Digital Transformation and New Horizons in Arts and Crafts Education under the Erasmus+ Project
On Tuesday, September 30, 2025, the Exhibition Hall of the St. Luke’s Art and Design Institute in Sofia hosted the inspiring forum “The Uniting Power of Applied Arts”. The event gathered leading educators, experts, and practitioners in the field of applied and decorative arts to explore the evolving relationship between tradition, education, and innovation.
The program, moderated by Dr. Miroslav Ivanov, opened with greetings from key national institutions — Ralitsa Karapanteva, Director of St. Luke’s Art and Design Institute; Lyuba Krasteva, Chief Expert at the National Agency for Vocational Education and Training; and Ralitsa Bazaitova, Chief Expert at the Ministry of Culture’s Directorate for Performing Arts and Art Education.
The forum featured a diverse range of presentations, from the results of the Erasmus+ project “MOSAIC” to discussions on the Jewelry Industry of the 21st Century and Modern Methods of Education in Furniture Design.
A special highlight of the event was the presentation by Georgi Dinchev, founder and director of the Institute for Independent Digital Research and Technologies (INDIT), titled “Digital Technologies in the Field of Arts and Crafts”, delivered as part of the activities under an Erasmus+ project dedicated to the integration of digital innovation and creative education.
Bridging Art, Craft, and Digital Innovation
In his talk, Georgi Dinchev emphasized the growing role of digital transformation in creative education, outlining how technologies such as artificial intelligence, 3D modeling, laser cutting, and virtual prototyping are reshaping the way artists, designers, and craftsmen learn and work.
He shared insights from INDIT’s Erasmus+ research and educational projects, focusing on digital skills training for art and craft educators, integration of AI tools into design thinking processes, and the development of digital learning resources tailored for vocational schools and creative practitioners.
“Digital technologies do not replace craftsmanship — they extend it. They help young creators visualize ideas, prototype faster, and connect traditional artistry with the innovation economy,” Dinchev noted.
About INDIT
The Institute for Independent Digital Research and Technologies (INDIT) is a Bulgarian non-profit organization dedicated to advancing digital transformation in education, art, and creative industries. Through research, training, and strategic partnerships, INDIT supports educators, vocational schools, and independent artists in adopting new digital tools, AI-based learning models, and open educational resources.
INDIT has participated in multiple Erasmus+ initiatives, cross-sector projects, and forums dedicated to arts, crafts, and design education, contributing to the modernization of vocational training and the promotion of digital literacy in creative fields.
Celebrating Tradition and Innovation
Following the forum, participants attended the opening of the exhibition “72 Years of the Specialty ‘Artistic Metal Processing’”, curated by Dr. Elena Kafedzhiyska, honoring the long-standing tradition of artistic metalwork education in Bulgaria.
The event concluded with a networking cocktail, offering a space for collaboration and exchange among artists, educators, and innovators committed to bridging the worlds of craftsmanship and digital technology.