HBL News: BBC and V&A announce major partnership

Tuesday 23 August 2011

Two icons of British culture have announced a major, year-long partnership to promote and celebrate the British craft industry. The BBC reports that it will join forces with the Victoria & Albert Museum in a programme entitled Handmade in Britain.

The BBC states: "Ceramics, metalwork, stained glass, textiles and woodwork are some of the most beautiful and treasured objects with pride of place in British palaces, churches, stately houses and family homes. Handmade In Britain brings these fascinating, functional and often forgotten works of art to the fore in a major new season of programming which will explore the history of British artistry and craftsmanship."

Richard Klein, controller of BBC Four - the channel on which the programmes will air, said: "BBC Four is the home of in-depth, expert led content and the channel for arts and culture. Handmade In Britain will provide a new perspective and a deeper understanding of the decorative arts. Our partnership with the V&A will celebrate these often overlooked treasures of British culture, giving viewers access to one of the world's finest art and design collections."

The partnership follows on from the success of the BBC's collaboration with the British Museum last year, for a series of radio programmes tracking the museum's exhibition, A History of the World in 100 Objects.