Expression of Interest (EOI) for Creative Volunteers

Expression of Interest (EOI) for Creative Volunteers

Reimagine | Rebuild | Volunteer

An initiative by BharatCares (SMEC Trust)

1. Introduction

India's traditional craft sector sits at a rare intersection — centuries of inherited skill on one side, and a rapidly growing market for authentic, sustainable, handmade products on the other. Yet the bridge between the two remains fragile. Artisan communities, particularly women potters, possess deep technical knowledge and cultural heritage, but often lack access to contemporary design thinking, market-oriented product development, and institutional partnerships that can elevate their craft from subsistence to enterprise.

Women of Kumhar Gram, Uttam Nagar, New Delhi, have preserved the traditional art of terracotta pottery for generations. Kumhar Gram is home to more than 800 families of Kumhar potters, making it a significant living craft ecosystem.

Through the Empowering Women to Preserve Art (EWPA) initiative, BharatCares is working towards strengthening the livelihoods of women artisans by supporting skill development, enterprise development, mechanization, branding, market linkages and design-led product development.

As part of this journey, we are now looking to bring together creative minds, artists, designers, students and sustainability enthusiasts to contribute their ideas and creativity towards transforming the project space at Kumhar Gram.

2. About the Volunteer Opportunity

We invite individuals and creative communities who are passionate about art, design, sustainability and social impact to collaborate with us in reimagining the space through creative and sustainable interventions.

This is an opportunity to work alongside an artisan community, understand their craft and contribute to creating a space that reflects the heritage, creativity and future aspirations of Kumhar Gram's pottery community.

We are looking for:

• Sustainable Architects
• Artists
• Painters
• Sketch Artists
• Designers
• Sustainability Enthusiasts
• Students
• Creative professionals and individuals interested in community-based art

3. Areas of Creative Engagement

Volunteers may contribute through one or more of the following areas:

Space Transformation

• Creative ideas for reimagining the existing space
• Sustainable and locally relevant art interventions
• Visual elements that reflect the identity of Kumhar Gram

Art & Painting

• Wall art and murals
• Hand-painted elements inspired by terracotta and the artisan community
• Creative installations and artistic expressions

Design & Visual Storytelling

• Sketches and illustrations
• Creative storytelling around pottery and the artisan community
• Visual elements highlighting the journey from clay to craft

Sustainable Design

• Use of sustainable, locally available and environmentally conscious materials
• Creative reuse and upcycling ideas
• Low-cost and community-friendly design solutions

Student & Volunteer Engagement

• Collaborative creative projects
• On-ground participation
• Co-creation with women artisans and the BharatCares team

4. Objectives

The volunteer engagement aims to:

• Reimagine the Kumhar Gram space through art and creativity.
• Create a visually engaging environment that reflects the heritage of terracotta craft.
• Promote sustainable and responsible approaches to space transformation.
• Encourage collaboration between creative professionals, students, volunteers and artisan communities.
• Provide volunteers with an opportunity to contribute their skills towards a meaningful social-impact initiative.
• Strengthen the visibility and identity of the artisan community and their traditional craft.

5. Who Can Participate?

We welcome individuals, students, creative professionals and volunteer groups with an interest or experience in:

• Architecture and spatial design
• Fine arts
• Painting
• Illustration and sketching
• Graphic and visual design
• Sustainable design
• Craft and creative practices
• Community engagement
• Social impact
• Art education

Prior professional experience is not mandatory for students and emerging artists. What matters is your willingness to contribute creatively and work respectfully with the artisan community.

6. What We Expect from Volunteers

Selected volunteers are expected to:

• Participate actively in the creative planning and implementation process.
• Respect the culture, traditions and working environment of the artisan community.
• Collaborate with the BharatCares team and other volunteers.
• Develop practical and sustainable creative solutions.
• Participate in on-ground activities at Kumhar Gram as mutually agreed.
• Complete the agreed creative contribution within the mutually decided timeline.

7. What Volunteers Will Gain

Volunteers will have an opportunity to:

• Work directly with a traditional artisan community.
• Experience community-based creative collaboration.
• Understand the heritage and process of terracotta craft.
• Apply their creative skills to a real-world social-impact project.
• Collaborate with artists, designers, students and sustainability enthusiasts.
• Contribute to preserving and promoting a traditional craft while supporting artisan livelihoods.

The EWPA initiative already provides opportunities for community immersion and direct engagement with women artisans and the terracotta craft process.

8. Venue

Kumhar Gram, Uttam Nagar, New Delhi

9. Date & Timeline

Date: To be announced

The detailed schedule and nature of volunteer engagement will be shared with selected/registered volunteers.

10. Selection & Engagement Process

Step 1 — EOI Submission

Interested volunteers submit their profile and area of interest.

Step 2 — Review

The BharatCares team will review submissions based on the volunteer's skills, interests and relevance to the project.

Step 3 — Discussion & Ideation

Shortlisted volunteers may be invited for a discussion to understand the project space and explore possible creative interventions.

Step 4 — Creative Collaboration

Selected volunteers will collaborate with the BharatCares team and artisan community to develop and implement the agreed creative intervention.

11. Join Us

From Clay to Craft, Come Play a Part.

If you are an artist, designer, student, architect, painter, sketch artist or simply someone who believes in the power of creativity and sustainability to create social impact — we invite you to be part of this journey.

REIMAGINE | REBUILD | VOLUNTEER

For Queries & EOI Submission

Dimple Adhikari: dimple.a@csrbox.org

Palak Srivastava: palak.s@bharatcares.org

Jay Mudaliar: jay.mudaliar@bharatcares.org

Fill up the EOI Form here: EOI for Creative Volunteers

 

Tags Social Change