Created in 2002 upon the request of the French government to derive value from the nation’s enormous intangible assets as a way to highlight its living heritage, the European Artistic Crafts Days, EACD, (Journées Européennes des Métiers d’Art) are coordinated by the Institut National des Métiers d’Art (INMA).
Due to the success of these days in France, they now take place across Europe. During a week in early spring, workshops open their doors, demonstrations are held, and training schools are open in around 20 European countries. They have become a major international event dedicated to and celebrating crafts, engaging an audience of more than 1 million people and hosting over 10.000 events.
For a week, free activities will bring visitors and curious people of all ages closer to the sphere of crafts creation including: open doors in workshops; live demonstrations; children’s activities; fairs; exhibitions; behind the scenes of conservation and restoration in museums and patrimonial buildings; “Exceptional Rendezvous” (private visit in exceptional patrimonial places that are usually not or very rarely opened to public), etc. Seven days around crafts, in which artisans who wish to show their creations and share their work procedures with the public are invited to participate.
As part of the ‘CRAFTING THE FUTURE’ project, WCCE will expand the scope and engagement of EACD amongst its network in Europe. While some members of the WCCE network currently engage with the programme, we seek to grow this number and introduce the international event to new countries and organisations.
OPPORTUNITY
WCCE invites craft organisations around Europe who are interested in offering an activity to promote crafts to apply for a 500€ grant. Activities might range from fairs, exhibitions, seminars, conferences, open days, to live demonstrations, workshops, museum storeroom visits, heritage restoration sites and ‘Exceptional Rendezvous’. The target beneficiaries of these activities should be the wider public as well as children.
The objective of these activities is to bring the secrets of the work of luthiers, jewellers, potters, lace makers, blacksmiths, weavers and all kinds of craft trades closer to the public, to spread their enormous richness and uniqueness.
REQUIREMENTS
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The applicant must have a link with the crafts sector, such as being a public or private entity in the sector, training centre, association, museum, etc.
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Commit to actively participate in this event and offer activities to promote the crafts sector.
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Not asking for further financial contributions from the participants.
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Respect the opening dates and times communicated in the program.
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Use the communication elements provided.
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Participants are required to complete an evaluation form provided by WCCE, within two weeks of completing the activity.
Participants are encouraged to actively disseminate and communicate the planned activities and outcomes through social media by using the following hashtags: #wcceurope #EACD2023 #craftingthefuture #elevatetheeveryday #artisticcrafts #europeancrafts
APPLICATION PROCESS
Applications are open from 2nd January to 10th March 2023.
Interested applicants are invited to fill out this application form in order to apply.
Grants will be awarded on a first come first served basis until the funds run out. There will be 40 grants available for the EACD 2023 edition. Successful applicants will be duly informed.
The European Artistic Craft Days will take place between 27th March and 2nd April 2023 under the theme “Elevate the Everyday”.
Contact info@wcc-europe.org with any questions.