Introducing the ZukunftsHandwerker Handbook: Crafting the Future with Head, Heart, and Hand

We are  thrilled to share our latest resource: the ZukunftsHandwerker handbook! This guide is designed for parents, volunteers, and partners who want to dive deeper into our mission of empowering children and young people in rural Altmark through hands-on crafting experiences. It's all about bridging traditions with the future, one creative moment at a time.

What is ZukunftsHandwerker?

ZukunftsHandwerker is a project by The ARCH that brings playful craft encounters to children and youth (aged 3–18) in Altmark. Born in Schönberg, our pop-up workshops now travel to selected locations across the region, inviting families and community members to join in. No prior experience or materials needed – just come and create!

Why Crafting Matters So Much

Crafting isn't just fun; it's essential. It builds self-confidence, fosters social skills, and provides success experiences in areas like Altmark, where educational opportunities are limited. Fascinatingly, crafting activates the same brain regions as key executive functions, such as decision-making and project planning. The prefrontal cortex gets a workout through shaping, problem-solving, and step-by-step creation – skills that prepare kids for life.All our activities are co-developed by craftsmen and educators, ensuring they cater to different skill levels and support gradual development – perfect for beginners and more advanced young crafters alike.

Our Activities: Creative Encounters in Action

In our workshops, children and youth get hands-on with crafting – from pottery to weaving. We offer differentiated tasks tailored to abilities, welcoming families and locals too. It's about the joy of making and the pride in what you've created with your own hands.

Supporting Rare Crafts

We preserve and revive rare techniques that might otherwise fade away. Examples include:

• Leather punching and embossing: Precise work with punches to create patterns and reliefs in leather, building finesse and focus.

• Chasing & repoussé in silversmithing: Shaping metal from front and back – a rare art that teaches patience, spatial thinking, and skill. We've even trialled a beginner version with embossing needles to lay the foundations for fine relief work.

Through our sessions, we pass this knowledge on, inspiring the next generation to carry traditions forward.

Ready to learn more?

Download the full handbook now and join us in crafting a brighter future!

Download the ZukunftsHandwerker Handbook (in German)