Annie Garnett: the Arts and Crafts Movement and the Business of Textile Manufacture

Abstract

The social bearing of the Arts and Crafts movement in our country has certainly been perceived, and it has been the focus of a great amount of effort and energy…. Yet in England, which has been generally regarded as the cradle of this revival, it seems strange that there has been as yet no effective disposition, as in other countries, to treat the Arts and Crafts of Design as matters of National concern; or to establish a permanent organization or institution upon a substantial basis for their better care and fostering. At least, beyond the limited introduction as subjects of study in technological institutes, municipal and county council schools, and the Royal College of Art, it has been left to private effort, and the enthusiasm of groups of individuals or societies, mainly of hard-working artists and craftsmen, at their own risk and cost to endeavour to maintain a high standard of these arts by means of such exhibitions as those of our society.