Giampiero Maracchi

The Osservatorio dei Mestieri d’Arte was founded in Florence in 2001 as a structured collection of projects developed by Ente Cassa di Risparmio in Florence. Its aim was to promote the arts and crafts sector and create a European network of institutions to promote the understanding of different cultural identities, to further and explore the issues of quality production and to provide training. In 2010 OmA become a non-profit organisation of banking foundations with offices and specialised personnel in Florence at Ente Cassa di Risparmio. The Association offers the “OmA” magazine and web portal to promote arts and crafts in the various regions.

The Osservatorio runs a series of cultural and promotional initiatives focused on raising awareness, providing information, conducting research and preserving the region’s identity. It aims to optimise and promote the arts and crafts sector, creating an Italian and European network of institutions to promote understanding of different cultural identities and exploring the themes of production quality, the economy and training.

The Osservatorio also aims to monitor history, tradition, techniques, projects and innovations in the arts and crafts world, analysing future prospects and relations with the market, research organisations, schools and student training courses, as well as publishing informative books regarding the themes and techniques of arts and crafts and to organise conventions, conferences and meetings to explore the opportunities and problems facing the arts and crafts sector.

Institutions for the Métiers d’Art

An award to public and private organisations for particular merit in the protection and promotion of arts and crafts