Somaiya Kala Vidya, a division of the K.J. Somaiya Gujarat Trust, was established in March 2014. Its strengths are both a deep understanding of culture and arts, and focus on the artisan.
Working years with Kutch artisans, in 2003 Founder Director Judy Frater received an Ashoka Fellowship to found Kala Raksha Vidhyalaya, the first design school for artisans. In 2009, she received the Sir Misha Black Medal for Distinguished Service to Design Education. Kala Raksha Vidhyalaya significantly raised the standard of design in craft, and the income and ethics of artisans. After successfully operating KRV for eight years, Frater joined forces with K.J. Somaiya Trust to build the program to an institute.
Building on its core design education program Somaiya Kala Vidya then launched the "post graduate" course Business and Management for Artisans (BMA), outreach programs, and a course in Kutch Textile Traditions.
SKV teaches artisans to use design, business, as well as traditional identity effectively for new markets. Approaching education through a vital subject, the institute enables direct access to higher education, raises the capacity of artisans and generates value for traditional arts.
