Economic Development
Building of Weaving Shelters
CTTC’s communities have been a special project since the founding of ATA in 1996. ATA’s grants funded the building of weaving shelters in six communities in the valley of Cusco. The adobe-walled structures with roofs and sanitary facilities, were crucial to the early success of CTTC: they provided a community center where weavers from outlying areas came together on a regular basis to learn, work, and give support to one another, protected from the elements. Each association governs its cooperative collectively and elects its own leadership to manage finances and decision-making. This structure encourages weavers to develop managerial and marketing skills.
Read about the newest community, Huacatinco, in our blog.
Fundraising Efforts for CTTC’s Cusco Building
ATA began a Capital Campaign in 2002 with the goal of raising $500,000. Through the generosity of many donors, those funds made possible the purchase of a building in downtown Cusco, Peru. This textile center houses a retail shop selling the weavers’ textiles, administrative offices, an educational center, permanent collections, oral history and photo archives, weavers dormitories for visiting weavers, and a museum exhibit. To the great pride of the weavers and their families, the center and museum was formally dedicated in July 2005. Tourists and locals visit the shop and museum to learn about the rich heritage of Andean textiles, observe weavers as they work, and purchase exquisite textiles.