1. Introduction

Under the waves of globalization and modernization, traditional crafts, as an important part of cultural heritage, face unprecedented challenges. These crafts are not only witnesses of history but also significant symbols of national cultural identity and diversity. Over time, many traditional crafts are on the verge of disappearing due to technological advancements, industrialization, market-oriented economies, and the declining interest of the younger generation in traditional lifestyles. Therefore, the protection and inheritance of traditional crafts are particularly important, not only because of their artistic value and cultural significance but also because of their role in maintaining cultural diversity, enhancing community cohesion, and promoting sustainable development.

This study aims to explore and analyze the current status, challenges, and opportunities of the protection and inheritance of traditional crafts, with a special focus on how innovative art participation models can promote the protection and transmission of these crafts. The core questions we seek to address include: What are the main challenges and threats faced by traditional crafts in contemporary society? Which protection and inheritance models have proven to be effective? How can we strengthen these efforts through innovative art participation models in the future to ensure that these precious cultural heritages are preserved and passed on to future generations?

The importance of this research lies not only in assessing and preserving traditional crafts themselves but also in exploring the significance of these crafts for contemporary society and how they promote socio-economic development, education, and cultural exchange. Through the study of different protection and inheritance models, this research aims to provide strategies and recommendations for policymakers, cultural institutions, community leaders, and all those interested in traditional crafts to ensure that these crafts can adapt to the needs of modern society while maintaining their unique cultural value and significance. Additionally, the research aims to promote international cooperation and exchange in the protection of traditional crafts, which is particularly important given the influence of globalization on all cultures. By sharing best practices, successful cases, and innovative models, we can work together to ensure the richness and sustainability of global cultural diversity.

2. Historical and Cultural Value of Traditional Crafts

The origin and evolution of traditional crafts have traversed every stage of human history, embodying human wisdom and creativity. These crafts have evolved from initial practical needs—such as hunting, agriculture, architecture, and clothing production—gradually developing into significant means of expressing community, ethnic, and cultural identities. Over time, traditional crafts have transcended their initial practical functions to become mediums for expressing aesthetic concepts, social values, and spiritual beliefs. For example, Chinese ceramic art, African textiles, European glassmaking, and the weaving techniques of Native Americans are all witnesses to their cultural characteristics and historical evolution. These crafts not only represent exquisite craftsmanship but also carry rich cultural symbols and social educational functions. [1]

Traditional crafts play a crucial role in maintaining cultural heritage and social identity. They are living components of cultural heritage, serving as bridges between the past and the present, facilitating the transmission of historical knowledge and cultural values. Through participation in and learning of traditional crafts, individuals can gain a deeper understanding of their cultural background, enhancing their sense of cultural identity and pride. Additionally, the practice and appreciation of traditional crafts promote intercultural understanding and respect, contributing to the construction of a diverse and harmonious society. In today’s increasingly globalized world, traditional crafts have become an important platform for showcasing ethnic cultural diversity and promoting cultural exchange. [2]

On the social and economic levels, traditional crafts also hold irreplaceable value. They not only provide livelihoods and economic opportunities for many communities but also stimulate the development of local economies and the prosperity of the tourism industry. Traditional crafts have tremendous potential in the market economy, as their products are highly valued for their uniqueness and handmade qualities. [3] However, despite the significant cultural, social, and economic significance of traditional crafts, factors such as modernization pressures, technological changes, and globalization continue to pose threats to their protection and inheritance, presenting challenges in safeguarding and passing on these crafts.

3. Contemporary Challenges

Traditional crafts face multifaceted challenges in the process of modernization, with technological advancements and globalization exerting the most significant influences. Technological progress, despite promoting social development and enhancing productivity in many aspects, has also led to the shrinking of the handicraft market. Mechanization and automated production can replicate products that were once only made through manual craftsmanship on a large scale and at low cost, rendering traditional craft products less competitively priced in the market. Additionally, the trend of cultural homogenization brought about by globalization poses a threat to traditional crafts, as the global market is inundated with standardized products that often disregard the unique cultural characteristics and values of local cultures. As global cultures converge, many unique traditional crafts and cultural expressions face the risk of marginalization and oblivion. [4]

Adapting to market changes also presents significant challenges for traditional crafts. In rapidly evolving consumer markets, traditional crafts need continuous innovation to meet new consumer demands and aesthetic trends. However, this innovation is not without its difficulties; it requires traditional crafts to maintain their cultural characteristics and craftsmanship while integrating new design concepts and functional requirements. Furthermore, marketing and promotion of traditional crafts also face challenges. In the digital age, although the internet provides a vast platform for showcasing and selling traditional craft products, the lack of effective marketing strategies and online knowledge, along with intense market competition, often make it difficult for these crafts to reach a broader potential customer base. [5] Additionally, many traditional crafts involve complex and time-consuming production processes, which cannot meet the demands of fast-paced consumption, placing them at a disadvantage in the competition.

Social changes, including population mobility, urbanization, and changes in lifestyles, also pose threats to the inheritance and development of traditional crafts. As the younger generation moves to urban areas in search of other career opportunities, many traditional crafts face a shortage of skilled artisans to pass down their skills. Changes in urbanization and modern lifestyles lead to a reduced demand for traditional craft products, with a preference for modern, standardized goods. This shift in lifestyle not only affects the market demand for traditional craft products but also gradually diminishes the social and cultural values of traditional crafts among the new generation.

