Irthi expands presence of Emirati crafts in cultural landscape

December 04, 2025 / 1:47 PM

Sharjah24: The experience of the Irthi Contemporary Crafts Council over the past ten years reveals that the human capital of women artisans represents a comprehensive developmental force. Irthi adopts an integrated model that combines empowerment, innovation, international partnerships, and skills transfer. It reinforces the belief that investing in craftswomen is an investment in cultural, social and economic capital, and that building a sustainable economy requires human production systems rooted in identity.

Celebrating ten years of craft excellence

This year, Irthi continues to celebrate its tenth anniversary through more than seven international and local events held in Sharjah, London, Basel and Moscow. The Council has also signed five new strategic partnerships, launched new product collections merging heritage aesthetics with contemporary innovation, and organised workshops and panel discussions featuring leading experts in design and craft culture.

Cultural and creative industries as a pillar of economic resilience

Irthi believes that investment in cultural and heritage industries is essential to strengthening the resilience and sustainability of the national economy, particularly amid accelerating global changes. As handicrafts combine local knowledge with community expertise, they generate added value on both cultural and economic levels.

Through documentation and publishing programmes—such as Palm Fibres, Recipes for the Future, and Culture Engineering—and through more than 60 educational workshops in 2024 benefiting around 1,400 people, Irthi works to expand the reach of crafts, integrating them into the knowledge and innovation economy and redefining the relationship between people and their heritage from a contemporary perspective.

A driving force for economic and social development

Her Excellency Reem BinKaram, General Director of Irthi , said: “Since the Council was founded by the wife of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah, Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Irthi Contemporary Crafts Council, we have believed that Emirati craft heritage carries within it a powerful capacity to support both economic and social development. It is an authentic resource that strengthens identity and creates sustainable opportunities for women and society. Guided by this noble mission, Irthi works to build integrated production systems that empower craftswomen, develop skills, and expand international partnerships, ensuring that society itself becomes an active partner in the comprehensive development path we aspire to in the UAE.”

International partnerships to strengthen national craft heritage

Recognising that building human capital requires openness to global expertise, Irthi has established strategic international partnerships with world-renowned design houses such as Bulgari, Cartier, Design Miami, and Asprey, placing Emirati crafts within a respected global context.

These partnerships have showcased Emirati craftsmanship in prestigious international platforms, including Maison des Expositions – Paris, London Design Week, Dubai Design Week, and major events in Moscow, Shanghai, Milan and São Paulo.

Through this approach, the Council demonstrates that investing in Emirati craftswomen through its diverse programmes creates genuine economic value based on creativity and knowledge. This aligns with global pillars of sustainable growth and inclusive economic development, and reflects the UAE’s vision of integrating crafts into the knowledge economy.

Building a talent-based, Craft-led economy

In doing so, Irthi establishes a distinctive developmental model for building an economy driven by the talent and skills of women artisans. The Council aims to prepare creative professionals who transform heritage into innovation, crafts into developmental opportunities, and position women at the heart of a future-ready economy.