CULTURE

Crafts and Design

Building confidence: crafts for development

mainsartisane.jpg
Skilful and creative hands working © Shalini Saran

Artisanal products are those produced by artisans, either completely by hand, or with the help of hand tools or even mechanical means, as long as the direct manual contribution of the artisan remains the most substantial component of the finished product. These are produced without restriction in terms of quantity and using raw materials from sustainable resources. The special nature of artisanal products derives from their distinctive features, which can be utilitarian, aesthetic, artistic, creative, culturally attached, decorative, functional, traditional, religiously and socially symbolic and significant.

(definition adopted by the UNESCO/ITC Symposium "Crafts and the international market: trade and customs codification" - Manila, 6-8 October 1997)

As the only international organization with a global vision of the socio-cultural and economic role played by crafts in society, UNESCO has, for many years now, endeavoured to develop well-balanced, coherent and concerted action in favour of this sector. The programmes devoted to crafts facilitate training and promotional activities and stimulate the necessary cooperation between the relevant national bodies and regional, international and non-governmental organizations. The aim of the different actions undertaken by UNESCO is to prove to the concerned authorities that the artisanal sector deserves priority in national development plans.

UNESCO has been specially involved in stimulating the creation of original models through the UNESCO Crafts Prize from 1990 to 2005, and, since 2001, in the promotion of quality handicrafts through the UNESCO Award of Excellence for Handicrafts, and also in the commercialization of artisanal products on the international market. In this view, a series of activities are carried out for artisans' training (through further training workshops) and for the promotion of craft products outside of their place of origin (in exhibitions held at UNESCO Headquarters or on the occasion of international fairs).

Moreover, UNESCO encourages regional and international cooperation by supporting the organization of meetings of experts. The aim is to improve the life and working conditions of the artisan, to protect craft creation and to harmonize data collection on crafts. The books, studies and reports published by UNESCO on this subject are widely disseminated.

UNESCO organized an International Symposium-Workshop on natural dyes which took place in Hyderabad (India) from 5 to 12 November 2006. It brought together master craftpersons, researchers and specialists in natural dyes and craft promoters from the five continents. The aim of this encounter was to attain practical outcomes based on the diversity of experiences and respectful of the variety of natural, social and cultural environment of the concerned craftspeople.

In the framework of design, with the aim of stimulating and recognizing the creativity of young designers worldwide, UNESCO implements the Design 21 programme.

The UNESCO Programme for Crafts and Design also hosts the Tribute 21 project which is meant to create "DREAM centres" for artistic activities in favour of children in countries in post-conflict situation.



Crafts Design Artisans Craftsworkers

Events

Events Handiclasse Day 2007: France, Morocco and Senegal

After exploring different approaches to disability, art and school in France and other European countries during previous "Handiclasse Days", this year's edition has broadened its scope by looking at other French-speaking countries, namely Morocco and Senegal. With the support of numerous partners, the event will be broadcast in these countries this year.

The aim is to bring together diverse approaches with a view to enhancing understanding of disabilities among students, while also raising awareness among teachers and parents through various art forms (theatre, video, storytelling, dance, music, fashion shows) and media (conference, shows, TV programmes):

  • The morning session will be devoted to a conference on ‘Disability and Education’, with the participation of internationally renowned specialists (Room II, 9 a.m. – 1 pm, free entrance.
  • The afternoon will be devoted to a musical performance for children "Le conteur qui ne savait pas compter", music by Steve and Arthur Warring (Room I, 2 – 4 pm, free entrance)
  • The evening gala "Childhood and disability" will feature performances by famous artists (Room I, 8 – 11 p.m. – entrance fee: 30 euros).

As part of the programme of the Division of Cultural Expressions and Creative Industries, this event is organized by Sans Tambour ni Trompette and UNESCO.

Reservations: contact@stnt.fr or tel: 01 43 67 63 50.


 Events 1st AHPADA International Crafts Expo in the Philippines
The ASEAN Handicraft Promotion and Development Association (AHPADA) exhibition features country and regional pavilions for Europe, the Middle East, Asia Pacific, Asia Ocean and the Americas.

This exhibit showcases the unique arts and crafts reflecting the countries' cultural heritage and their strong potential in the international market. A special section displays the UNESCO-AHPADA Seal of Excellence Award-winning crafts for 2007. The market area serves as a venue for participating countries to sell their arts and crafts to the public. Cultural events held from 22 to 25 November include craft demonstrations at the country and regional pavilions.

