“One thing that never ceases to amaze me is that,

despite poor service delivery, poverty, or any other obstacles,

true creatives will find a way to express themselves creatively.

Obviously when they are properly resourced, they can do so much more…

but that spark will always find a way to shine in the darkest dark.”

– Robin Opperman, Director, Umcebo Trust.

TheWCC

Experience

The World Crafts Council

since 1964

Only worldwide NGO in crafts

With a presence in five regions – Africa, Asia Pacific, Europe, Latin America, and North America

The WCC mission is clear-

To provide a better future for the craftspeople of the world.

Craft + Designworking together

Craft + Designworking together

Craft + Designworking together

Some WCC learnings

Pattamadai mats

- Weaving magic

Sedge grass matsIn Tamilnadu and Kerala, India

Craft and community revived

1500 families now sustaining the craft

Workshops and training programs for stone carving communities

Stonecraft- Carving Out Success

Covered 19 states in India

Documented 6 volumes

Published“Stone Crafts of India” a precious resource book

Indian stone craftsperson Rajasekar created Yalis for restoration of St Georges Chapel, Windsor Castle.

Gypsy colours of joy

Banjara embroidery from Telangana, AndhraPradesh, India

Skilled Banjara women were moving to daily labour for livelyhood

Banjara embroidery now has an international market.

2004 – Grass to Gold.

Idea conceived through UNESCO Young Craftsperson Competition.

Grass to Gold.Renowned international jewellery experts shared knowledge with local craftspeople

Grass to Gold.Exhibitions, seminars, workshops evening shows.

Resounding attendance and sales!

WCC and UNESCO- Perfect Partners

The UNESCO Award of Excellence

Benarasi silk weaver, Mallika Mathur.

Award of Excellence needs a bigger thrust, in remote rural areas

Craft and Design - bridging the gap

The Indian experience

– independent pioneers

Started in 1958 by John Bissell.

A profit-driven business model rooted in the cooperative movement.

Fab India- the name says it all.

Benefits over 15,000 rural artisans and craftspersons across India.

Ritu Kumar- Queen of Crafts

Bridging tradition and modernity

Started in a small shed with hand block printers 28 years ago.

Producer of exquisite garments in cotton, silk, and leather.

The first designerto introduce the “boutique” concept in India

Ecofriendly – the new buzz

Fabric from banana!

Japanese designer standardised quality and the extraction process

Independent Pioneers – Worldwide

Designer inspiration-Bia Saldanha

Treetap benefits over 320 people in the Amazon rainforests

An economic alternative to native rubber extraction.

Treetap - A green dream

Water hyacinth – River Nile revival

Water hyacinth – A world of possibilities Paper, pulp, cards, lampshades, furniture, baskets, and footwear.

Looking ahead . . . the future

Role

of

Design Institutes

Craftsperson as designer- when?

Bringing the children of craftspersons,into the design community

Design School Education for the next generation artisan

COLLABORATE to CAPTURE !

Regions / countries

Craftspersons / designers / resources

International organizations

NGOs

Enlightened business community

Media – TV, Radio, Press

Collaborate with:

The attention of policy makersworldwide

Capture markets with aggressive strategies

Capture mindshare of the consumers

Capture Youth – early involvement with craft

To Capture:

Focus on: Advocacy

The Crafts Community needs strong advocates to represent their case among world bodies

constantly and consistently.

Early Intervention

To instill in the mind of the child the importance of the craft.

To introduce to school children the love of the arts

Pooling and sharing of expertise.

Workshops

Exchange programmes.

Empanelment of designers.

Cut through trade barriers.

Talk to governments

Create special status for trade in crafts

Cut red tape

Enable Santa Fe like fairs worldwide

Crafts tourism linkage highlighted by WTO, OIC, UNESCO

Piggy back on high interest in Eco tourism

Get government backing

Destination: Craft-land!

Familiarise customer with crafts

Get acceptance worldwide

Thank You!

Thank You!