Editor's Note
This editor’s note highlights the key facts and market implications behind “Artistic Craftsmanship: From Capodimonte and Mon”, with emphasis on sourcing, product fit, fabrication, logistics, or buyer impact.
Tuscan workshop-schools, training centers for ceramics in Montelupo Fiorentino and Capodimonte, and the Arezzo jewelry district: these are the experiences that will be shared during the conference "Education, Training, Skills for the Artistic Craftsmanship Sector," scheduled for April 27 (10:00 AM) at the Teatrino Lorenese of the Fortezza Da Basso in Florence during the 90th edition of the International Handicrafts Exhibition (MIDA).
The goal is to explore and reflect on the creation and transmission of skills and enterprises, and the link between manufacturing tradition and technological innovation, starting from education and training. The initiative focuses on the heritage of knowledge and the importance of "know-how" in artistic craftsmanship, a foundational sector of Made in Italy, beginning with the valorization of young talents, the transmission of artisanal knowledge, and the gap between training and businesses.
“It is through the transfer of knowledge, the meeting between master artisans and young talents, and integration with new technologies that the excellence of ‘know-how’ can continue to be an ambassador of Made in Italy in the world. This conference represents an important opportunity for discussion to chart new paths capable of consolidating the link between education, business, and territory and giving new life to one of the most spectacular cultural and productive heritages of our country.”
Several case studies will be presented, such as the Arezzo jewelry district, the Caselli Palizzi Arts Center and the ITS MA.DE. Academy in Capodimonte, the Tuscan workshop-school, the School of Ceramics, IFTS, and the incubator of Montelupo Fiorentino.
The event is organized by Firenze Fiera, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Merit and with the support of Artex – Center for Artistic Craftsmanship of Tuscany, as part of the Made in Italy Days.
“Artistic craftsmanship,” says Paola Frassinetti, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Education and Merit, “represents an extraordinary synthesis of talent, creativity, and cultural identity, and is one of the pillars of Made in Italy that the school is called to transmit and enhance. With the 4+2 reform, we are strengthening this path to build a real bridge between school and work, while with the law establishing ITS, we have enriched the educational offering by including numerous sectors of our high craftsmanship, including the artistic one.”
“We strongly believe in the strategic value of training, the true engine of continuity and innovation for artistic craftsmanship,” declares Lorenzo Becattini, President of Firenze Fiera.
“A morning of discussion on truly central themes for thinking about the future of craftsmanship,” explains Bernard Dika, Undersecretary to the Presidency of the Tuscany Region. “The challenge is among the most complex: bringing the art and creativity born in Tuscany from Renaissance workshops into the era of Artificial Intelligence. What training, what skills, but also what appeal for contemporary youth? These are questions we cannot avoid, to which we must respond with a vision of the future that cannot disregard an essential element that has always characterized Made in Tuscany and Made in Italy: excellence.”
“Italy needs new strategies in education and training for the artistic craftsmanship sectors, which are foundational for Made in Italy, but for which the issues of skills transmission, enterprise creation and transmission, and training of specialized labor for more structured manufacturers are becoming increasingly pressing,” states Elisa Guidi, Coordinator of Artex and Artistic Director of MIDA 90. “One of the conference’s objectives is to verify how much the new educational systems – the ITS Academy system and the Made in Italy High Schools – can respond to the sector’s training needs. In addition, we also want to reflect on how to bring more young people closer to this world through innovative educational paths and a constant and constructive relationship with the business world.”
The morning will open with greetings from Firenze Fiera President Becattini, Tuscany Region President Eugenio Giani, Undersecretary Frassinetti, and Luciano Tagliaferri, Director General of the Regional School Office for Tuscany, Luca Tonini, President of CNA Toscana, Ferrer Vannetti, President of Confartigianato Imprese Toscana, and Andrea Cavani, Casa del made in Italy of Florence.
Following this, Giuseppe Furlanis, President of the National Design Table of the Ministry of University and Research, will speak on "The Evolution of the Education and Training System for Artistic Craftsmanship in Italy"; Gianluca Lombardo, Manager of the General Directorate for Technical and Vocational Education and Higher Technical Training of the Ministry of Education and Merit, will discuss "The Role of Technical Education for the Development of Craftsmanship"; Stefano Micelli, Full Professor at Ca’ Foscari University of Venice, Coordinator of the ITS 4.0 project, will address "The Role of ITS for the Competitiveness of Italian High Craftsmanship"; and Michele Ruccuglia, Director of the Foundation for Enterprises and Skills for Made in Italy, will illustrate the "Connection between Enterprises, Skills, and the Training System."
The conclusions will be entrusted to Undersecretary Dika.
Source: Read the original article | Published: April 17, 2026