An annual event held since 1999, INACRAFT is an independent expo to showcase Indonesian handmade arts and crafts in a week’s worth of events. Over the years, INACRAFT has made specific efforts to also include traditional and Indigenous handmade crafters from all 34 provinces in Indonesia, a diverse archipelago of over 17,000 islands. The 2024 edition of INACRAFT also boasts a specific section for the young Indonesian entrepreneurs who are able to take its handmade arts and crafts into the global market.
Despite its socio-cultural and environmental riches, Indonesia is a developing nation with almost 10 percent of its population living below the poverty line. In such a nation, arts and crafts, especially traditional ones done by Indigenous communities, have gone unnoticed and are not considered a priority in the wake of more pressing needs. Initiatives such as INACRAFT help gain public appreciation of these traditions, most of which are fading, by showing that they can be viable ways to make a living. This is why INACRAFT is relevant to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals of Reduced Inequalities and Decent Work And Economic Growth.
Every year, INACRAFT is organized by the Association of Exporters and Producers of Indonesian Handicrafts (ASEPHI) for 5 days in October. In 2024, its main attraction, the expo, is split into 9 different zones at the Jakarta Convention Center (JCC). These zones are primarily divided by the different types of mediums of traditional arts and crafts. For example, a single zone is dedicated to jewelry, while another is dedicated to traditional food. A different zone is set up for traditional instruments and furniture, while specific Indonesian garments such as the batik and songket each get their own dedicated zones. Interactive seminars and workshops further enrich the line of events, ensuring that visitors will get to have firsthand experience with the different traditional arts and crafts.
INACRAFT plays a vital role in showcasing the richness of Indonesian handmade arts and crafts while also promoting the country’s cultural heritage. By featuring traditional crafters from across Indonesia’s diverse provinces and offering opportunities for young entrepreneurs, INACRAFT highlights the potential of these crafts as viable sources of income. The event raises awareness of fading traditions and fosters economic growth, particularly in communities that are often overlooked. At the end of the day, INACRAFT preserves culture while supporting local artisans and their economic well-being.
Find out more about INACRAFT and their initiatives on their website www.inacraft.co.id or Instagram @weareinacraft.