Birmingham awarded World Craft City status
Birmingham has officially been recognised as a World Craft City - making it one of just eight in Europe to receive the prestigious designation from the World Crafts Council. This signifies a landmark moment for Birmingham and the wider West Midlands, placing the city’s historic Jewellery Quarter - home to an internationally renowned community of jewellers, makers and creative businesses - firmly on the global stage.
Led by the Jewellery Quarter Development Trust (JQDT) and co-applicants Birmingham City University, a bid for World Craft City status was supported by Birmingham City Council and the Goldsmiths Company and submitted in October 2024. A rigorous application and judging process took place, with an international panel of judges visiting Birmingham in April 2025.
During the judging visit, the international panel experienced the Quarter’s vibrant ecosystem of heritage and innovation first-hand. Their tour included a visit to the iconic School of Jewellery at Birmingham City University - established in 1890 and housed in a stunning Grade II-listed building on Vittoria Street - where they took part in a silversmithing workshop, viewed the artistry and craftsmanship of current students, and attended a special presentation delivered by BCU staff, the Lord Lieutenant of the West Midlands Derrick Anderson CBE, and representatives from world-renowned local jewellery firms.
Elsewhere in the Jewellery Quarter, judges stopped at the Birmingham Assay Office, Cooksongold, and the historic Coffin Works. Across the three-day visit, dozens of businesses, institutions and individuals came together to demonstrate the area’s exceptional craft culture and its commitment to both preserving and evolving traditional skills.
Matthew Bott, Chair, Jewellery Quarter Development Trust said: “This is a moment of real pride - not just for the Jewellery Quarter, but for Birmingham and the West Midlands. We’ve always known the value of what happens here, and now the world does too. Our thanks go to everyone who helped us reach this point, and we look forward to working with partners old and new to build on this incredible foundation.”
David Mba, Vice Chancellor, Birmingham City University, said: “This is such exciting news. Being recognised as a World Craft City puts a global spotlight on the skills, creativity and community we have here in Birmingham. At the School of Jewellery, we already attract talented students and practitioners from across the world - but this recognition will help us go even further. It will strengthen our international reputation, open up new collaborations, and inspire even more promising students to come here to study, work and create - a perfect example of our strategic ambition to develop the talent for tomorrow”
With the designation now confirmed, the JQDT, supported by City Curator Alex Nicholson-Evans, will use this recognition as a springboard for further ambition. Starting with launching the Birmingham Jewellery Biennial, the UK’s jewellery festival. Envisaged as a citywide celebration, plans for the Biennial include open studios, jewellery fairs, heritage tours, a trade conference and a flagship exhibition - shining a spotlight on both internationally acclaimed artists and emerging talent, selected through a UK-wide open call.
“The Goldsmiths’ Company and Centre are delighted to learn that Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter has been awarded World Craft City status. Birmingham has and continues to play a fundamental role in the UK’s jewellery and silversmithing industries. We hope that this accolade will lead to greater recognition and increased opportunity for the Jewellery Quarter and all those living, working and studying there.”
The new status also opens the door to international partnerships, funding opportunities and collaborative projects - not just for the Jewellery Quarter, but for the city and wider region. With both the Jewellery Quarter and Stoke-on-Trent now recognised as World Craft Cities, the West Midlands is fast becoming a national leader in championing craft as culture. From Birmingham’s world-renowned jewellery sector and Stourbridge’s glass industry, to Walsall’s historic leather trade and Sandwell’s specialist textile industries, the region boasts extraordinary depth and density in making and manufacturing.
Cllr Saima Suleman, Birmingham City Council cabinet member for Digital, Culture, Heritage and Tourism, said: “Being named a World Craft City is brilliant recognition for Birmingham and especially for the Jewellery Quarter. The Jewellery Quarter has long been celebrated for its craftsmanship and innovation, and this designation recognises the area’s heritage and enduring excellence. This recognition will help bring new opportunities for investment, tourism and international partnerships. We are proud to support the creative communities driving this forward and look forward to seeing how this recognition will positively shape the city’s future”
The World Craft City designation is awarded by the World Crafts Council - a UNESCO-affiliated organisation - to places that demonstrate exceptional craft heritage, a strong maker community, and a clear commitment to developing craft into the future. The title is independently verified and peer-reviewed, making it a meaningful and credible marker of quality.
WCC AISBL President, Mr Saad Al-Qaddumi, said: “The World Crafts Council AISBL International (WCC AISBL) is very happy to recognise Birmingham as a WCC-World Craft City for Jewellery and allied-trades. This title celebrates the city's rich heritage, skilled artisans, creative designers, proud makers, and innovative contributions to the jewellery industry. It is a reflection of Birmingham’s continued leadership in heritage craftsmanship and its role in shaping the future of the jewellery trade and creative economy across the UK and globally.”
Photography by Anne-Marie Hayes