ArteCarste: Generating income through local craftworks in the region of the caves

The name “Carste” is given to a geographic system composed by caverns, sinkholes, water with large amount of calcareous, rocks with optimal properties for fossilization and, specifically in Minas, the presence of a wonderful culture.

The Project ArteCarste was idealized to give strength, potential, and introduce to the world this unique culture. Its main objective was to promote local craftworks and make it become a real source of income for the families of the Tourist Circuit of the Caves. The project intends to improve the quality of the art works, and as a consequence, increase the life quality of the artists by valorising their work and helping their financial independence.

The work began in 2012 as a proposal of the association Tourist Circuit of the Caves, headed by Raízes and sponsored by TAM airlines and Cimentos Brennand.

The area has a notably fragile environment, marked by rich archaeological and paleontological patrimony. For this reason, activities like livestock and extensive agriculture could potentially damage the environmental and archaeological patrimony.

Considering those factors, the craftwork comes up as a solution for the increase of local income without offering any risk to the nature.

Relevant benefits of this project were the qualification of the workers, the development of interpersonal relationships and the collaborative effort for creative brainstorm and entrepreneurship.