Craft as a Care Commons: Sustaining Communities Through Care in the Climate Crisis

This paper explores craft as a care commons, emphasizing its role in fostering community resilience, sustainability, and ecological responsibility through cultural transmission. In the climate crisis era, the commons concept offers a vital framework for sustaining shared resources, traditional knowledge, and intergenerational practices. Craft, beyond a technical skill, is reconceptualized as a social practice that nurtures relationships among individuals, communities, and the environment. This study examines how craft functions as a medium of care ― for people, cultural heritage, and ecological balance ― while ensuring sustainability through knowledge transmission. The Cheongju Craft Biennale underscores craft’s role in social cohesion and environmental stewardship. Additionally, the expansion of upcycling initiatives and circular economies demonstrates how craft can serve as a low-carbon alternative to mass production. By situating craft within commons-based practices, this paper highlights its role in collaborative governance, resource sharing, and sustainability. Recognizing craft as a dynamic and evolving commons is essential for addressing environmental and socio-economic challenges. The study concludes by advocating for stronger policy support, educational reforms, and community-driven initiatives to sustain craft as part of regenerative societies.