From heritage and craftsmanship to sustainability and wellbeing: what values do we attach to crafts?
As part of the Horizon Europe project Tracks4Crafts, and in collaboration with the Flemish project Crafting Futures, we are organising the international symposium “Values of Crafts: Unpacking Tensions in the Valuation of Craft Knowledge.”
The symposium will take place on 4–5 February 2027 at the University of Antwerp, Belgium.
Exploring the multiple values of crafts
Crafts are increasingly recognised and supported by a wide range of people, organisations and institutions. Nevertheless, craft knowledge and manual labour continue to face significant challenges and remain undervalued in many contexts.
The Values of Crafts symposium will critically examine the different ways in which crafts are understood and valued. It will explore the social, cultural, economic, educational, environmental and political values attributed to crafts, while also considering the tensions that can arise between these different perspectives.
The event aims to create space for dialogue across disciplines and between researchers and societal stakeholders. By bringing together diverse experiences and viewpoints, the symposium will contribute to identifying common ground and building bridges between different approaches to valuing crafts.
Call for Abstracts now open
Researchers, makers, heritage professionals, policymakers and other interested stakeholders are invited to submit contributions that explore, question and connect different perspectives on the value of crafts.
Contributions may present case studies or findings from wider research examining how crafts are valued across different contexts. Possible areas of discussion include craft knowledge and skills, cultural heritage, innovation, employment, sustainability, social cohesion, local and regional identity, creative processes and the roles of craftspeople and designers.
Submission details
Applicants should submit:
An abstract of approximately 300 words
A short biographical note of approximately 150 words
The deadline for abstract submissions is 15 October 2026.
Submissions should be sent via both email addresses:
Important dates
Abstract submission deadline: 15 October 2026
Notification of acceptance: 1 November 2026
Programme published online: 1 December 2026
International symposium: 4–5 February 2027
Further information about registration and the symposium is available on the Values of Crafts symposium website.
Know researchers, makers, heritage professionals, policymakers or others who might be interested? Please feel free to share this call with your networks, nationally and internationally.
