The motto of the Norwegian Folk Art and Craft Association – “We shape the future” – was adopted after a vote during our National Conference in 2004. But what does it mean?

The motto is based on our common view that successful innovation is rooted in awareness and accurate knowledge of history and traditions. As a movement, we are attentive to modern design and the development of new products, but we also emphasize the long historic lines in the field of Norwegian handicraft. We particularly emphasize the need to preserve and convey the knowledge and skills within the area of our most important techniques; and also the ones that are less known; in the field of arts and crafts. This is our most important mandate as an organization.

The cradle of design

The motto expresses how the Norwegian Folk Art and Craft Association presently relates to history and our current time; to the traditions and to innovation. Folk art and craft is the cradle of design! When we teach handicraft techniques to children and youngsters, we are shaping the future. When we use the folk art and craft traditions to inspire innovation, we are shaping the future. And when we create meeting grounds that trenscend gender, age and cultures; we are shaping the future!