HANDICRAFT SERVICES – CULTURE, SKILL

Finland has a unique nationwide crafts industry organisation - a national craft network which, throughout the year, offers craft schools to children, youths and adults, courses, workshops, exhibitions, crafts products, materials and a wide variety of craft ideas - providing everyone with an excellent opportunity for a lifetime’s learning of skills.

The 21 Crafts Associations and their handicraft centres serve the needs of both amateur enthusiasts and professionals - children, students and those making things for their own use - in all aspects of the work, from materials acquisition to product marketing. Our staff have received high level professional training in the crafts sector.

Finland’s craft culture is obvious in our activities as a strong tradition of expertise, the use of natural materials, and the use and updating of traditional techniques and models. In exhibitions, competitions and work demonstrations we demonstrate and promote local and regional culture and our national identity. Craft skills contribute towards a person’s development; they form a tool for self-expression and life’s highlights and experiences. For a large number of people, crafts represent skills for coping with life and constitute a hobby or profession. Craft skills can be learned at handicraft schools for children and youths, on courses, and at workshops.

At the full service workshops pupils are able to quickly make products for their own personal use: materials, tools, models and instruction are all part of the package. At craft schools and on courses people can learn all the stages of the manufacturing process required for carrying out work independently.

Crafts provides a livelihood for around 30,000 artisans. The Crafts Associations promote this kind of business by training, counselling, and marketing handicrafts. A network of trained Taito business advisors is responsible for the organisation’s business services. Craft marketing outlets vary from local handicraft centre shops and events to international trade fair stands. The Crafts Associations are the main organisers of domestic crafts trade fairs and other sales events. The Association’s shops and sales offices market crafts, tools and materials. 

Enquire about handicraft services in any particular area of Finland from the local Crafts Association.

Local Associations (Contact Information)