“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.

 The
WCC
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 + Design
working together
Craft + Design
working together
Craft + Design
working together
Some WCC learnings
Pattamadai mats
- Weaving magic
Sedge grass mats
In Tamilnadu and
Kerala, India

Craft and
community revived

1500 families
now sustaining
the craft
 Stonecraft- Carving Out Success
Workshops and training programs for stone carving communities
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
Fab India- the name says it all.
Started in 1958 by John Bissell.

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

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 designer

to introduce the “boutique”
concept in India
Ecofriendly – the new buzz
Fabric from banana!
Japanese designer standardised quality and the extraction process
Independent Pioneers – Worldwide
Treetap - A green dream

Designer inspiration-
Bia Saldanha
Treetap benefits over 320
people in the Amazon
rainforests
An economic alternative to
native rubber extraction.
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 !
 Collaborate with:
Regions / countries

Craftspersons / designers / resources

International organizations

NGOs

Enlightened business community

Media – TV, Radio, Press

To Capture:

The attention of policy makers

worldwide

Capture markets
with aggressive strategies

Capture mindshare
of the consumers

Capture Youth
– early involvement with craft
 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
Destination:
Craft-land!
Crafts tourism linkage
highlighted
by WTO, OIC, UNESCO

Piggy back on high interest

in Eco tourism

Get government backing

Familiarise customer with crafts

Get acceptance worldwide

Thank You!
Thank You!