Consultant: Young Craft Citizens 10-Year Anniversary Producer

FREELANCE BRIEF - Young Craft Citizens 10-Year Anniversary Producer

Crafts Council seeks to engage a Freelance Producer to design and deliver a series of moments to celebrate ten years of the Young Craft Citizens programme in May 2027.

Context

Young Craft Citizens (YCC) is the Crafts Council’s national participation programme, co-designed with young people aged 16–30 who are interested in craft and making. Established in 2017, YCC supports young people to build skills, confidence and understanding of the creative sector, with a particular focus on those affected by racism, classism, ableism and their intersections.

Through peer networks, sector engagement, paid opportunities and co-created programmes, YCC creates pathways into creative learning and careers. 2027 marks the programme’s ten-year anniversary. This milestone provides an opportunity to celebrate the impact of YCC, showcase the breadth of the network across the UK, celebrate the contribution of young people in every nation and region, and engage a new generation of young people through nationally relevant activity and partnerships.

We are seeking an experienced consultant or producer to plan and deliver a programme of activity for May 2027 that is co-created with YCC members, supports recruitment, and builds meaningful engagement across the UK. The programme should culminate in a high-profile, in-person celebration in the Crafts Council gallery, alongside national and digital engagement activity.

About the Brief

The approach should be collaborative, ambitious and youth-led. The consultant should create opportunities for YCC members to shape content, contribute ideas and play visible roles within the programme.

The work should balance celebration with forward-looking ambition—highlighting the impact of the programme to date while generating energy, visibility and engagement for its future.

The consultant will work closely with the Learning and Participation team and wider Crafts Council colleagues throughout.

The consultant will design and deliver a cohesive anniversary programme that:

• Celebrates and showcases the YCC network and its impact over ten years
• Demonstrates the national reach and impact of YCC, ensuring young people from across the UK can see themselves reflected in the programme.
• Engages current members and reconnects alumni
• Creates new entry points for potential participants
• Builds visibility and recognition of YCC within the craft and wider creative sectors
• Positions young people as active contributors to the future of craft
• The work should ensure that YCC members are actively involved in shaping and contributing to the programme.

Objectives

Activity will include:

• Design and facilitate a co-creation process with YCC members and stakeholders
• Develop the concept, structure and format for the anniversary programme
• Plan a programme of events and activity for May 2027, including a flagship gallery event
• Develop a programme that combines a flagship London celebration with meaningful opportunities for participation, visibility and engagement across the UK.
• Work with the Crafts Council team to ensure alignment with communications, partnerships and recruitment goals
• Engage YCC members as collaborators, contributors or co-producers
• Identify and support contributors, speakers or facilitators where appropriate
• Ensure the programme is inclusive, accessible and representative of the diversity of the YCC network
• Develop a practical delivery plan, including timeline, roles and resource requirements

Location 

Activity is intended to be delivered remotely. Some activity may be delivered onsite at Crafts Council premises based in Islington, London.

Reporting to

Activity will be overseen by Amanda Rigler, Senior Learning and Participation Manager. Freelance consultant will work with the Learning and Participation team, Communications team and Young Craft Citizen network as required.

Days required for scope of work – Activity is estimated at approximately 10 days. Additional days may be agreed.

Fees – At freelancers own daily rate. Guidance linked to CC daily rates is provided below. Please indicate your daily rate in response to this brief.

A budget and delivery timescale will be agreed with the appointed consultant. We welcome proposals that set out a realistic approach to co-creation, programme development and reporting within the available resources.

About You 

We are looking for a consultant or organisation with experience in:

• Event and programme curation within arts, culture or youth contexts
• Co-creation and participatory practice with young people
• Producing public programmes, exhibitions or live events
• Working with national networks and diverse audiences
• Experience designing and delivering programmes with national reach
• Youth engagement, particularly with marginalised young people
• Developing creative, inclusive and audience-focused experiences
• Managing multiple strands of delivery (in-person, digital and partnership activity)
• Experience within the craft or wider creative sector is desirable.