Business is the first to answer the challenges; education is an instrument to prepare the answers.
The craftsmen community answered the current challenges by the establishment of the Crafting Business Makers School (CBMS), the first online school for craftsmen and art professionals. The school helps master the skills critical for making a successful business out of art and craft.

Olena Kirianova, the academic director of the CBMS shared her impression after the first intake during the international online seminar “The Crafting Business” conducted within the framework of the Crafting Europe partnership program:

“Due to the online format, we could attract participants from many places that were impossible offline. We managed to turn the challenges into opportunities as the pilot group was truly diverse. The needs varied from those of the beginners’ to those ready to roll out nationally or even internationally. Sharing the experience has become an important element of the program,” Olena Kirianova told about her working at the program.

Guest speakers made the school special. They brought their real-life cases to the classroom and were very open about their experiences. These school graduates will become guest speakers at future programs.

The assistance and mentoring of the Handicraft Chamber of Ukraine leaders Maryna Popovich and Elizaveta Miroshnychenko, both MIM-Kyiv graduates were valuable indeed. Participants had a chance to analyze their situations in-depth, outline their growth strategies, and learn how to apply financial tools. They summarized that in the Book of Craft which they created.

"We strongly believe that the newly acquired skills will help them to develop a successful business out of their craft,” Olena Kirianova said.

30 students were selected for the first CBMS. 27 of them completed the course by defending their final projects and will be awarded by MIM-Kyiv’s certificates.

The first intake of the Crafting Business Makers School proved to be a success as many craftsmen are inquiring about the next program.