Two organizations that help support and encourage individual artisans include Novica and Global Exchange . Both organizations offer a wide range of authentic, locally made handicrafts for sale online. Working in association with the National Geographic Society, Novica offers handcrafted items from more than 2,000 artists around the world. An active supporter of the Fair Trade movement, Global Exchange works directly with cooperatives and artisans as well as a network of Fair Trade importers.

The following organizations work to promote artisans and their crafts.

A Treasury of New Zealand Craft Resources Collects, shares, and markets information about New Zealand crafts and artisans.

Aid to Artisans (United States) Offers assistance to artisans worldwide to foster artistic traditions, improve livelihoods, and keep communities healthy and strong.

Alberta Crafts Council (Canada) Dedicated to supporting and developing Alberta's craft culture and its participants.

American Craft Council (United States) Promotes understanding and appreciation of contemporary American craft.

Artisan Enterprise Network (United States) Brings together different organizations to pool experiences and knowledge for the benefit of artisans worldwide.

Assembly of British Columbia Arts Councils (Canada) Focuses on the role of art in building community by advocating for the arts and providing networking, education, and other arts services resources.

Canada Council for the Arts Advances development of the arts through grants, services, and awards to professional Canadian artists and arts organizations; also administers scholarly awards.

Canadian Crafts Federation The national arts service organization representing provincial and territorial craft councils and the Canadian craft sector.

Canadian Quilters' Association Promotes appreciation of the art, techniques, and heritage of patchwork, appliqué, and quilting.

China National Arts — Crafts Corporation A state-owned import-export organization that trades in garments, glasswares, and wooden decorations.

CMCC Collections Storage (Canada) A virtual storehouse of native objects representing Canada's Indian and Inuit cultures and ethnic communities.

Co-op America (United States) Harnesses economic power to create a socially just and environmentally sustainable society.

Craft Australia This national organization represents professional Australian craft through research, education, and advocacy.

Craft Council of Newfoundland and Labrador (Canada) Promotes local craft and crafter communities to ensure a thriving cultural and economic society.

Crafts Association of British Columbia (Canada) A service organization committed to promoting, researching, and building connections between professional crafters of British Columbia.

Crafts Center at CHF International International nonprofit organization promotes entrepreneurship and economic development by training low-income artisans.

Crafts Council (United Kingdom) Promotes English contemporary crafts through establishing standards and educating the public.

Craft Victoria (Australia) Encourages the growth of Australian contemporary craft and design through public awareness, exhibitions, seminars, and advocacy.

Eshopafrica.com (Africa) Fair-trade business that supports artisan development by promoting traditional African crafts from Ghana, Ethiopia, Zimbabwe, Mali, and more.

Fair Trade Federation (international) Works to foster a more equitable market by linking low-income producers with consumers, and by educating the public about fair wages and healthy working environments.

Guldagergård: International Ceramic Research Center (Denmark) An international research center for the development of ceramic arts.

Handicraft Development Corporation of Malaysia The country's leading crafts agency. The center is responsible for stimulating the growth of Perak's handicraft industry.

Harbourfront Centre Crafts (Canada) Helps new craftspeople to establish professional careers and exposes the public to modern-day craft.

Konsthantverkscentrum (Sweden) The largest crafts organization in Sweden, with close to 700 members.

Manitoba Crafts Council (Canada) Markets and promotes contemporary crafts and ensures that producers are valued for their contributions to the cultural and economic life of the province.

Metal Arts Guild (Canada) An organization for the promotion of silversmiths, jewelers, and metal artists in Canada.

Nova Scotia Designer Crafts Council (Canada) Supports the work of its members locally, nationally, and internationally through markets, exhibitions, and other activities.

Ontario Crafts Council (Canada) Aims to increase recognition and appreciation of craftsmanship by building a sustainable, talented craft community and acting as its advocate.

Saskatchewan Craft Council (Canada) A charitable organization dedicated to creating a supportive craft community of Saskatchewan craftspeople, supporters of crafts, and the public.

Scottish Arts Council (United Kingdom) Fosters the Scottish arts community by funding, developing, and advocating for the arts.

Textile Society of America, Inc. (United States) By providing an international forum, the Society enables members to share information about textiles worldwide.

Traditional Crafts of Japan Promotes traditional crafts by describing 198 of the craft industries in Japan.

Weavers Studio (India) Employs craftspeople in the production of hand-printed, hand-embroidered, and hand-woven textiles.

World Crafts Council-Europe As one of the World Crafts Council's five regional branches, it promotes design-led crafts and applied arts in Europe by publishing numerous arts directories and awarding prizes for excellence in art.

Published in March 2006. All content accurate as of press time.