BRANDAID Project

Meet the master artisans, discover their communities and the stories behind the art.



	< Back	Why are artisans important? Artisan communities hold the intellectual property of entire peoples in their hands. This asset can be a path to their future prosperity. Artisans form the largest labour group in all handmade economies and what they produce is Intellectual Property. Throughout the world, Intellectual Property – creations of the mind – is credited with making significant contributions to modern economic growth. Whereas affluent nations have long been exporting Intellectual Property in the form of branded commodities and have been able to reap the profit rewards, now is the time for supporting and selling the developing world's artisanal works so the flow of profits shifts and more of the revenue and profit is retained by the artisans. Artisan works express the culture of its community which makes it unique and appealing to consumers in affluent countries. The men and women of artisan communities carry ancient cultural traditions. Their arts tell the stories of humanity. Humanity is what connects the world. Master artisans are teachers of techniques and channels for creative energies. They are employers, storytellers and leaders. Artisan livelihoods are sustainable and form the foundation of human culture and economy for millions of people in developing countries. When artisans sell their works lives improve. The challenges developing world artisans face. The enormous arts, crafts and decor sector in the developing world is held back by: Lack of capital and credit to build capacity Lack of access to markets Lack of ability and resources to: Market their products Design products lines and adjust to market needs and demands Gain access to distribution Access effective marketing Access financial and managerial capacity to produce and fill orders Market online "The artisans of the developing world need help to create and sustain small enterprises...there is a great need of not just microfinance but essential market assistance. Traditional artisan groups have never had the opportunity to learn these non traditional skills." Indrassen Ventacatachellum. Director Artisan Sector, UNESCO Paris.
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BrandAid Project