The Crafts Council of Ireland (CCoI) National Craft Gallery (NCG) Programming Policy takes its direction from the CCoI Strategic Objectives:

CCoI Strategic Objectives 2013 - 2015

• Developing the market for Irish craft
• Developing the knowledge and skills of craft makers
• Raising awareness, understanding and appreciation of Irish craft
• Supporting membership organisations in the development of the crafts sector
• Developing the innovation, enterprise and design capability of the crafts sector

About the National Craft Gallery:
Established by the Crafts Council of Ireland in December 2000, the National Craft Gallery is Ireland’s leading centre for contemporary craft and design. It plays a critical role in building understanding of material culture and of craft as a vehicle for economic growth. It exhibits Irish and international designers, artists and makers who push boundaries in their engagement with the making process. It inspires appreciation, creativity and innovation through its exhibition and education programmes, reaching an audience of over 120,000 annually.

The aims of the National Craft Gallery:
To be an integrated and important element of the CCoI strategy
To develop the understanding and appreciation of craft as a vehicle for enterprise, innovation, creativity and cultural identity
To contribute to the ongoing reputational development of Irish craft and its critical and commercial success
To develop the National Craft Gallery as a critically-recognised authority on contemporary material culture
To create opportunities for the public to meaningfully engage with craft in a way that develops audiences and changes mindsets

How do we define quality?
A clear definition of quality is essential to underpin the CCoI’s selection procedures. The understanding of ‘quality’ can appear subjective, unless clearly defined; by ‘quality’ we mean a high measure of excellence, in the following three areas:

idea or concept behind the work
practice - the physical execution and impact of the work
development - the contribution the work makes to the development of the maker, the discipline or wider cultural understanding.

Excellence will be relative to the specific arena that a maker’s work aspires to, and will be articulated and measured against best practice in a transparent manner by the consensus of suitably qualified authorities in that arena. By ‘suitably qualified’, we mean individuals whose professional practice clearly and unarguably demonstratesspecific expertise in academic, curatorial and/or making of craft at a level appropriate to the area being judged.
 
National Craft Gallery management:   
The National Craft Gallery Manager and Curator is responsible for devising the strategic direction of the gallery’s exhibition, touring, and marketing programmes;developing awareness, access and footfall; and day to day management of the venue and programme
The National Craft Gallery budget is proposed by National Craft Gallery Manager and Curator and agreed by the CCoI executive and board.
The strategic aims of the exhibition programme are agreed at a top level every three years in line with the CCoI strategy. The annual objectives are set each year on a rolling basis after evaluation of previous years exhibition performances versus objectives.
The annual National Craft Gallery exhibition programme is developed by the National Craft Gallery Programme Committee led by the National Craft Gallery Manager and Curator and comprised of suitably qualified internal and external people
The National Craft Gallery Education and Outreach Programme is managed by the Education and Innovation Manager and implemented by the Education and Outreach Officer.

National Craft Gallery activities:
The National Craft Gallery’s three main areas of activity comprise the Exhibition Programme, the Touring Programme and the Education and Outreach Programme.
The National Craft Gallery Manager and Curator also manages the External Exhibition Fund.

For more information on the aims and implementation of all four strands, please read the PDF document in full   - available to download here.