Artisan Innovation Workshop
The Artisan Innovation Workshop (or the Artisan Value Chain Toolkit) is a collaborative workshop to strengthen artisan businesses by mapping the artisan value chain, unpacking barriers and opportunities, and exploring new business solutions. This workshop is not just for artisans. It is for anyone seeking to strengthen artisan businesses, better understand issues impacting the artisan sector, or in search of new ways to improve livelihoods for artisans and the communities in which they work. The workshop uses human-centered design principles recommended in UNESCO's 2013 Creative Economy Report, including empathy building, story sharing, and co-creation techniques, to inspire collaboration and innovation across the artisan value chain.
The Artisan Innovation Workshop includes four activities to spark conversation and generate ideas to strengthen artisan businesses:
ACTIVITY 1
CREATE JOURNEY MAP
Create a visual map of the distinct activities involved in the artisan value chain, from sourcing raw materials to selling a finished product.
ACTIVITY 2
ESTABLISH EMPATHY
View the journey map from the perspective of key stakeholders to understand their needs, motivations, and aspirations at each stage of the journey.
ACTIVITY 3
BUSINESS INSIGHTS
Identify and analyze a business's key strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats at each stage of the journey.
ACTIVITY 4
DISCOVER SOLUTIONS
Brainstorm ideas to address key business insights across the value chain. Participants create a list of ideas to be implemented after the workshop.
Facilitate an Artisan Innovation Workshop
To facilitate an Artisan Innovation Workshop in your community, first download and read the Facilitator’s Guide, then use the resources below to guide your journey through the artisan value chain.
Activity 1: Journey Map template (for best results, print sized 24” by 36”)
Activity 1: Journey Map stickers (for best results, print on Avery round sticker paper)
Activity 2: Empathy Map worksheet
Activity 3: Business Insights worksheet
Activity 4: Solutions worksheet
share your results
Did you use the Artisan Innovation Workshop with your organization or partners? Please let us know more about your business and how you used this tool, and email photos of your journey maps to info@allianceartisan.org.