‘Durga’, hand woven fabrics, Panchannagram Mahila Samity, West Bengal, Kantha workshop, 2015
ASIA PACIFIC CRAFT MASTERS AWARDS
Overview
The Craft Masters Awards is established as a recognition programme honouring outstanding dedication and excellence in craft practice across the Asia Pacific region. The awards are intended to recognise and honour those living artisans and artists who have committed their working lives to becoming a master of their chosen craft, and who have demonstrated technical excellence, innovation and extraordinary leadership among other qualities.
A brief overview of the Awards is presented on this page, and you can read more detailed information in the downloadable Guide Book document by clicking the button below.
About the Awards
The first Craft Masters Award was held in 2008 (Hangzhou) and then in 2012 (Suzhou), 2016 (Nanjing). In 2023, 60 craft master finalists had their work assessed by a skilled jury in Dongyang, China.
In 2027, the Craft Masters Awards for the Asia Pacific Region will be held again, this time presented as the ‘Asia Pacific Craft Masters Awards 2027’. These awards are intended to recognise and honour those living artisans and artists who have committed their working lives to becoming a master of their chosen craft and who have demonstrated particular qualities and fulfill the agreed criteria.
The programme is structured as a two-tier recognition system. The first stage consists of the Regional Craft Master Awards, organised within each APCA region to acknowledge exceptional artisans at the regional level. Recipients of these regional awards are subsequently eligible to be nominated for the International Asia Pacific Craft Master Award, which represents the programme’s highest level of recognition.
All nominations and regional assessments set to take place in 2026 and up to March 2027 at the latest.
Eligibility
The Awards are open to living artisans and artists who have committed their working lives to excellence in their chosen craft practice.
Candidates must meet the minimum experience requirements for the relevant award category:
Craft Master - Minimum of 20 years professional practice.
Honourable Craft Master - Minimum of 40 years professional practice.
Years of professional practice are counted from the point at which the artisan begins working independently in their craft. Early years of learning, apprenticeship, or training are not included.
Candidates must be residents of, or primarily practice within, the Asia Pacific region.
Candidates must be nominated by another individual or organisation. Self-nominations are not permitted
Criteria
The criteria covers topics including, but not limited to, the candidate’s:
Technical Skills & Excellence in Chosen Materials
Innovation & Invention
Leadership & Mentoring Roles
Teaching & Transfer of Craft Knowledge
Sustainable Practice & Circular Economy
National & International Recognition & Collaboration
Download the Guide Book to read the full list of criteria.
Serzhan Bashirov, master jeweller, Almaty Kazakhstan
Benefits
All winners of the Craft Master and Honourable Craft Master Awards receive a range of benefits.
These benefits include, but are not limited to:
Award certificate.
Profile feature in the APCA Craft Masters archives.
Recognition on the APCA website, newsletter and social media channels.
Complimentary APCA membership
Opportunities for future participation, presentation and/or juror duties.
And more…
Download the Guide Book to read the full list of benefits.
‘Happiness’ (detail), Korakott Aromdee, Thailand 2025
How To Nominate An Artist
Nominations are submitted through an official nomination form, either online or by email. The nomination process will require some collaboration between the nominator and candidate.
Visit our Nomination page to read more details, and to find a list of helpful resources that will assist both nominator and candidate through the process.
Make sure to read the Terms & Conditions before nominating. You can also download a pdf document of these terms.