The Metropolitan Museum of Art and Swiss luxury watchmaker Vacheron Constantin have announced the inaugural class of their new Artisan Residency, an 18-month program aimed at nurturing traditional craft techniques while encouraging contemporary innovation. The first cohort includes American furniture maker Aspen Golann, Egyptian ceramicist Ibrahim Said, and Italian jeweler Joy Harvey, selected from a worldwide open call. The artisans will study The Met's collections and work with Vacheron Constantin's master craftsmen in New York and Geneva, with a public presentation of their completed works planned for 2026.
This residency matters because it formalizes a cross-institutional commitment to preserving and evolving traditional craft skills, which are often overshadowed by fine art in museum programming. By pairing museum archives with luxury watchmaking expertise, the program bridges historical craftsmanship and contemporary artistic practice, potentially setting a model for how museums and private companies can collaborate to sustain endangered artisanal knowledge. The partnership also highlights the growing trend of luxury brands investing in cultural heritage initiatives.