Ards Crafts was established in 1996 by Ards Borough Council as a showcase retail craft and design centre for local traditional and contemporary craft. Its bright and contemporary interior provides the perfect platform for a rich array of craft, ranging from creative ceramics and decorative pottery to stylish woodturning, textiles, jewellery, mixed media and glass. Customers can avail of a wedding list and gift wrapping service.

Craft Development Services

'As the Craft Development function of Ards Borough Council, Ards Crafts has developed key strategic alliances to significantly raise the profile of Craft throughout the region and Northern Ireland. Craft is one of the Creative Industries sectors which is growing strongly and we will continue to support creativity in as many ways as possible' - Heather Parker, Craft Development Manager for Ards Borough Council.

Partnerships

Craft NI making it Programme

Ards Borough Council has completed its two year CraftNI's two year making it partnership with jewellery designer Lotus de Wit. Lotus, will however, as the culmination of her placement, be taking part in the EU Leonardo Project 'Sustainable Craft Networks' and will accompany Ards Borough Council representatives to Finland in February of this year.

Leonardo da Vinci Sustainable Craft Networks Project

'Ards Borough Council is participating in a two year project with four European countries; Ireland, Finland, Spain and Italy to investigate how craft businesses and the networks and organisations which represent them can become more innovative and sustainable'. One visit has already been made to Louth CraftMark in November 2009 and the next visit will be to Finland in February 2010.

Project Updates and Information

www.sustainablecraftnetworks.ning.com

'The Sustainable Craft Network Partners'

Training & Development

Visual Artists Ireland

If you are a visual artist and meet membership criteria, then take advantage of joining this all Ireland network and avail of many important upcoming training and development opportunities for your practice. Follow the link in the 'Links section' at the bottom of this page.

Creative Choices

Creative Choices is the first online service to provide the tools, knowledge and networks to support every individual and business to get in, and get on, in the creative industries and cultural sector.

Follow the link below to take a look at this very informative site which covers all regions of the UK, or sign up to their monthly newsletter for regular updates on career development opportunities.

The Cultural Leadership Programme and Creative Choices are also offering a social networking tool for creatives, available through this site. Click on 'Networks' to get started!

Craft Itineraries

Enjoy a self-guided journey to Craft studios and public artwork in the Ards Borough area. To embark on either Journey 1 or Journey 2,download your copy or pick up a guide from Ards Crafts, Ards Tourist Information Centre or Portaferry Tourist Information and Visitor Centre. You can also download the brochures in PDF format below.

Quest for creative journey
Quest for creative journey 2

Other Support Services & Useful Links

Ards Crafts provides Business Support Signposting, access to training and networking opportunities. Useful information can also be found on the following links :

www.craftni.org

www.craftnidirectory.org

www.creative-choices.co.uk

www.ardsart.com

www.craftanddesigncollective.com

www.artscouncil-ni.org

www.ccoi.ie

www.visualartists.ie

www.sustainablecraftnetworks.ning.com

How can you contact us?

Ards Crafts is situated within the Ards Tourist Information Centre (beside the bus station) at the following address :

Ards Crafts
31 Regent Street
Newtownards
BT23 4AD

If you have any comments or suggestions about the services offered by Ards Crafts or would like to know more about our work, please do not hesitate to contact us either in person, in writing, by telephone, email or fax.

Tel 028 9182 6846
Fax 028 9182 6681

ards.crafts@ards-council.gov.uk

Our opening times are :

Mon. - Fri. 9.15am - 5.00pm
Sat. 9.15am - 5.00pm

Ards Crafts has been awarded the Charter Mark for excellence in customer service.