RDS NATIONAL CRAFTS COMPETITION
The Call for Entries for this year’s RDS National Crafts Competition has been announced. Regarded as one of the largest competitive platforms for Craft in Europe, the RDS brings an international panel of judges to Ireland to adjudicate its 20 category Crafts Competition. Open to craft makers and designers living in Ireland or Irish makers abroad, the Competition attracts the very best in amateur and professional crafts practices. With a prize fund in excess of €27,000 in RDS prizes and awards, the highest accolade is the RDS Award of Excellence of €7,000 and the California Gold Medal.
The Competition is renowned for celebrating excellence in traditional craftsmanship as well as encouraging innovative design and creativity through a wide range of Craft processes. Both established and emerging makers can compete for awards such as the RDS Award of Excellence, the RDS Graduate and New Entrant’s Prize. This year, the Competition includes two new award initiatives; a one month residency at the Leatherwork Design Studio of Róisín Gartland at the Design Tower, Dublin; and a one month internship award to work with furniture maker Charles Shackleton of Shackleton Thomas Furniture in Vermont, USA.
The prize-winning and commended entries of the 2012 RDS National Crafts Competition will be on display in the RDS Concert Hall during the Dublin Horse Show from August 15-19 (entry fee applies). The RDS National Crafts Competition and RDS Student Art Awards Travelling Exhibition will visit regional venues around Ireland after the Dublin Horse Show concludes. All information is available on the website www.rds.ie/crafts. The RDS National Crafts Competition is supported by the Crafts Council of Ireland. Since its inception in 1731, the RDS Foundation Arts programme has continued to promote excellence in the Arts, to further the professional development of musicians, artists and craftspeople and to support developmental projects in the arts.
Important dates for the Competition:
Deadline stage one: May 8 at 5.00pm
Deadline stage two: June 20 & 21 (delivery of entries)
Collection of unsuccessful entries: July 9 & 10
Competition Prize-giving: August 8
Exhibition opens during the Dublin Horse Show: August 15-19 *(entry fee applies)
RDS National Crafts Competition Prizewinners’ Travelling Exhibition: September to November.
For more information see www.rds.ie/crafts
