Our Research
We are delighted to present our 2009 research findings, a summary of which you can download here. We have been tracking the development of designer-maker businesses based at our two London incubators since 2004. In 2008 we teamed up with the Cities Institute at London Metropolitan University, with whom we continue to work closely.
Our 2009 findings indicate some exciting outcomes and indicators for the sector, with designer-makers reporting an average 158% increase in profit. Some of the stories behind the successes are demonstrated in our case studies. This is what other organisations have to say about this report:
'This is a really useful and fascinating study of the impact of incubation on craft business progression, which contributes greatly to wider understanding of CPD (Continued Professional Development) and its role in craft sector development. Our sense is that the research will be particularly useful to any business support agencies - both generic and specialist - either currently offering or scoping the future provision of incubation services, as well as being of more general interest to creative sector support agencies. It will also be highly relevant to individual makers evaluating their career development options'. – Karen Yair, Research Manager and Beatrice Mayfield, Maker Development, Crafts Council
'Arts Council England welcomes this valuable contribution to the understanding and development of the craft sector. This study demonstrates the impact of incubation spaces on business activity in the craft sector and recognises the crucial role that specialist organisations like Cockpit Arts play in this. Raising the Bar emphasises why partnership working between agencies like ourselves, Cockpit and Business Link is so important for the future of the craft sector'. – Moira Sinclair, Executive Director, Arts Council England, London
'Interest in young designers is greater than ever; our success with Launchpad at Pulse reflects this. The trick is for these fledgling businesses to profit from this interest, either by selling their concepts, or with product that is really 'ready to go'. This is where the support from an organisation like Cockpit comes in'. – Nigel Carrier, Creative Director, Clarion Events
'Cockpit Arts is a valued partner of UKTI and working closely with them means that we have a greater understanding of the needs of small craft businesses. I believe Cockpit is unrivalled in their capacity to support designer-makers into export due to the incubator service they provide and because they can continue to coach a business through the process once they have accessed specialist support from us on how to access a specific country or overseas shows'. – Gail Williams, International Trade Advisor, UK Trade and Investment
'The role of specialist agencies such as Cockpit is very important. They are essential to the work of Creative & Cultural Skills, in helping us get close to employers, and because they can provide the detail on their own sub sector, complimenting the work that we do across the creative industries'. – James Evans, Research Manager, Creative & Cultural Skills
For a full copy of the report or to find out more about our research work please email ellen@cockpitarts.com. We plan to continue research over the long term and welcome comment, feedback or collaborations from other individuals and organisations in the field.
