Murano’s Glass Making And How To Prevent The Death Of Artisan Expertise

Murano, the Venetian island with a 700 year old reputation for glass making artisans, is slowly dying. To blame are a combination of high gas prices, an increase in knockoff glasswork falsely claiming to be Murano glass and a decline in demand for authentic glass art. All of which is causing a generational drain on future glass artisans as the young people of Murano no longer see their futures in the glass industry. The story is similar for many other endangered artisan communities where the biggest challenge they face is a lack of local youth interested in keeping their traditions alive.

One solution may be something many of these communities have not seriously considered: immigration. Why not welcome the next generation of glass artisans to Murano from anywhere in the world? Imagine if more dying artisan professions like these could turn to global youth who may dream of working in that industry but lack the local resources and opportunities to do so. People with a passion for every trade exist all over the world. Finding them and making it easier for them to follow opportunities may be the key to keeping these dying expertises alive for generations to come.