Walter Crane (1845-1915) was a leading English illustrator and political activist, and a founding member of both the Art Workers Guild and the Arts and Crafts Exhibition Society. Crane believed passionately in the importance of beauty in improving quality of life. The project aimed to increase public access to Crane’s work.

The Walter Crane Archive, containing over 4,000 items, is the most complete collection of his work in existence, and was purchased in 2002 with our support. The archive is held jointly by the Whitworth Art Gallery and the John Rylands Library.

The funding enabled the gallery to hold two exhibitions, and the full archive has been digitalised, enabling the public to access artefacts in the collection at any time. In addition, a children’s website was created, aimed at introducing children to Walter Crane’s work. This website includes information on toys, books, costumes and fairy tales, and offers engaging activities (such as colouring pages, audio storytelling and puzzles).

The funding also enabled the gallery to identify and catalogue Crane works that were previously held in private collections, ensuring that Crane’s work is now accessible to the wider public.