This is a time of celebration: the pandemic has abated both here and in the Andes. It is fall there, and the weaving communities are bringing in the harvest, the children are returning to in-person school, and tourism is beginning to return. The weavers are looking with hope towards a more secure future, a future that you can help them create.

As part of its 2022/2023 grant requests, the Center for Traditional Textiles of Cusco (CTTC) has asked for our support in creating an internship program for young weavers, aimed at developing the next generation of leadership for the CTTC and its network of weaving communities. This pilot program will bring six college-age young people into the center as paid interns. During their nine-month internship, they will be involved in all areas of the CTTC operations: education, community development, inventory and product management, product design, information technology (IT) and institutional image (what we would call marketing).

Interns will be chosen from among the ten CTTC weaving communities. They will develop professional skills through interaction with colleagues, business partners, the weaving communities, and the public, both in the retail stores and online. Most important, they will experience the “big picture” of how the CTTC functions and fulfills its mission, bringing that perspective back to their communities and preparing them to be future leaders of the organization if they choose that path.

The ATA Spring Appeal aims to raise $22,000 to help support this important program. We already have pledges of $11,000 in matching funds from the ATA board and a generous donor who is passionate about supporting ongoing education for young weavers. We ask you to join us in helping to build a bright future for these young weavers and their communities.

With deepest gratitude,
The volunteers of Andean Textile Arts