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News from The ARCH: Celebrating Our Community
News from The ARCH: Celebrating Our Community
31st of October 2024
This special issue is dedicated to The ARCH community—a vibrant network of founding partners, members, and global collaborators united in preserving rare craft traditions. Together, we’re strengthening cultural heritage by fostering connections, sharing expertise, and supporting artisans worldwide.
Highlights
Hear from founding partners on safeguarding heritage skills, meet Special Advisor to The ARCH, Miles Rice with his iconic Mond Zwölf design, and discover projects that sustain our collective mission. Thank you to all who make this community inspiring and impactful!
News from The ARCH
Strengthening Craft Traditions: A Message from Kerstin on The ARCH’s Renewed Mission and Vision
I’m excited to share The ARCH’s newly refined mission and vision, which reinforce our commitment to celebrating and ensuring the continuity of rare and exceptional craft skills. Partnering with grassroots organisations globally, we aim to promote the cultural and economic significance of craftsmanship. Through collaboration, showcase opportunities, and support, we strive to build appreciation for these skills, helping to sustain vibrant craft traditions across borders and generations. Thank you to all who contributed to shaping this inspiring vision.
Modern Rare Crafts
Mond Zwölf: A Heritage Reimagined in Form and Function
Uncover the story of Mond Zwölf—a reading chair that transcends furniture to become a work of art. Crafted from resilient ash wood in the historic chair-making region of Rabenau, each piece embodies over four centuries of Saxon craftsmanship and the vision of acclaimed designer Miles Rice. Sculptural yet functional, Mond Zwölf invites you to experience a timeless blend of tradition and innovation. Discover the artisans, the process, and the legacy behind a piece where every line tells a story.
News from The ARCH Community
Supporting Craft Skills: Heritage Crafts Awards New Training Bursaries
Heritage Crafts, a founding partner of The ARCH, has awarded 29 training bursaries to support endangered craft skills in the UK. These bursaries provide essential support for aspiring artisans, helping preserve traditional crafts like bookbinding, blacksmithing, and tutu-making. This initiative aligns with The ARCH’s mission to sustain rare skills and cultural heritage.
Best Practices in Safeguarding Rare Crafts
Filming Living Heritage: A Toolbox for Documenting Craftsmanship and Intangible Heritage
Toolbox Filming Living Heritage, co-developed with The ARCH’s founding partner, Workshop Intangible Heritage (WIE), is a practical guide for documenting intangible heritage and craft skills. It provides methods for audiovisual storytelling, tailored approaches, and insights from 11 pilot projects in Flanders. Ideal for heritage workers, cultural mediators, and craft enthusiasts, this toolbox is a valuable resource for anyone looking to capture the beauty and significance of traditional skills.
Modern Rare Crafts
Threads of Tradition: Nathalie Seiller Dejean’s Artistry in Straw Marquetry
Rue Pigalle, a proud partner of The ARCH, recently spotlighted Nathalie Seiller Dejean, a celebrated French artist known for her expertise in creating intricate straw marquetry. Nathalie’s work exemplifies the meticulous artistry that The ARCH seeks to uplift, showcasing the beauty and importance of traditional craft. Through Rue Pigalle’s dedication to promoting artisans like Nathalie, we continue our shared mission of supporting rare, exceptional skills and fostering a global appreciation for craft heritage and innovation.
Events Calendar
What to Do and See: Celebrating Craft and Cultural Heritage This November and December
As 2024 wraps up, exciting events worldwide offer unique insights into craft and cultural heritage. Key gatherings include the Museums Association Conference in Leeds, highlighting museum innovation, and Culture Business Sydney, focusing on sustainable arts management. The Smithsonian Folklife Festival’s Storied Objects and Japan’s Imaginal Crafts showcase storytelling through heritage skills. Finally, the Future Imaginaries exhibition in Los Angeles explores Indigenous art and craft. Discover these enriching events and learn more about each.
Let’s Connect: Join The ARCH in Celebrating Craft and Heritage
Curious about The ARCH and our mission to support rare and exceptional craft skills worldwide?
The ARCH thrives on collaboration, exchanges, and meaningful conversations. Reach out to learn more about our initiatives, events, and how we celebrate heritage crafts.
Our Managing Director, Kerstin, is available to answer your questions and share insights on The ARCH’s vision.
Let’s start talking—drop us an email, and join us in fostering connections and preserving craftsmanship!
If you have any questions, comments, or would like to learn more about The ARCH, please get in touch.
Our Members and Partners
The ARCH - thearch.org - [email protected]