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Creation of the National Institute of Arts and Crafts
Frederic Mitterrand, Minister of Culture and Communication and Hervé Novelli, Secretary of State Responsible for Trade, Handicraft, Small and Medium Enterprises, Tourism, and Consumer Affairs Services announced the creation of the National Institute of Arts and Crafts and a series of measures
for this sector.
The National Institute of Arts and Crafts (INMA), a structure with unique responsibility for crafts will be initiated cooperatively by the current SEMA (Society for the Encouragement of Arts and Crafts) and Mission Craftsmanship of the Ministry of Culture and Communication.
Chaired by Jean-Michel DELISLE, under the direction of Marie-Hélène FREMONT, this institute will have four main tasks:
• Develop expertise on craft and the know-how to foster its development and dissemination among professionals, the general public and schools;
• Animate all Craftsmanship networks with all stakeholders (professional services);
• Develop the promotion of crafts nationally and internationally;
• Explore new fields of cultural development in the areas of Art, Design and Fashion Arts.
The plan for craft that followed Senator Catherine Dumas’ report on crafts, has been initiated at the request of Prime Minister Francois Fillon who abegan by deciding to make Craftsmanship Days an annual meeting, like the heritage days, every first weekend of April. The next will be held in April 2011.
The structuring element of this policy for Craft Art is bringing together the two departments responsible for Culture and Handicrafts. By creating INMA, a co-operative structure, it will finally be possible to establish in France a vigorous policy to develop, communicate and do business like this, which expresses the French genius, which is the image of France abroad.
The development of craft must especially be taken note of by companies, both for its development and for the safeguarding of heritage.
For the development of craft, the Ubifrance agreement signed November 18, 2009 will enable international development of companies labelled Living Heritage Businesses (EPV).
This development will also see a strong representation of professionals, both within the new association of EPV, chaired by Arnaud Marion, and within organizations representing crafts, which are united in a National Union.
It is especially necessary to preserve the traditional know-how, the work of the hand that makes up our intangible assets which cannot disappear. We must encourage the continuation of these companies, foster youth training and learning, promote access to credit for small enterprises.
Frederic Mitterrand: "Reviving the image of crafts and develop collaborations with artists, designers and art of fashion, these are the ways that we are pleased to begin with INMA for excellence in French expertise.
Hervé Novelli: "this merger marks a new dynamic to support the crafts that are one of the essential bases of French intangible heritage. Representing over 38 000 companies and nearly 100 000 people, they are a major focus of the French economy.
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