About the Swedish Crafts Centre
Åsa Elmstam • Vad är jag värd?
Founded in 1990 the Swedish Crafts Centre is the only occupational organisation for practicing craft artists and sloyders in Sweden. We have offices in Stockholm, Gothenburg, and Malmö. We promote more than 850 members through public events, exhibitions, and mediation efforts, and give support through coaching, professional development, and by networking opportunities. Our goal is to strengthen the status of crafts and contribute to improving the economic situation for practitioners in the field.
Definition of craft
Craft can encompass utilitarian objects, sculptural pieces, spatial installations, and public commissions, all with a common foundation in craft as a platform for knowledge. Contemporary craft has evolved from specific, historically functional trades. it is both rooted in and challenges these material-based traditions – primarily within ceramics, glass, metal, textiles, paper, and wood. Craft is an independent field of art and knowledge that has undergone expansive development during the 21st century, particularly in Sweden. Specialized university programs in craft generate a strong professional corps, and for over a decade, the field has also been established as an academic research area. In parallel, solid vocational and apprenticeship programs contribute to professional establishment.
Finance & Collaboration
Our operations are funded through support from the Swedish Arts Council, Region Stockholm, Region Skåne, Region Västra Götaland and Region Norrbotten. We represent Sweden in the ECA (European Crafts Alliance) and on the Michelangelo Foundation’s Cultural Council. The Swedish Crafts Centre is also a member of the NNCA (The Nordic Network of Crafts Associations), together with our sister organizations in the other Nordic countries: Norske Kunsthåndverkere and Norwegian Crafts (NO), Danske Kunsthåndværkere & Designere (DK), Ornamo (FI), and Handverk og Hönnun (IS).
The Board
The board consists of representatives from industry organizations, the business sector, universities, and media, as well as representatives elected by the members themselves.
Board Members
Susanne Helgesson
Freelance Journalist and Communicator
Chairperson
susanne.helgeson@telia.com
Moa Lönn
Craft Artist
Deputy Chair
Agnieszka Knap
Senior Lecturer in Craft at
Konstfack University of Arts Crafts & Design
Nina Westman
Glass artist
Appointed by the Artists’ Association of Sweden
Maja Heuer
Project manager KKN
Deputies
Petter Rhodiner
Craft artist
Ellen Dynebrink
Textile artist
Appointed by members
August Sörenson
Ceramist
Appointed by the Artists’ Association of Sweden