Deirdre Figueiredo MBE joins the Axis Board

Deirdre is Director of Craftspace, which works in partnership with makers and artists, audiences, venues and a diverse range of organisations to push boundaries and perceptions around contemporary crafts practice, touring exhibitions and public engagement.

Developing Contemporary Craft

Sarah Fisher, Chair of the Board of Trustees, says:
‘It’s great that Deirdre has joined us, bringing vast expertise in craft, diversity and audience development. At Axis we’re particularly keen to develop our support for makers and represent the UK contemporary craft scene on the website.
We’re sure Deirdre will be instrumental in helping us achieve these goals.’

Deirdre says she’s keen to support Axis as it
‘is not only an invaluable resource but also a critical and lively forum in which to debate current issues in the visual arts. A virtual lab to pollinate ideas and find collaborators.’

More about Deirdre Figueiredo

Currently Deirdre is Director of Craftspace, where she says:
‘I am proud and privileged to be in a position to promote the ingenuity of artists and craftspeople as well as devising initiatives that enable diverse people of all ages to engage, collaborate and explore their creativity and personal development through making.’

In a wider role she contributes to a range of advisory panels, boards and steering groups, including recently being a member of Arts Council England’s Regional Council and member of Creative and Cultural Skills Council advisory group.

She is currently a board member of Audiences Central, Punch, Create in Ireland and a Trustee of The Crafts Study Centre, Farnham. She also co-steers a Crafts Leadership Network which has delivered two development programmes over the past three years.

Deirdre was awarded an MBE in the 2010 New Year’s Honours list for services to the visual arts in the West Midlands.