Professor, Dr. art- duodji, Gunvor Guttorm at Sami University College is leading a Thematic Network on Indigenous Arts and Crafts. The focus of the TN is to exchange knowledge and research about traditional art (handicraft, craft) and contemporary arts and crafts and a discussion of methodology of the field. The other focus is exchange of guest lecturers of the field and student exchange. Partners include University of Manitoba, Arctic State Institute of Culture and Art, Yakutsk, Russia, Saami Educational Center in Jokkmokk, Sweden, Saami Educational Center in Inari, Finland, Arctic College.

Overall Goal

• To be a thematic network that support indigenous arts and crafts, in a overall view and on individual level.
• To develop the education, research and the praxis in indigenous arts and crafts

Main Activities

• Curriculum develpoment for netbased education
• Workshops both in artistic work and on discoursive level
• Annual conferences

Activities in 2012

• Work shop between Sámi University College and University of Lapland in the beginning of April 2012.
• 30 credit course in Indigenous Arts and Crafts on line where the teachers come from Yakutsk, Canada and Sápmi
• Conference in duodji (Sami Arts and Crafts) will be held at Sámi University College in October- November 2012. The main focus will be on sámi duodji, but also other Indigenous arts and crafts will be on the agenda.

Partners

• Sámi University College (lead)
• Sami Education Institute
• University of Lapland
• Arctic State Institute of Arts and Culture