Through the centuries, people in every culture across the world have used their natural resources to create works of beauty and function for personal adornment, home decoration and spiritual ritualism. In an era of mass production and global economics, owning products created by artisans steeped in ancient craftworking traditions offers many customers a stronger sense of quality, history and uniqueness. For the artisans, especially those in developing countries, the desire to sustain craftworking skills shared with their ancestors and a need for economic stability and growth keep crafting traditions alive. Between the customer and the artisan, Aid to Artisans (ATA) has developed the reputation of mediator.
 Founded in 1976, the not-for-profit organization works with artisans in over 100 countries around the world. By utilizing the assistance of industry professionals already in the field, ATA keeps overhead low and directs most funding toward training, product development and new business grants. In 2001, 84% of the organization's $3 million budget, drawn mainly from the United States Agency for International Development and private donors, was passed to artisans.
ATA focuses on product development and design, training, linking artisans to the world market and creating sustainable non-government trade organizations. Staff members and consultants keep a watchful eye on market and pricing trends and share extensive experience dealing with large-scale U.S. and European buyers. Since many artisans have limited access to the outside world, a liason with knowledge of global demands often makes the difference between stunning handmade items people admire and functional handmade items customers buy and use.
 Leslie Mittleberg, founder of Swahili Imports, consults for ATA in several African countries. Crafts groups and companies that show promise as ATA partners are investigated for several key elements, including sufficient personnel and supplies, openness to new designs, export and large-scale production capacity and dependable communications systems. After funding is secured through ATA, Leslie and the artisans work together brainstorming and creating samples of products that utilize popular colors and functions while incorporating symbols, materials and patterns specific to the group of artisans creating them.
ATA consultants provide much more than design suggestions. Training artisans in modern business practices and technology proves invaluable to many crafters, their families and their communities. In some countries, craft groups assisted by ATA are reviving broken economies and empowering entire nations of citizens, including repressed women.
 ATA also supports craft market development through introduction and support of artisans at the New York International Gift Fair, the world's premiere meeting place for exporters, wholesalers, artisans and retailers. By providing training on sales, presentation and decorum, ATA has helped create many important links between willing artisans and the customers of the world. Twenty-two years have witnessed an increased ATA budget and hundreds of craft organizations around the world strengthened. More important, millions of lives have been positively impacted by a chance to sell to the world.
ATA has always meant business, yet for all its growth and expansion, the programs have never lost sight of the individual artisans. They dream of selling their products in the world market as they struggle to eke out a living in the rainforests of South and Central America, the war-ravaged and economically distressed cities of the former Soviet Union and the many climates of Africa's vastness. They live in India, Pakistan, the Caribbean, Europe, Russia, along the Pacific Rim and in the United States--and ATA will always put their needs and best interests first.
"From Maker to Market: Aid to Artisans"
|
