Research: Crafting Futures Argentina
Understanding and supporting the sustainability of collaborative artisan crafts in Argentina.
Research summary
Research summary
- May 2019 — July 2021
The Crafting Futures Argentina project asked: how can collaborative practice support and develop the sustainability of craft ecosystems in Argentina?
To find out, researchers gathered information and case study participants relating to craft collaboration in Argentina. Collaboration is the foundation of a sustainable and revitalised craft ecosystem. The project’s approach preserved the intangible cultural heritage of the craft sector in Argentina.
A roundtable took place in May 2019 at the Market of Creative Industries (MICA). This meeting brought stakeholders together to begin a dialogue and generate a way forward. This phase of the project also included trips to Tucuman in Argentina to meet artisans and attend workshops.
In December 2020, a research methodology was developed to explore collaboration between craft artisans and other professional groups, such as designers, curators, agents, and academics within Argentina. These relationships have sustained craft practices over the years.
While COVID-19 restrictions prevented face-to-face interactions, the research methods were adjusted to suit the circumstances. The research covered a large part of Argentina and kept the artisan communities of makers and practitioners at its core.
564 people contributed to an online research survey. Some parts of Argentina were hard to reach due to a lack of infrastructure and technology. With local support, communities across the country were included.
The survey was followed by face-to-face interactions with over 50 respondents, some representing cooperatives of over 200 artisan members. Meeting artisans in person helped the researchers to understand how the environment impacts their work.
The research was supplemented by several roundtable Zoom conversations with artisans, designers, academics, and advisors.
Research outputs
The Crafting Futures Argentina Project Report covers:
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dataset one: transcriptions, interviews and case Studies
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dataset two: survey results and collaborative craft community
There is also a Spanish version of the report.
More information about the Crafting Futures programme is available on the British Council website.
Gallery
Research team
Research team
Lead researcher
- Sol Marinucci
Co-researchers
- Rachel Kelly
- Ritu Sethi, editor of Global InCH, the online international journal of intangible cultural heritage
More collaborators
- Academic team from The Network of Technological Institutes of the Valencia Region (REDIT Network), led by Alejandra Mizrahi
- Deirdre Figueiredo, director of Craftspace, a leading craft development organisation based in Birmingham
- Elvira Espejo, specialist in research and craft and director of the National Museum of Ethnography and Folklore of La Paz
- Milagro Tejerina, a craftswoman from Jujuy and teacher at the University of Tucuman in Argentina
- Bridget Harvey, design research advisor and specialist in craft based at University of the Arts London
Please see dataset one of the project report for full details.
Project sponsorship
With funding from
