The development work will start immediately and will enable Design-Nation to undertake significant sector research, to create new opportunities for its members, and to launch at least two new showcases of contemporary craft and design.
“We are delighted that through this grant the Arts Council is recognising our efforts in support of British-based craft and design people,” says Clare Edwards who runs Design Nation. “Design Nation has a great history and many fantastic supporters and partners in the design sector. We look forward to delivering our exciting new programme across the UK and will be announcing our first new showcase early in 2017.”
Design Nation was founded in 1997 by the late Peta Levi MBE, a writer, design champion and curator, who also founded New Designers in the 1980s. Design Nation describes its work as offering “a destination for retailers, manufacturers, press and other industry professionals who want to commission, invest and source British design.”
With its sister organisations, creative agency Design Factory and The National Centre for Craft & Design – the largest gallery in the UK for contemporary craft and design – the Design Nation team will explore new models of operation and partnership to support their portfolio of designer-makers in creating new products, exploring new processes and researching new markets.

