This session aims to create an awareness of three local women from Hertfordshire and their organisations who are engaging socially with marginalised groups and communities by offering specialist creative workshops and projects. The session will be delivered with interview portraits of, and comparisons between, these women, talking about and representing their different organisations. In particular, interviews will focus on how these organisations are funded and how they offer crafts people employment, presented alongside alternative ways they support marginalised groups through their work.

Interview questions target the notion of motivation, which Antje believes is about more than just earning an income. Talking specifically about the different marginalised groups and their needs; she will be asking specific questions about the transparency of funding and more generally about how to get funding in an economy of grant-writing in the Arts. The conversations will address inclusivity and benefit received by participants.

Students who are delivering practical workshops and volunteering to support these organisations will also be interviewed about their wish to progress their respective craft careers within the field of social engagement. These interviews will address how economic sustainability can be achieved through giving support to marginalised groups whilst at the same time providing career opportunities for craftspeople.

Antje Illner is Programme Leader of the BA (Hons) Design Crafts Jewellery, Textiles and Ceramics & Glass course at the University of Hertfordshire and a Jewellery tutor at the Royal College of Art. She has worked as a tutor within the Applied Arts since 1995. Through her participatory work, Antje aims to increase social mobility and to prepare students who want to make a living in the creative industry.