The inaugural forum of Craft Collective, an institution-led movement to improve India’s craft ecosystem, would be held in Kolkata from January 29 to February 1, 2026.

The announcement was made in the presence of Mr. Subhradeep Das, Managing Partner, Red Strategy Partners, Ms. Avantika Jalan, Founder, The Red Bari, and Mr. Ishan Pattanaik, Founder & Creative Head, Karu.

To bridge the gap between traditional craft clusters and modern global markets, the Foundation for MSME Clusters (FMC), in collaboration with Karu, Red Strategy Partners, and The Red Bari, Kolkata, organizes Craft Collective, which is funded by Cisco under the India Cash Grant Program.

The four-day forum will take place across several levels of interaction, such as masterclasses, cultural performances, conversation sessions, curated exhibitions, and a marketplace. Participating artisan clusters from various parts of India, including Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, and Assam, will give visitors a chance to interact directly with local craft practitioners and traditions.

Because of its long history as a hub for trade, textiles, and cross-cultural interaction, Kolkata was selected as the launch city. “Craft, ideas, and artistic practices have long been transported across borders through the city. By starting Craft Collective here, we can honor that tradition while creating new, modern avenues for the future,” said Sagnik Lahiri, General Manager of Foundation of MSME Clusters.

Leading figures in the textile and craft industry, such as Bengali textile legend Nandita Raja and Indian textile entrepreneur Shri Vikram Joshi, are anticipated to attend the summit. The Consul Generals of France and Italy are among the notable guests, and senior diplomatic participation is also anticipated.

Designers, buyers, retailers, cultural practitioners, students, and members of the larger creative community are all invited by Craft Collective to join the forum and interact with India’s rich and varied craft traditions through discussion, exploration, and cooperation.

Priyanka Dutta