Local Empowerment Through Artisan Craft INDIAscussion

Community-based artisanship has a powerful local and international impact. For instance, commercialising crafts for international markets not only enables traditions to survive, but stimulates local economic and social prosperity. However, the close connection between artisanship, and families and communities, raises challenging questions around gender, race, and agency. 

Indian not-for-profits Shrujan and Okhai highlight the local educative and commercial benefits of promoting crafts. The international fashion House of Anita Dongre details initiatives providing local employment and training for Indian women. Debates between students, and with local artisans and farmers, ask whether agency and opportunity need threaten traditional practices and community culture.