Crafts in the Netherlands: From an Economic to a Value-Based Perspective

Crafts in the Netherlands have undergone a period of neglect. Because of the dominance of the market, crafts were considered to be part of the old economy and to lack the innovation and productivity gain that the new economy required. Moreover, arts downplayed craftsmanship as a quality. As a consequence, the crafts were marginalized. From 2010 onwards, however, there has been a re-appreciation of crafts at the political, educational and practical level. New grassroots organizations represent the sector. Designers produce inside their workshop, re-positioning crafts within Holland. The economic impact of the crafts sector is acknowledged. Still, some changes are necessary, especially in education, to improve artisans’ skills as well as their entrepreneurial capacity and favour the valorization of crafts.