A Cultural Economic Analysis of Craft

Are we aware of the values of craft? In this edited volume, cultural economists, researchers and professionals provide an interdisciplinary discussion of the relevance and contribution of the craft sector to the economy, as well as to society at large. Mignosa and Kotipalli bring together contributors to compare the craft sector across countries, analysing the role of institutions, educational bodies, organisations and market structure in its evolution and perception. The Western approach to craft and its subordinate position to the arts is contrasted with the prestige of craftmanship in Eastern countries, while the differing ways that craft has attracted the attention of policy agencies, museums, designers and private institutions across regions is also analysed. This volume is vital reading to those interested in the economic features of craft and craftsmanship around the world, as well as for those interested in the importance of policy in bringing about effective sustainable development. Anna Mignosa is Assistant Professor at the University of Catania, Italy, and Lecturer at the Erasmus University, Rotterdam, the Netherlands. Her field of research is cultural economics, specifically cultural heritage and cultural policies. Mignosa is particularly interested in the potential effect of research on society. She had been member of the Board of the Association of Cultural Economics and is one of the founders of Officine Culturali and of CREARE. Priyatej Kotipalli holds a PhD from Erasmus University, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. His primary research interest is in the economics of intangible cultural heritage with a special focus on traditional knowledge and skills. He serves on the board of various cultural organisations in the Netherlands and India. He is also member of the National Scientific Committee of Intangible Cultural Heritage, ICOMOS India, and of the Crafts Council of Telengana, India.-- Provided by publisher Preface 5 Contents 8 Notes on Contributors 11 List of Figures 18 List of Tables 20 Introduction 22 Definition of Craft 25 Classification of the Craft Sector 26 Handmade 27 Policies 28 Policy Tools 29 Role of Design 31 Sustainable Development 31 Craft Culture 32 References 33 Part I Definitional Issues 34 Defining Craft: Hermeneutics and Economy 35 Why Is Craft a Hermeneutic Problem? 36 Craft and the Creative Economy 39 The World Crafts Council: The Problem of Defining Craft 40 References 42 UNESCO Approach to Crafts 44 Background and Framework 44 The Cultural Heritage Framework 48 The Creative Industries Framework 49 Linkages Between Artisans and Designers 50 Policy Framework 54 Conclusion 55 References 56 Making Sense of Craft Using Cultural Economics 57 Introduction 57 Cultural Economics a Brief Overview 58 Cultural Economics and Craft 60 Definitions of Crafts and Economic Approaches 62 Conclusion 64 References 65 Part II Policies for Crafts 67 Policies for Crafts: Rationale and Tools 68 Economic Reasons for Public Intervention for Craft 69 Policies for Craft 73 Issues in Craft Policies 74 Concluding Remarks 76 References 76 Crafts in China 78 Introduction 78 Definition 79 Craftsmanship 82 Organization Systems 83 Education 85 The Chinese Master Title 89 References 90 Arts and Crafts Policies: Heritage vs Economics in France 91 Heritage vs Economics 93 French Institutions for Arts and Crafts 99 Future Perspectives 102 References 103 Handwerk: Crafts and Trades in Germany 104 Introduction 104 Conceptual and Historical Roots of Handwerk 106 Historical Background 107 The Legal Framework of the German Crafts 109 The Dual Education System 111 Present Criticalities 112 Conclusion 114 References 114 The Building of Craft Policy in India 117 Introduction 117 The Setting and the Shifting of Craft Policy: 1947 to the Present 117 Beyond the Economic 123 Policy Prescriptions 126 References 128 Crafts Policies in Japan 129 Introduction 129 Craftsmanship in Japan 130 Cultural Policy for Tangible and Intangible Cultural Heritage 131 Higher Education System for Crafts 134 Economic and Industrial Policies for Crafts 134 How Are Craft Skills Passed on? 135 How Do Traditional Craft Districts Survive? 136 Difficulties of Traditional Craft Industries 138 The “Cool Japan” Strategy 139 Conclusion 140 References 141 Crafts in the Netherlands: From an Economic to a Value-Based Perspective 142 Introduction 142 The Situation of the Crafts in the Netherlands 143 Policies in Place and the Role of Institutions 147 Education System 149 Identification of Issues and Shortcomings and Possible Future Policy Directions 153 References 154 Crafts Policies in the UK 156 Introduction 156 The UK Context for Craft 157 Conclusion 165 References 165 Craft: Economic Policies in the United States 1896–2016 167 Introduction 167 References 174 Part III Economic Issues 176 An Economic Assessment of Asian Crafts 177 Introduction 177 Artisans and Sustainable Development 178 Local Markets 180 Entrepreneurship and Self Reliance 184 Innovation Without Education 185 A Profile of Asian Craft Producers; Changing Demographics 187 Conclusion 190 Bibliography 191 A Cultural Economic Analysis of Crafts: A View from the Workshop of the World 195 References 210 The Invisible Giant: Economics of Artisanal Activity in India 212 The Power and Burden of Legacy 214 Cultural Industries in a Globalized World 215 The Challenge of Data 216 Guaranteeing Indian Livelihoods: An Emerging Crisis 219 The SDG Opportunity 220 References 221 Measuring the Economics of Traditional Craft Production 222 Introduction 222 Classification and Approaches 224 National Statistics—The Labour Force Survey and Household Expenditure 226 National Statistics—Business Surveys 228 National Statistics—Exports and Imports 229 Craft Surveys 230 Value Chain Analysis 232 Problems in Household Accounting 234 Conclusion—A Framework for Measuring Craft Production 236 Bibliography 237 Part IV Future Development 241 The Importance of Craft Culture 242 Craftsmanship Is Easy to Overlook 242 The Framing of Standard Economics Is Misleading 243 Crafts as Shared Practices: Applying the Value-Based Approach 244 Shared Practices Are Embedded in and Made Meaningful by a Culture 247 So What? 248 References 250 Design and Craft: The Practitioners’ View 252 Introduction 252 Geographic (and Cultural) Issues: Design and Craftsmanship in Italy 255 Where Design Meets Craft 257 References 262 Material Is the Mother of Innovation 263 Introduction 263 Homo Faber 264 A Matter of Skill 265 Human–Material Relations 266 Making Metal, and Bronze Age Minds 266 Back to the Future 268 Craft as Intangible Heritage; Politically Loaded 268 An Epistemology of Materials 269 Material Mentalities 270 Conclusions 271 References 273 Education for Artisans: Beginning a Sustainable Future for Craft Traditions 277 Craft Traditions in India Today—What’s Wrong with This Picture? 277 Education for Artisans 279 Impact to Date 281 Outreach 283 Changing Goals and Perspectives 284 Approaching Creative Craft Culture—Craft Communities in the Market 285 The Craft Consumer and the Human Connection 287 What’s Next—Scaling Out 288 References 290 Index 291