Establishing the Jewellery Quarter as a global craft hub, the Jewellery Quarter Development Trust, in collaboration with the School of Jewellery at Birmingham City University and Birmingham City Council, has submitted a bid for World Craft City status.
This international initiative, led by the World Crafts Council (WCC), recognises places with a long-standing tradition of craftsmanship and creative industries. If successful, the Birmingham Jewellery Quarter will be the first in the world to receive WCC-World Craft City status for Jewellery Making, Goldsmithing, Silversmithing, and Allied Trades.
An international panel of judges will visit from 7th–9th April 2025 to experience the Quarter’s rich heritage and skilled craftwork, where traditional techniques sit alongside contemporary methods. They will explore its diverse ecosystem of trades, seeing first-hand how businesses collaborate and how new talent is nurtured. The visit is an opportunity to showcase the best of the Jewellery Quarter while also highlighting key challenges – demonstrating the positive impact that World Craft City status could have.
Following Birmingham City Council’s Enterprise Zone-funded grant, which established the Jewellery Quarter as a Cultural Action Area, this bid builds on that momentum to secure long-term recognition and support for the area’s craft industries. World Craft City status will not only celebrate our heritage but create a lasting legacy – driving investment, skills development, and new opportunities for the next generation of makers.
Being a World Craft City, recognised for our long history in jewellery and allied trades, will help safeguard the industry for the next 250 years by stimulating interest in locally made goods and services, attracting visitors, and drawing in fresh talent. Our aspiration for World Craft City status is that it will position the Jewellery Quarter in the local, regional, and national psyche as well as on the international stage, helping to attract investment, support, and new talent to one of the city’s oldest industries. Looking ahead, it will serve as a launchpad for the inaugural Birmingham Jewellery Biennial.
As a key stakeholder, we wanted to bring this to your attention. We also hope you can support the judges’ visit – whether by hosting part of the itinerary, providing event coverage, or contributing towards evaluation costs.
If you are interested in getting involved, please contact rebecca.skeels@bcu.ac.uk and matthew.bott@scantechdigital.com for more information.
For press enquiries, please email jewelleryquarterdt@gmail.com
This bid is supported by a diverse group of interconnected local partners, each playing a vital role in promoting and preserving the Jewellery Quarter’s craft legacy. These partners include:
Argent College/Ruskin Mill Trust, Birmingham City Council, Birmingham City University, Goldsmiths Centre, HS Walsh, Jewellery Quarter Development Trust, Jewellery Quarter Research Trust, Masterpeace Academy, National Association of Jewellers, Quartermasters, Royal, Stryx Gallery, Weston Beamor.
