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 effectivesustainable development.

Takes a cultural economics approach to craft Offers a multidisciplinary perspective to intangible cultural heritage, craft and craftmanship Provides policy recommendations for the craft sector

Autorentext
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.

Inhalt
Chapter 1: Introduction.- Part I. Definitional issues.- Chapter 2. Defining Craft: Hermeneutics and Economy.- Chapter 3. UNESCO approach to crafts.- Chapter 4. Making sense of craft using cultural economics.- Part II. Policies for crafts.- Chapter 5. Policies for craft: reasons and tools.- Chapter 6. Crafts policies in China.- Chapter 7. Arts and Crafts policies: heritage vs economics in France.- Chapter 8. Handwerk - Crafts and trades in Germany.- Chapter 9. The building of craft policy in India.- Chapter 10. Crafts policies in Japan.- Chapter 11. Crafts in the Netherlands - From an economic to a value-based perspective.- Chapter 12. Crafts policies in the UK.- Chapter 13. Craft Economic Policies in the United States 1896-2016.- Part III. Economic issues.- Chapter 14. An economic assessment of Asian crafts.- Chapter 15. A Cultural Economic Analysis of Crafts - A view from the workshop of the world.- Chapter 16. The invisible giant: economics of artisanal activity in India.- Chapter 17. Measuring the economics of traditional craft production.- Part IV. Future development.- Chapter 18. The importance of craft culture.- Chapter 19. Design and craft: the practitioners view.- Chapter 20. Material is the mother of innovation.- Chapter 21. Education for Artisans: Beginning A Sustainable Future for Craft Traditions.