Our Crafting Futures programme in Malaysia is part of the wider regional programme, which aims to empower women in the crafts sector in South East Asia by providing inclusive opportunities through design and creative enterprise development to help increase their social and economic well-being and revitalise their cultural assets.
Malaysia is home to a diversity of crafts with their own techniques and identity. However, the craft sector is facing numerous challenges that undermine its future. Malaysian artisans feel under-supported, under-valued, and subsequently struggle to adapt to product innovation or international demand. The entire sector struggles to attract the next generation of artisans. Crafting Futures Malaysia aims to address the need for product design innovation and youth engagement.
Working with the Institute of Design Innovation at Glasgow School of Art, the programme will focus on supporting the new generation of artisans from the National Craft Institute (IKN) through capacity building and design innovation workshops, local, regional and UK exchanges (internships and cross disciplinary exchanges), and networking events with industry and other educational institutions. This pilot project will help IKN become a creative hub for vocational students and a catalyst of creativity for the craft sector.
