Project

MASKS unveiling the arts and works behind the masks

MASKS is a European project that enhances traditional Carnival masks through online training, living labs and mobility, bringing together craftsmanship, cultural tourism and local economy.

The MASKS project – Unveiling the arts and works behind the masks starts from traditional masks from different European regions to create an innovative learning pathway.
Its aim is to enhance craft processes linked to the production of masks, costumes and musical instruments, turning them into opportunities for training, employment and local development.

Ritual-ceremonial masking is not just a spectacle: it is a living expression of the ethnic and cultural identity of rural communities. Through MASKS, this heritage becomes the core of a project that connects culture, craftsmanship, tourism and sustainable entrepreneurship.

A learning pathway between tradition and innovation

MASKS creates a structured training pathway that combines:

• Online training on a dedicated platform;
• Living labs, workshops where students work in groups on real projects;
• Learning mobility, enabling 20 selected students to travel, meet artisans and local communities, and learn directly in the field.

Within the courses, key topics are addressed such as cultural tourism, rural development, sustainable entrepreneurship, and circular economy applied to craftsmanship.

Target groups: who takes part in MASKS

The MASKS project is addressed in particular to:

• students from craft centres and vocational schools;
• university students interested in arts, culture, design, anthropology and tourism;
• young people wishing to acquire creative and entrepreneurial skills starting from traditional masks.

Thanks to MASKS training, participants can develop technical skills, understand the link between ritual practices, local identity and economy, and transform masks into innovative and contemporary products capable of engaging new audiences and markets.

A European alliance of 12 partners

MASKS is implemented by a European alliance of 12 partners, including:

• universities and higher education institutions;
• research institutes;
• SMEs in the creative and cultural sector;
• vocational training centres and artisan organisations.

Expected results: exhibitions, skills and new opportunities

The MASKS pathway culminates in two exclusive exhibitions showcasing works created by students together with master artisans, as well as the production of masks, costumes and ritual instruments that reinterpret local traditions with a contemporary perspective.
Key outcomes include new professional skills, increased visibility of rural communities and their cultural heritage, and the development of craft, creative and tourism-related business ideas linked to the world of masks.

Join the MASKS project

Would you like to discover how to turn traditional masks into an opportunity for your future?
Visit the Training and News sections to learn more and stay updated.

MASKS is an invitation to enter the world of masks and European cultural heritage, fostering dialogue between tradition, creativity and new economies.

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