4. Practices in Protection and Inheritance

Efforts to protect traditional crafts have taken various forms globally, including the formulation of policies at all levels, the implementation of specific measures, and the application of diversified inheritance strategies. At the international level, the UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage is one of the important policies for protecting traditional crafts. It aims to protect and promote the intangible cultural heritage of all countries, including traditional crafts. Through this convention, many traditional crafts have been inscribed on the list of intangible cultural heritage, which not only helps increase their international visibility but also provides legal and financial support for their protection and inheritance. [6]

At the national and local levels, many countries have also enacted various laws and policies to promote the protection and development of traditional crafts. These measures include establishing specialized cultural heritage protection agencies, providing financial subsidies and tax incentives, conducting traditional craft education and training programs, establishing databases and exhibition centers for traditional crafts, and more. [7] Additionally, some countries encourage and reward the inheritance and innovation of traditional crafts by recognizing heritage craftspersons, establishing craft master awards, organizing traditional craft exhibitions and competitions, and so forth.

Case studies of inheritance and practices showcase the effectiveness and challenges of these policies and measures in specific implementation. For example, Japan’s “Important Intangible Cultural Property” system not only recognizes a series of important traditional crafts but also supports designated craftspersons (Living National Treasures) to promote the inheritance and development of these crafts. In China, the recognition and protection of intangible cultural heritage projects, as well as the implementation of the “inheritor” system, have effectively promoted the protection and dissemination of traditional crafts. However, these practices also face many challenges, such as the shrinking traditional craft market, the lack of interest among the younger generation in traditional crafts, and the integration issues between traditional crafts and modern lifestyles. [8]

To address these challenges, some successful cases demonstrate innovative inheritance and protection models. For example, some regions have successfully opened up new markets by combining traditional crafts with modern design and technology, developing products that are both traditional and in line with modern aesthetics and functional needs. Additionally, utilizing digital technology to preserve and disseminate traditional craft knowledge has attracted people worldwide who are interested in traditional crafts through online platforms, social media, and other means, providing new avenues for the inheritance of traditional crafts.

5. Innovation in Art Participation Models

In the protection and dissemination of traditional crafts, innovative art participation models play a crucial role, especially with the application of digital technology and the strengthening of community participation and education. Digital technology has opened up new channels for the protection and dissemination of traditional crafts. Through methods such as digital archives, online exhibitions, and virtual reality (VR) experiences, not only can the details and processes of crafts be permanently preserved, but people worldwide can also access and learn these crafts without barriers. [9] For example, by recording the crafting process in high-definition videos, creating interactive e-books with craft stories and cultural backgrounds, or using VR technology to recreate traditional craft environments and scenarios, people’s understanding and experience of traditional crafts are greatly enriched, while providing a platform for craft inheritors to showcase their work and skills.

Community participation and education are also key to the inheritance and popularization of traditional crafts. Communities are the natural environment for the survival and development of traditional crafts. By organizing workshops, craft performances, traditional festival activities, etc., community members’ interest and participation in local crafts can be effectively stimulated, thereby forming a grassroots mechanism for craft protection and inheritance. [10] Additionally, integrating traditional crafts into formal education systems, such as offering school courses, organizing summer camps, and youth craft competitions, not only allows children to understand and respect their cultural heritage from an early age but also cultivates their creativity and hands-on skills. Furthermore, through collaborative projects between communities and schools, such as “Master Visits Campus” and “Apprenticeship” models, direct links and inheritance chains between traditional craft inheritors and the younger generation can be established.

Innovative art participation models are not limited to the fields of technology and education but also involve interdisciplinary cooperation, cultural tourism, creative market development, etc. [11] For example, combining traditional crafts with modern design, fashion, and home decor not only enhances the market value of crafts but also attracts more attention from young consumers. Collaborating with tourism departments to develop cultural tourism products themed around traditional crafts not only brings economic benefits to craft inheritors but also enhances the cultural influence and visibility of the region.

6. Conclusion and Recommendations

Through an in-depth exploration of art participation models in the protection and inheritance of traditional crafts, this study has revealed the importance of various innovative approaches in preserving and disseminating these precious cultural heritages. The research indicates that the main challenges facing traditional crafts include the influence of modernization, the pressure brought by globalization, changes in market demands, and the impact of social changes on the population of inheritors. In response to these challenges, innovative art participation models, especially the application of digital technology and the strengthening of community and education, provide effective avenues for the protection and dissemination of traditional crafts.

Digital technology enables traditional crafts to transcend temporal and spatial limitations, reaching global audiences in unprecedented ways. Through community participation and education projects, traditional crafts can stimulate interest and participation in local communities while nurturing the interest and respect of the younger generation, ensuring the continuous inheritance of crafts. Additionally, this study emphasizes the potential of interdisciplinary cooperation, cultural tourism, and creative market development in the protection and inheritance of traditional crafts.

Based on these findings, future research should continue to explore and validate the effectiveness of different art participation models, especially their applicability in different cultural and geographical contexts. Further research is needed on how to balance the originality and innovation of traditional crafts, ensuring that crafts can meet the demands of modern society while preserving their traditional characteristics. Moreover, research should delve into the analysis of the impact of policy-making on the protection and inheritance of traditional crafts, especially in formulating more effective policies and measures to promote cooperation between the public and private sectors and civil society organizations, achieving the sustainable development of traditional crafts.

Recommendations for strategy and policy-making include strengthening legal protection for traditional crafts, providing economic incentives and support, and enhancing public awareness of the value of traditional crafts. Governments should support digitalization projects for crafts, encourage craft education both within and outside the education system, and promote the integration of crafts with modern design and technology. Furthermore, international cooperation projects should be encouraged and supported to share best practices in protection and inheritance, strengthening the joint protection of global cultural heritage.

The protection and inheritance of traditional crafts are complex but crucial tasks, involving not only the preservation of cultural heritage but also the maintenance of cultural diversity and the sustainable development of society. Through innovative art participation models, we can find new ways to protect these invaluable cultural treasures, leaving behind a valuable legacy for future generations.