The Expo’s objectives:

  • To promote and to bring about greater awareness of the importance of arts and crafts to a country’s cultural roots and economic development;
  • To provide marketing opportunities for ASEAN artists, craftspeople and producers;
  • To develop an international network for dialogue and information exchange on issues relevant to arts and crafts production, marketing, preservation and best practices;
  • To nurture a spirit of cooperation and sharing between ASEAN artists, craftspeople and producers; and their counterparts in other part of the world;
  • To celebrate and showcase arts and crafts from ASEAN and other countries in a special exhibition and festival.

Coinciding with the exhibition is a Business Forum (22–24 November) that provides an opportunity for participating countries to share knowledge and best practices. Arts and crafts experts, noted designers, artists, artisans and foreign buyers from around the world join as speakers and panelists. Participating in the forum are institutions and individuals either practicing their crafts or who are interested in the development of the arts and crafts industry.

The exhibition is organized by the AHPADA Philippines and is fully supported by the Philippine Government and by several private enterprises.


 Events Promoting and Preserving Handicrafts in the Arab States

The workshop's objectives are to increase public awareness on handicrafts and to promote the diversity and quality of handicrafts as well as the social status of craftspeople.

  • 21-23 October - Semi-regional Workshop (Sultanate of Oman)
    Two experts along with participants from all the GCC countries (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates) participate in the workshop.
  • 29-31 October - Training Workshop (Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia)
    Two experts will conduct the training workshop which includes participants from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. 

    •  Events International Symposium-Workshop on Natural Dyes

    The Symposium-Workshop brought together about 600 master craftpersons, researchers and specialists in natural dyes and craft promoters from the five continents.

    UNESCO took the initiative to organize an International Symposium / Workshop on natural dyes in India in 2006 in partnership with the Crafts Council of India, and in cooperation with Dastkar Andhra, a non-profit trust concerned with the promotion of artisanal skills working with cotton handloom weavers.

    The coordination of the scientific aspects of the Symposium and Workshops on natural dyes has been entrusted to Ms Dominique Cardon, Research Director at the French National Centre for Scientific Research, CNRS, UMR 5648 (Lyon), author of the publication "Le Monde des teintures naturelles" - the world of natural dyes (Editions Belin, April 2003).

    The aim of this encounter was to attain practical outcomes based on the diversity of experiences and respectful of the variety of natural, social and cultural environment of the concerned craftspeople. The Symposium encompassed all aspects of the use of natural dyes: scientific, technical and cultural, societal and economical. Poster presentations, exhibitions-sales, workshops and dyeing demonstrations took place simultaneously. 

    A report of the Symposium, containing the recommendations that emerged from the discussions after each session, as well as the exchange of experiences at the workshops has been issued.

    A document containing the interventions that have been presented during the Symposium is also published on this web site (interventions).

    For more information, please contact Ms Marlène Zenié (Division of Cultural Expressions and Creative Industries)
    Documents

    Documents International Craft Trade Fairs - A pratical guide
    The world request for authentic crafts items, manufactured from renewable materials keeps growing. The value of these products comes from the fact that they express the creativity, the culture and the inheritance of whole populations. The paramount role of this sector in the sustainable development and the eradication of poverty is not to be proven more. The participation in international trade fairs seems to be the most effective means of presentation of the products at the export markets: international public, direct communication, competition and opportunity to establish contacts with new trade partners are very important for the artisans. The craftsworkers will find in this Guide advice, general information, practical instructions, checklists and useful addresses to direct their choice and to allow a successful participation in international fairs which correspond best to their field of activity.
    Documents Designers Meet Artisans
    A Practical Guide

    The need for this volume arises from the concerns expressed, across all geographical borders, by artisans, craft activists and organizations for closer links between designers and artisans.

    In the light of converging lessons learned about the development of effective partnerships, Designers Meet Artisans seeks to be a practical guide to this interaction and the issues that arise in this interface for a well-balanced and mutually beneficial relationship applicable to a broad spectrum of the crafts sector worldwide.

    It is as part of UNESCO's global approach to the cultural and socio-economic role of crafts that Designers Meet Artisans is proposed as a working tool for decision makers, artisans, designers and design institutes, and craft NGOs. The ultimate aim is to help all those involved in the promotion of the crafts sector ask the right questions rather than in delivering unequivocal answers.

    This publication is available in English, French and Spanish.

    © 2008 - UNESCO