By Kerstin Rice, Managing Director, The ARCH
Today, I am delighted to share The ARCH’s mission and vision statements with you, which reflect our ongoing commitment to championing the continuity of rare and exceptional craft skills across the globe. This milestone results from months of collaboration, insightful feedback, and invaluable support from our Founding Partners, Trustee Advisors, and particularly Michael and Ritu, whose guidance shaped these statements. As we unveil them to our community, I extend heartfelt thanks to everyone who contributed to refining these expressions of our purpose and aspirations.
Our Mission: Celebrating, Promoting, and Ensuring the Continuity of Craft Skills
“The ARCH celebrates, promotes and works towards the continuity of rare and exceptional craft skills.”
The ARCH’s mission succinctly captures our dedication to the world of craft. We are here to celebrate craftsmanship not only as an art form but as a vessel of cultural heritage with an essential place in today’s world. Through our work with grassroots organisations globally, we promote these exceptional skills, building awareness, appreciation, and respect for the craft sector and all it contributes to society.
Our commitment is not just to preservation; it is to the continuity of these craft skills in a world that increasingly favours automation and uniformity over tradition and individuality. Craftsmanship represents a wealth of knowledge, technique, and history that we believe should be sustained and nurtured. Through our work, we strive to be an organisation that supports recognition, respect, and sustainable growth for crafts and the grassroots initiatives that keep them alive.
Our Vision: A Global Network Supporting Collaboration and Cultural Heritage
“As a global organisation, we bring together experts and specialist organisations to promote the role craft skills and knowledge play in the wider society. We encourage their wider appreciation by creating showcase opportunities, stimulating demand and providing support to practitioners. In a sector of mainly micro businesses, we provide the catalyst for collaboration and encourage international co-operation, whilst supporting rich cultural heritages across the globe.”
Our vision reflects our commitment to fostering a network that transcends borders and strengthens the craft sector globally. At The ARCH, we work with experts and specialist organisations worldwide to highlight the value of craft skills, not only as cultural assets but as valuable contributors to the economy. We believe craftsmanship plays a critical role in society, and we are dedicated to ensuring it receives the recognition and support it needs to thrive.
In a sector largely comprised of micro-businesses, craftspeople often operate independently, facing unique challenges and with limited access to resources. The ARCH aims to be a catalyst for the organisations that work with these artisans, fostering collaboration, encouraging international cooperation, and supporting local initiatives. By facilitating showcase opportunities, stimulating demand, and providing access to resources, we help to keep these rich cultural heritages alive in the modern world.
Moving Forward Together
These renewed mission and vision statements are not merely words; they embody our commitment to championing craft in all its forms. We are proud to support grassroots organisations, drive appreciation, and enable new possibilities for these exceptional skills that preserve and define cultural heritage around the world.
Thank you to everyone who helped shape this vision. I am excited for the journey ahead as we work together to fulfil The ARCH’s mission and vision with shared passion and purpose.
With sincere thanks,
Kerstin Rice
Managing Director, The ARCH
PS: The image above captures a touching moment of craft skill being passed down through generations, with Piet Moerman teaching the art of papermaking to an eager 4-year-old at the Ambacht in Beeld Festival 2024. The close-up emphasizes the hands of both teacher and student, symbolizing the beauty of heritage and the importance of sustaining traditional crafts for future generations.
Image credits: The ARCH
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