Deirdre Figueiredo, MBE is Director of Craftspace, a leading craft development organisation and creative producer creating opportunities to see, make and be curious about exceptional contemporary craft. Craftspace positions makers to take an active role in civic society. It connects creative practice with diverse communities of interest and place through a range of activities and partnerships. These include touring exhibitions, cross art form productions and participatory projects. Building cultural, social and human capital is a key driver of its work.
Deirdre has worked as a curator and manager in the field of contemporary visual arts, craft and museums for 30 years. In a wider role she has contributed to diversity and cultural policy development, a range of advisory panels, boards and steering groups and has selected for numerous awards and open exhibitions including the Jerwood Makers Open 2017 and the Woman’s Hour Craft Prize 2017. She is the Co-founder and Secretariat of CraftNet, a national craft leadership network and also a Trustee of Punch, Create in Ireland, The Crafts Study Centre and the British Ceramics Biennial.