Int. Initiative
for Georgian
Cultural Studies
The program in progress since 1996
- To develop Creative Industries in Georgia
- To enhance the economic viability of cultural institutions, crafts people, and crafts-based small and medium enterprises
- To support the creation of creative industries infrastructure
- To preserve, revive and develop Georgian traditional technologies
- To develop local market
- To gain access to the international markets
- To promote Georgian creative industries
2007 - The East International Exhibition of Jewelry "Emerald", Tbilisi, Georgia - Gold Medal and Diploma for the best display;
2005, 2006 - “Museum Expression” Paris, France;
2005, 2002, 1996 - “NewYork Gift Fair” New York, US;
2004 - Conference and Expo of Museum Store Association. US;
2004, 2002, 2000, 1998 - “Artigiano del Fiera” Milan, Italy;
2001 - “Tendence” Frankfurt, Germany;
2001 - “Exhibition of the Export Opportunities of Three Caucasus Republics in Japan” supported by JETRO; Tokyo, Japan;
2000, 1999 - “2nd & 3rd Meetings of Craftsmen”, Bassano Del Grappa, Italy
1999 - Euro Arts99, Madrid, Spain;
1998 - “1st Summit of European and Lathin American Craftsmen” Zaragoza, Spain;
1998 - “Exhibition/Sale of Decorative-applied arts and Georgian Traditional Crafts” Sanct Petersburg, Russian Federation;
1997 - “Exhibition/Sale of Decorative-applied arts and Georgian Traditional Crafts” Tabakhmela International Complex, Georgia;
1997 - “Exhibition/Sale of Decorative-applied arts and Georgian Traditional Crafts” Gudaury sport-complex, Georgia;
The Creative Industries and Crafts Development Program is one of the GACC's main activities. Cultural Industries has been an integral part of the cultural history of Georgia; among the treasures left behind by ancient civilizations that are currently on displays and storages of the different museums of Georgia, and the traditions kept in of folk-art, reflect the brilliant craftsmanship and creativity of yesteryear; during the centuries this production has been a source not only of cultural pride but also of economic livelihood, exchange of ideas and creativity. Georgia’s heritage includes a legacy of finely made crafts that use rich and diverse techniques for weaving, ceramic making, wood-carving, jewelry, painting, engraving etc.
The GACC through the trainings, collaboration in product development, production and marketing, offers the practical assistance to foster artistic traditions, to raise cultural vitality, to improve economical viability of cultural institutions, crafts based enterprises and crafts community. , the GACC helps increase the economic viability of the Georgian crafts sector.
GACC cooperates with more than 600 individual artisans and crafts based businesses all over Georgia are represented, including professional craftsmen, crafts-based studios and workshops, small and medium enterprises, women, inmates, and orphans and disabled children.
The GACC has helps to facilitate International exhibitions of the Georgian cultural gifts as well as to develop the local market within Georgia. The GACC provides local marketing, competition and sales through the Christmas Gift Fairs and the GACC Gift Shop. GACC regularly participates in International Gift and Craft Fairs to increase sales of Georgian goods and acts as an exporter of Georgian crafts products to international crafts markets.
The New Project Under the British Council's
"Creative Collaboration" Programme
The new project "Development of Cultural Industries in the South Caucasus countries through the introduction of UK experience" within the frames of British Council's "Creative Collaboration" programme was launched in April, 2009. The project will focus on cooperation of the museums and producers of the partner countries - Armenia, Turkey, Georgia and UK in the field of the cultural industries, namely museum reproductions and traditional crafts that serve as a source for creative exchanges and economic benefits - not only for cultural institutions, but also individual producers, artists and artisans.
The long term goal of the project is to turn these craft traditions into
creative and business joint ventures, using the extensive expertise and experience of the UK and other western countries. It is anticipated the merchandise ranges will be sold through various retailers such as museum shops, galleries and design led retailers in the UK and beyond. In the longer term there may also be opportunities for the craftspeople and designer/makers of the 3 participating countries to work with UK craftspeople and designer/makers through some exchange programme or meeting at trade shows in the UK.
See more
May 26-27, 2005 - Development of Cultural Industries;
the Case of Museum Sources and Traditional Crafts; The Roundtable Meeting; UNESCO Moscow Office for Armenia , Azerbaijan , Belarus , Georgia , the Republic of Moldova , and the Russian Federation in collaboration with the Arts and Culture Network Program, Open Society Institute Budapest
2002 -Cultural Heritage, Crafts, Cultural Tourism and Poverty Marginalization in Georgia, Finalist of the World Bank competition, Development Marketplace - 2002
2002 - Creation of the Museum Reproductions Line. Philip Morris/ATA
2000-2001 - Development of the Export of Georgian Crafts Through the Improvement of Product Quality, Business Training, and Marketing, GEPA/GTZ
2000 - Solution of the Problems of Inmates Labour in Georgia Through Georgian Traditional Crafts, Know How Fund
1997-98 - Development and Marketing of Georgian Traditional Crafts, Eurasia Foundation
1997-98 - Development of Georgian Traditional Crafts, Save the Children/USAID