Agria 40. (Az Egri Múzeum Évkönyve - Annales Musei Agriensis, 2004)

Kriskóné Dávid Mária: Népi Iparművészeti Múzeum – Mai alkotók

Mária Kriskó The Arts and Crafts Museum - Contemporary Artists The Arts and Crafts Museum in Kecskemét opened twenty years ago in 1984. The writer of this paper, who also happens to be the curator of the museum, looks at the origins of the institution and the activities currently going on there. At the outset the Arts and Crafts Council purchased and collected folk objects reflecting the tastes of the time. From this developed a collection which now numbers in excess of 10,000 items. This means that alongside the permanent exhibition there are opportunities to put on temporary exhibitions devoted to individual artists and folk art associations. The museum organises national competitions, both alone or with a partner institution as in the case of the pottery and the handicrafts competitions, and the Pro Renovanda Cultura Hungáriáé Foundation invitatory and open competitions. It also organises conferences, training courses and has a resident folk arts and crafts panel. The museum also produces a number of publications, puts on programmes and workshops as well as providing a venue and professional assistance to the local decorative arts circle. 459