> [!Meta]+ Meta > PageType:: #organisation > Country:: #Indonesia > Website:: https://www.meetthemakers.id/ ### About Meet the Makers Indonesia (MTM) is a collective of artists,  artisans, artisan advocates and designers that support the “craft as art” tradition where the creation of crafts come with deeply rooted cultural ties. In past years, MTM has organized cultural, educational events with fairs that allow artisans to share their talent and also market their craft as art pieces. During the pandemic where such gatherings were not possible, MTM organized webinars, auctions and live online training sessions to assist artisans express their traditional art practices as well as support their livelihoods. Meet the Makers (“MtM”) was founded by a group of artists in a small pendopo building in Kemang in 2004.  At the core of MtM’s establishement was the desire to bring together indigenous artisans and contemporary artists committed to utilizing traditional Indonesian craft techniques.  Ever since the colonial period, crafts had been dismissed as being “low art”. It was MtM’s intention to unite artisans and artists under the umbrella of traditional techniques and to dismantle the wall that had divided crafts and art. At the heart of MtM’s efforts is the desire to create a path for the continued regeneration of and understanding of Indonesian culture for coming generations.  Each day during MtM events, numerous demonstrations, workshops, discussions, and films about the artisans are scheduled to amplify the experience of visitors.  Traditional music performances further enrich the atmosphere. Ultimately, Meet the Makers provides a forum for collaborative exchanges of knowledge, stories, and experiences between artists, artisans, and the general public.