contemporary crafts sector in Northern Ireland, contributing to creative, cultural and economic life.
Craft is an important component of the creative industries sector, which employs 11,640 people and contributes £245 million a year to the northern economy.
Indeed industries under the NI Craft umbrella account for 16 per cent (1,862) of this work force and contribute £39 million gross value-added.
Mr Kane said: "The focus is on innovation. We want to encourage makers to look at the process of innovation, not just of products but of every aspect of the business including time management and finances, social media and e-commerce.
"A maker can have a very successful product, but if you can develop the way it is made to reduce the time element or material costs it can have a dramatic effect on the bottom line."
Since the Coleraine-based businessman took over the reins at Craft NI in September 2012, he's been looking at ways of making the north's craft sector more competitive by developing the entrepreneurial skills of its practitioners.
Craft NI has since joined the World Craft Council's European section which will provide the sector with extra funding opportunities, while Mr Kane recently attended a World Craft Council assembly in Norway where he met representatives from all the other European counties involved.
"We're looking at working together as a consortium under the umbrella of the World Craft Council to source funding on a range of projects including the exchange of skills, access to export markets and innovation," he said.
Craft NI is core funded by the Arts Council with extra funding from Invest NI but the organisation is determined to generate funds from other sources to finance a range of specific projects to showcase the talents of Northern Ireland's makers.
Mr Kane added: "One of our aims is to develop pilot projects. For example, we received funds from the Creative Industries Innovation Fund to send 10 makers to the annual showcase event in Dublin in January. That was very successful. The makers took £13,000 worth of orders and developed useful contacts with buyers and galleries.
"The craft sector has to help itself. All we can do is put projects together that we feel are beneficial and if we can feature the successes, we can persuade other people to do it themselves or tap into other sources of funds that might be available," he added.
Designer-makers wishing to apply for a place on the new Innovation Boost Programme must complete the application form and return it to Craft NI no later than noon on September 1. Forms are available from www.craftni.org.