| Last updated on October 29, 2007 |
Aid to Artisans, a non-profit organization offers practical assistance to artisans groups worldwide, working in partnership to foster artistic traditions, cultural vitality, and community well-being. Through collaboration in product development, business skills training and development of new markets, Aid To Artisans provides sustainable economic and social benefits for crafts people in an environmentally sensitive and culturally respectful manner.
Description:
Aid to Artisans is a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating economic opportunities for craftspeople in developing nations. ATA's staff, design and business consultants, volunteers and an active board of directors help handcraft-based businesses compete in the global marketplace.
Our work is made possible by support from government institutions, foundations, corporations and individuals and by the participation of importers and retailers.
How We Do It
Through ATA's efforts, artisan groups around the world have become self-sustaining. Many of their products have sold in recognized retail stores, mail order catalogues and in magazines including Metropolitan Home, "O", Elle D�r, House & Garden, Better Homes and Gardens, Bon Appetit, Lucky, Home Style, Victoria, Natural Home, The New York Times Magazine, USA Today and The Washington Post.
Because ATA's goal is to help artisans sell their work in local and export markets, we provide assistance in all stages of that process, from product development and design, to training, to actual market experience. We make the Market Link.
Product Development and Design
What are the demands of new markets and how can artisans compete? ATA answers these critical questions by helping artisans design and develop products that will sell.
By sending consultants who have long experience in designing products for the marketplace to work directly with artisan entrepreneurs, we accomplish a transfer of knowledge to which most artisans would never otherwise have access.
We help artisans modify the products they are already producing or develop new lines that will appeal to the U.S. and European markets. We begin this process by building on local traditions and materials to create functional and aesthetically desirable products. We also work carefully to develop pricing structures which balance the need for a fair, productive wage and satisfy the competition within the marketplace for pricing which matches the perceived value of the product.
Market-Driven Design Consultation
ATA staff members and design consultants work directly with artisans to make sure their products are marketable. This may be as simple as suggesting that a pillow�s size be standardized, its color offerings be extended, or that it become part of a full line of pillows.
ATA designers may recommend a new use for a product, or show artisans new techniques and tools to improve the quality of what their current products. A different firing method, for example, might result in pottery that better withstands shipping. A new glazing technique may be required to conform to U.S. safety regulations.
All of these factors are considered so that when ATA finally brings the products into US and European markets, they are market-ready and may be purchased by wholesalers or retailers who are likely to establish long term relationships with artisan producers. It is these long term relationships which provide lasting economic value to artisans far beyond the duration of a traditional income generation program.
Linking Artisans to World Markets
One of the most valuable resources ATA brings to artisan groups is direct access to buyers and importers. ATA exhibits artisan products in New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Frankfurt, Germany and Johannesburg, South Africa. ATA seeks importers to whom we can introduce well-designed and competitively priced home furnishings. ATA also brings buyers directly to artisans by hosting periodic buyers' trips to the countries in which we work.
History:
Aid to Artisans was founded in Massachusetts by James Plaut, former Secretary-General of the World Crafts Council, and his wife, Mary, in 1976 as a purveyor of authentic crafts to museum shops. It also started out as a grant-making organization specializing, as now, in small grants direct to artisan groups for very practical purposes.
The Plauts retired in 1986 and ATA moved to Connecticut when Clare Brett Smith, a former craft importer, became President. With its marketing emphasis, Aid to Artisans grew rapidly, and Thomas Aageson joined as Executive Director, later followed by Keith Recker. Jill Kassis is the current Executive Vice President.
Since its founding, Aid to Artisans has transformed itself into a growing organization with a yearly budget of $6 million and a comprehensive menu of training, design and marketing services. ATA helps artisans move into new markets with competitive products and management skills. Many relationships created by ATA between U.S. and European markets and artisan producers have lasted for over a decade and continue to provide important and sustaining salaries for artisans in many countries.
Another of Aid to Artisans' key goals is to reinvigorate craft traditions in danger of disappearing. When such traditions can be adapted slightly or directed into saleable merchandise categories, the skills and the aesthetic behind them become important income-producing assets and are much more likely to endure.
Contact people:
Office fax number: 860-947-3350
Address:
 |
331 Wethersfield Avenue
Hartford, CT 06114
(See a map) |
Web Site: http://www.aidtoartisans.org
Directions:
|
We are located at 331 Wethersfield Ave., Hartford, CT. Directly across the street from Bulkeley High School.
Nearest Metro/Subway Stop: Off Main St., Downtown Hartford
Nearest Bus Stop: Across from Bulkeley High School
For maps or information, please see http://www.cttransit.com/ |
User Reflections
Post Your Own!
Overall Experience 
it is a thing of joy
|
rural development agency.
so much to add to the society.
posted by daysman8@homail.com on January 8, 2003 |
|
|
|
