The Craft Study Program at Institut Seni Indonesia (ISI) Yogyakarta is one of the higher education institutions in the arts that has deep historical roots, as well as being the main driver in the dynamics of the development of craft art in Indonesia. The existence of this program is not only a place for learning skills, but also as a dialectical space between tradition and innovation, between local context and global art cosmopolitanism. To understand the depth of the history and contribution of this program, we need to trace its path from the birth of the Indonesian Academy of Fine Arts (ASRI) in the mid-20th century to become an important part of ISI Yogyakarta as we know it today.

The Pioneering Period at ASRI (1950-1970s): The Beginning of Craft in the Academic World

The origin of the Craft Study Program stems from the establishment of the Indonesian Academy of Fine Arts (ASRI) in Yogyakarta in 1950. ASRI was the first art education institution in Indonesia founded by important figures such as Soedarso SP, Hendra Gunawan, and Affandi. Born in the post-independence period, ASRI symbolized the spirit of the Indonesian people to build a national cultural identity through art education. Although ASRI initially focused more on painting and fine art, the spirit to develop the realm of applied art or craft was already evident from the introduction of basic skills courses oriented towards handicrafts and material exploration.

At this time, craft was not yet established as a discipline in its own right, but was instead scattered across various engineering and skills courses. However, it is important to note that ASRI lecturers and students began to show great interest in traditional media such as textiles, wood, and metal, which later became the rationale for the birth of the Craft Study Program. Craft at this time was used more as part of artistic experimentation and a tool for understanding the visual culture of the archipelago.

Transformation into ISI Yogyakarta (1984): The birth of the Art Craft Study Program

The year 1984 was an important turning point in the history of art education in Indonesia. Three independent art academies - ASRI (Indonesian Academy of Fine Arts), AMI (Indonesian Academy of Music) and ASTI (Indonesian Academy of Dance) - were merged into one large institution called Institut Seni Indonesia (ISI) Yogyakarta. This merger is part of the government's policy to unify higher education in the arts into one multidisciplinary institution.

In this context, the Art Craft Study Program was officially established as one of the study programs under the Faculty of Fine Arts ISI Yogyakarta. Its establishment was motivated by the increasing awareness of the importance of craft as an integral part of Indonesian visual culture, as well as the need to educate experts who are able to bridge between the cultural heritage of traditional craft and the challenges of the future creative industry.

In the early stages, the ISI Yogyakarta Craft Study Program focused on four material-based specializations, namely Textile Craft, Wood Craft, Metal Craft, and Ceramic Craft. Each specialization is developed seriously with a balanced academic and practical approach, and is based on exploring local cultural values. Craft is not only seen as a product of skill, but also as a medium of aesthetic expression and reflection of cultural identity. A few years later, the main interest in Leather Craft was opened.

Strengthening Academic Identity and Artistic Exploration (1990-2000s)

Entering the decade of the 1990s to the early 2000s, the Craft Study Program at ISI Yogyakarta experienced significant development, both in quality and quantity. The number of students increased, young lecturers with domestic and foreign educational backgrounds began to fill the ranks of teaching staff, and the orientation of the study program was getting stronger towards the development of craft as a discipline and contemporary art practice.

At this time, the Craft curriculum not only taught technical skills, but also began to emphasize conceptual approaches and context-based research. Students were invited not only to make works that were technically "beautiful" and "skillful", but also had depth of meaning, social relevance, and alignment with local cultural values. Concepts such as "materiality", "sustainable craft", and "cultural revival" have begun to enter the academic and artistic discourse within this study program.

The Craft Study Program is also a pioneer in the development of interdisciplinary craft. Collaborations with fine arts, product design, anthropology and sociology enrich the understanding of craft as a cultural practice. Various works of students and lecturers began to appear in national and international exhibitions, proving that craft is not just a complement to fine arts, but an independent artistic and intellectual entity.

Craft in the Era of Creative Industries and Globalization (2000-2010s)

Entering the 2000s, the craft world was faced with new challenges and opportunities as the creative industry developed. The Indonesian government began to encourage the creativity-based economic sector, and craft became one of the important sub-sectors. The ISI Yogyakarta Craft Study Program responded to these dynamics by updating the curriculum, integrating design, branding and entrepreneurial elements in the learning process.

Craft is no longer positioned solely as a cultural heritage that must be preserved, but also as a source of inspiration for product innovation and economic added value. Students are introduced to small-scale mass production strategies, utilization of digital technology in the design and production process, as well as professional presentation and promotion techniques.

At this time, many alumni of Kriya ISI Yogyakarta were successful as designers, craft entrepreneurs, curators, contemporary artists, and academics at home and abroad. This shows that the craft education approach developed by ISI Yogyakarta is able to answer the needs of the world of work while maintaining the essence of culture and noble artistic values.

The Last Decade: Digitalization, Sustainability, and Global Collaboration

In the last decade (2010-2020s), the Craft Study Program at ISI Yogyakarta has continued to transform to answer the challenges of the times. Global trends such as digitalization, sustainability, and inclusive cultural awareness have become new footholds in the development of craft science. Various research and collaborative projects have been carried out, such as the exploration of environmentally friendly materials, industrial waste-based crafts, digital crafts, and the mapping of traditional crafts that are almost extinct.

The Craft Study Program also actively participates in and organizes international activities such as the International Craft Biennale, the Southeast Asian Craft Festival, and collaborates with universities and art communities from Japan, Korea, India, the UK, and Australia. Student exchanges, residencies, and cross-cultural collaborations are an integral part of strengthening the program's global capacity.

In the field of community service, the ISI Yogyakarta Craft Study Program plays a role in fostering local craftsmen in various regions of Indonesia. Lecturers and students are involved in product design training, motif diversification, utilization of appropriate technology, and development of local brands based on traditional wisdom. This role makes the Craft Study Program not only an academic institution, but also an agent of cultural and economic empowerment of the community.

Present and Future: Becoming a Center of Excellence for Craft in Southeast Asia

Now, the Craft Study Program at ISI Yogyakarta has an education level of Strata 1 (S1) to Strata 2 (S2)She is currently preparing to develop a doctoral degree in craft. His scientific and practical focus is broadening, ranging from traditional craft, contemporary craft, digital craft, to craft based on cultural and environmental research.

With qualified human resources, an extensive network of cooperation, and a dynamic creative environment, the Craft Study Program at ISI Yogyakarta aims to become a center of excellence for craft education and development in Southeast Asia. This vision is supported by the spirit to continue to maintain the balance between locality and globality, between heritage and innovation, between hand skills and conceptual intelligence.

In the context of national culture, the Craft Program at ISI Yogyakarta plays a strategic role as a preserver and developer of Indonesian craft values that are so rich and diverse. Meanwhile, in the context of world contemporary art, this program is present as a space that continues to challenge conventional boundaries and open new possibilities in the appreciation and creation of crafts.