A new international Bachelor's programme breaks with material specific Learning

When Karin Peterson, Senior Lecturer in Crafts, and Tom Cubbin, Senior Lecturer in Design, developed Crafting Futures, their aim was to create a space for exploratory artistic practices that currently lack a clear position within traditional, material-specific university programmes.
“Craft is in an exciting phase of development right now, and students in Crafting Futures could play a key role. With the rise of digitalisation, our students are part of a tactile revolution, re-evaluating what it means to work with one’s hands,” says Tom Cubbin.

A Unique Environment
Teaching in Crafting Futures is built around exploratory workshops, critical and historical studies, and engagement with place and landscape. New workshops are currently being established to meet the programme’s needs. These include an extensive textile workshop, facilities for wet modelling with clay and plaster, and a 3D lab. Students will also have access to larger metal and woodworking workshops on campus, along with opportunities to explore materials often overlooked in other university-level programmes within craft.

Dals Långed, where Campus Steneby is located, is a historic industrial town situated between Oslo and Gothenburg, with craft traditions dating back centuries. Artistic education has been a part of the community for nearly 100 years, contributing to a rich and vibrant cultural environment. The rural campus boasts spacious facilities, offering every student their own workspace and ample room in workshops and studios.
“Our beautiful facilities are nestled on a hillside, with a forest behind us and overlooking the Dalsland Canal. Here, we work close to nature, free from urban distractions. Students often tell us how the surroundings fosters focus and a sense of calm, and many students choose to work outdoors, inspired by the landscape. Crafting Futures will actively incorporate the concept of place as an expanded studio, utilizing the unique geographical setting as a tool and resource for learning,” explains Tom.

With responsibility the future

Crafting Futures prepares students for careers in a wide range of fields, including studio craft, public art, community development, craft production, and functional object design, either as freelancers or employees. The programme also offers a strong foundation for further study at the master’s or research level.
“We see that craft is playing a vital role in how we shape the future of society. Developing the relationship between craftsmanship and place is essential in creating sustainable and resilient living environments. Craft connects us to our senses and surroundings, and it can be part of the solution to building a sustainable future,” concludes Karin Peterson.

BFA Programme in Craft with Specialisation in Crafting Futures opens for applications on 20 January 2025, with the first intake of students starting in September 2025.