NIFT holds outreach, capacity-building programmes to enhance artisans’ skills, market awareness

Srinagar, Mar 3: The National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), Srinagar is strengthening its engagement with Kashmir’s traditional craft communities through a series of outreach and capacity-building programmes aimed at enhancing artisans’ skills, market awareness, and livelihood opportunities.

Over the past few years, the institute has conducted capacity-building workshops in several districts of Jammu and Kashmir, focusing on upgrading technical skills of craftsmen and introducing them to contemporary design approaches.

“Through a range of outreach and capacity-building initiatives, the institute continues to work closely with artisans to enhance their skills, market understanding and opportunities within the evolving craft and design sector,” said Director NIFT Srinagar, Professor Monika Gupta.

According to the institute, artisan awareness workshops are regularly organised to familiarise craftsmen with key aspects such as market research, product positioning and identification of emerging market opportunities. These programmes help artisans align traditional craftsmanship with changing consumer preferences while retaining the cultural essence of their work.

NIFT officials said such initiatives are designed to groom artisans to create products that are both culturally rooted and relevant to contemporary markets, thereby adding value and wider visibility to their work. “We offer training programmes and educational pathways for artisans and their wards. Participation of artisans and their families in such initiatives helps strengthen the linkage between traditional craft communities and formal design education,” Gupta said.

Established in Kashmir in 2016, NIFT Srinagar has since been enrolling students from across the country and actively engaging with local craft clusters.

As part of its academic engagement, students are also undertaking craft cluster documentation projects to develop a deeper understanding of regional crafts and traditional practices. These projects provide valuable field exposure to students while enabling artisans to gain insights into current design trends, consumer preferences and evolving market dynamics.

Officials said the institute will continue to undertake such capacity-building and awareness initiatives depending on emerging opportunities and the needs of artisan communities.

Through these sustained efforts, NIFT Srinagar aims to contribute to the strengthening of the region’s craft ecosystem and the sustainable development of India’s rich craft heritage.