News 
Vacheron Constantin, in partnership with The Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met) in New York, announces the Artisan Residency programme. Designed to support craft skills, encourage the evolution of traditional savoir-faire into new forms of expression and nurture the next generation of artisans, the Artisan Residency programme underlines both institutions’ longstanding commitment to supporting art and culture.
The three finalists – Aspen Golann (American furniture maker), Ibrahim Said (Egyptian ceramicist) and Joy Harvey (Italian jeweller) – have been chosen for the inaugural 18-month residency, which recognises practitioners who are committed to preserving traditional crafts through their exploration of artistic techniques and practices that are relevant today. As a part of their residency, the three artisans will travel to New York to engage with The Met collection and the museum’s experts. They will also spend time in Geneva, Switzerland, learning about the artistic processes and practices of Vacheron Constantin’s master artisans. The programme will culminate in October 2026, when the artisans will return to New York to present their work at The Met.
Emphasising the cross-cultural reach of the programme, applications were invited from artisans worldwide who specialise in traditional crafts, demonstrating technical virtuosity, artistic sensibility and an innovative approach to their craft. These applications were assessed by a jury composed of curators, art administrators, educators, artisans and artists. After three rounds of assessment, three finalists were chosen based on the quality of their proposals, artistic merit and commitment to not only preserving but also advancing a traditional craft technique to create objects of exceptional aesthetic and technical value.
During their 18-month residency, each artisan will produce an original work of art that demonstrates innovation in a traditional craft technique. The first phase of the programme will be dedicated to research, with the artisans spending time in both New York and Geneva, building the foundation for the project they will each produce under the residency. At The Met, they will draw inspiration from the Museum’s collections, archives and exhibitions; at Vacheron Constantin, they will gain insights into the Maison’s in-house craft practices, ranging from watchmaking techniques to artistic crafts such as enamelling, guillochage, engraving and gem-setting. Throughout this first phase, the three artisans will receive mentorship and feedback from peers and experts.
In the second phase of the programme, the artisans will move into the design and production of their chosen work of art, beginning with the submission of detailed project proposals and budgets. Their proposed final pieces will balance craft preservation with innovation. While the artisans will each work in their own studio, The Met will provide logistical and material support to ensure the successful realisation of their projects.
For the final phase, the three resident artisans will return to The Met to take part in workshops, public programmes and community events, which will provide opportunities to share their process with the public and contribute to the Museum’s programming.
July 17, 2025