Introduction
Whether you are dabbling in craftivism for the first time or are a seasoned craftivist, this craftivism manifesto/methodology handbook is designed to help you think deeply about your practice.
Beginning with a manifesto that sets out the ethos of craftivism, this handbook goes on to define craftivism and provide a set of considerations, strategies and tools designed to help readers develop greater reflexivity and confidence in their practice.
This handbook was created as part of Tal Fitzpatrick’s practice-led PhD research into craftivism as a mode of DIY citizenship. It was first made publicly available in at Tal’s PhD exhibition ‘Craftivism HQ’ which was held between the 7-10 March 2018 at KINGS Artist Run gallery in Melbourne, Australia. This publication is the second edition of this craftivism manifesto/ methodology.
Contents
- We The Craftivists: A Manifesto
- If You’re Not Angry, You’re Not Paying Attention
- Defining Craftivism
- The History Of Craft/Activism
- Craft And Feminism
- Change Starts With One
- Craftivism As A Mode Of Diy Citizenship
- Political Intention
- Scale And Scalability
- Start By Listening
- Moving From Discussion To Action
- Value Add
- Take Your Time
- Play
- Get Queer, Get Intersectional
- Dissensus
- Collaborate / Co-Create
- Material Matters
- The Power Of The Gift
- Social Media
- Craftivist As Facilitator
- Making Is Connecting
- Share Your Platform With Others
- Appropriation
- Measuring Impact
- Bibliography
Download Full Resource
Download the Manifesto from the author’s website.
About Author
“Tal Fitzpatrick is an Israeli born artist, craftivist, feminist, researcher and community development worker based in Melbourne, Australia. Tal received a Bachelor of Arts degree with first class honours from Griffith University (2006-2010) and went on to undertake a practice-led PhD with the Centre for Cultural Partnerships at the Victorian College of the Arts, University of Melbourne (2014-2018). Her PhD research was supported by the Australian Graduate Research Training Program Scholarship.
Driven by the power of craft to solicit the sharing of stories, Tal’s work looks to drive social change by engaging diverse groups of people in complex conversations. Her practice-led PhD project ‘Craftivism as DIY Citizenship: The Practice of Making Change’ explores the political efficacy of using craft as a strategy for activism and advocacy. In addition to this Tal is a published author and has extensive experience working in the non-profit sector and in community disaster resilience building.” – Source
More Craftivist Books
How To Be A Craftivist: The Art of Gentle Protest, Sarah Corbett
How to Be a Craftivist is a manifesto for quiet activism: how to tackle issues not with shouting and aggression but with gentle protest, using the process of ‘making’ to engage thoughtfully in the issues we are about, to influence and effect change.
- Purchase the book
- Publisher’s website
- Craftivist Collective
- Sarah Corbett talks about Craftivism: video
Craftivism: The Art of Craft and Activism, Betsy Greer (ed.)
Through examples that range from community embroidery projects, stitching in prisons, revolutionary ceramics, AIDS activism, yarn bombing, and crafts that facilitate personal growth, Craftivism provides imaginative examples of how crafters can be creative and altruistic at the same time.
Explore Further
A Better World is Paintable: How to make banners, stencils, street murals, parachute banners, and more!
Tools, skills, and resources from 350.org to build capacity to run effective campaigns and movements to tackle the climate crisis.- How Artistic Activism can move us Toward a Better Future
A new book called “The Art of Activism” provides a deep dive on the process, principles, history and practice of artistic activism. - Creative activism: Hologram protest
The practicalities and possibilities of using holograms to challenge and subvert anti-protest laws are explored in this case study from Spain. - Creative Activism: Start Here
Suggestions from the Commons Librarians about resources to explore in the Arts & Creativity topic area – to help you bring more art and heart to your social change activities.