Ambacht in Beeld Festival
The Ambacht in Beeld Festival was founded in 2013 and has grown into a major event with workshops and masterclasses by local and international craftspeople. Unique to the festival is that the focus is not on sale of products, but on the exchange of knowledge and skills. For all ages. Organized in Amsterdam and Brussels (and twice in NYC).
Besides the festival we organize Education Days. Annual large-scale events where students from pre-vocational, general secondary, and pre-university education are introduced to craft-based vocational training through various creative workshops. Stichting Ambacht in Beeld started this initiative to generate more awareness, visibility, appreciation and inflow for small-scale craft vocational training courses.
Links with craft sector
The Ambacht in Beeld Foundation aims to promote and maintain craftsmanship in a sustainable and inspiring way, to facilitate all kinds of encounters and cross-pollination, and to foster an appreciation for artisanal mastery among many people of all ages. Furthermore, it supports all activities related to, pertaining to, and/or contributing to these activities in the broadest sense.
The Foundation strives to achieve its goals by organizing events, debates, symposia, educational activities, and similar activities. The Foundation is not for profit.
Materials
Ceramic handicrafts, Glass craftmanship, Fibre and textile handicrafts, Metal craftmanship, Leather processing, Wood craftmanship, Stone craftmanship, Paper crafts (e.g. origami), Needlework (e.g. crochet)
Engagement
Funding, Promoting/Showcasing, Training/Educating, Collaborating, Mentoring, Advocating
Activities
We also organized film festivals, filmworkshops for children, symposia et cetera.
Projects
Eleven editions of the Festival in the Netherlands, with over 100 participating craftspeople annually and thousands of visitors.
Four education days, with significant growth in enrollment in craft education.
Networks
Co-founder of Ambachtelijk Vakmanschap Nederland, foundation to strengthen the whole craft sector in the Netherlands.