Asia-Pacific Art and Craft Market Outlook, 2029

The Asia Pacific art and craft market is vibrant and diverse, reflecting the region's rich cultural legacy and artistic traditions. This market offers a diverse selection of things, including traditional handicrafts, contemporary art, textiles, pottery, jewellery, and more. Chinese art, for example, contains calligraphy, porcelain, and silk painting, whereas Japanese art is known for woodblock prints, ceramics, and origami. In Southeast Asia, countries such as Indonesia and Thailand have long histories of batik, shadow puppetry, and elaborate metalwork. India is well-known for its textiles, jewellery, and sculptures, which reflect its rich cultural environment.

The COVID-19 epidemic has had a significant impact on Asia Pacific's art and craft sector. Lockdowns and travel restrictions forced the closure of physical markets and art shows. However, the pandemic has expedited the migration to digital channels. Artists and artisans used online marketplaces and social media to reach clients, resulting in an increase in e-commerce activity. Traditional techniques are being recreated using current materials and technologies.

For example, 3D printing is being used to produce elaborate sculptures, and digital art platforms are allowing artists to create and sell non-fungible tokens (NFTs). Sustainability is also a developing trend, with artists creating their work with recycled materials and environmentally responsible processes. Collaborations between traditional artisans and contemporary designers also result in one-of-a-kind and innovative goods that combine the old and the new.

According to the research report "Asia-Pacific Art & Craft Market Outlook, 2029,", the Asia Pacific art and craft market is anticipated to grow at more than 6.85% CAGR from 2024 to 2029. The Asia Pacific art and craft sector is home to a diverse range of major participants, from individual artists and small-scale craftspeople to huge manufacturers and merchants. Companies such as Alibaba and JD.com in China have established online markets to help local craftspeople. In India, platforms such as Gaatha and Craftsvilla promote traditional handicrafts. Muji in Japan is well-known for its minimalist design ethos, whilst Tokopedia and Shopee in Indonesia are prominent art and craft e-commerce platforms.

These essential individuals are not only generating sales, but also building a community of artists and crafters. International collaborations are also on the upswing, as artists and brands from other nations collaborate to create cross-cultural art and craft works. These agreements help to increase the market reach while also driving innovation. The Asia Pacific art and craft sector is a significant contributor to the worldwide import and export business. Countries such as China and India are major exporters of handicrafts, textiles, and other art and craft items. Japan and South Korea are renowned for their high-quality ceramics and contemporary artwork.

Meanwhile, countries such as Australia and New Zealand import a diverse range of art and craft products from the region. The rise of e-commerce has made it simpler for artists and craftspeople to reach global markets, resulting in an increase in both imports and exports. Traditional handicrafts are produced by a large number of small-scale providers in nations like India and Indonesia. Large-scale producers in China produce a diverse range of art and craft products.

Market Drivers

Government Initiatives: Governments throughout the region are launching programs to support and promote local arts and crafts. For example, the Indian government's "Make in India" initiative promotes domestic production, including handicrafts. The Chinese government's "Belt and Road Initiative" includes cultural exchange initiatives aimed at promoting Chinese arts and crafts globally.

Increasing Disposable Income: As the Asia Pacific region's middle class grows, so does disposable income, which drives demand for art and craft products. Consumers are increasingly seeking out one-of-a-kind, high-quality products that reflect their individual style and cultural interests.

Market Challenges

Competition from Mass-Produced items: The market is under intense competition from mass-produced, low-cost items. This presents a challenge to craftsmen who manufacture handmade, typically more expensive, products. The inflow of low-cost imports also undercuts local artists, making it harder to compete on price.

Lack of Access to Markets and Finance: Market and financial access are limited for many craftsmen in the Asia Pacific region. They frequently lack the business skills and resources required to engage clients and expand their firms. Microfinance institutions and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) are striving to alleviate this issue, but additional help is needed.

Market Trends

Digital Art and NFTs: The growth of digital art and non-fungible tokens (NFTs) is a key market trend. Artists create digital artworks and sell them as NFTs through platforms like as OpenSea and Rarible. This trend is creating new ways for artists to monetise their work and reach a worldwide audience.

Cross-cultural Collaborations: Cross-cultural partnerships are increasingly popular in the Asia Pacific art and craft sector. Artists and designers from several countries are collaborating to develop unique, hybrid items. These relationships not only drive innovation, but also contribute to cultural interchange and understanding.

Art and Craft as a Method of Therapy: Art and craft are becoming more widely recognised for their therapeutic advantages. This trend is increasing the demand for art and craft workshops, classes, and retreats. Art and craft are being employed as a kind of therapy to improve mental health and well-being, particularly in response to the stress and worry produced by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Painting and drawing are the most popular and market share-leading product types in the Asia Pacific due to the growing interest in the region.

The category encompasses a variety of mediums such as watercolour, acrylic, oil painting, calligraphy, and digital artwork. This segment's rise is being driven by both traditional artists and an increasing number of hobbyists looking for creative outlets. The cultural importance of painting and drawing in many Asia Pacific countries, combined with rising disposable money and a growing interest in art as a form of self-expression and therapy, contribute to its dominant position. Several indigenous enterprises are leading the painting and drawing market in the Asia Pacific area. Companies such as Xinhua Art Supplies and Marco Fine Arts are well-known in China for providing a diverse choice of high-quality art supplies.

These businesses cater to both professional and amateur artists, offering everything. Kuretake and Pentel are well-known in Japan for producing creative, high-quality art materials. Kuretake is best known for its watercolour and calligraphy items, whereas Pentel is a major manufacturer of drawing and writing instruments. Both companies have a substantial domestic presence and are well-known worldwide for their high-quality products. Camlin and Faber-Castell India are important companies in India's art supply business.

Faber-Castell India, a subsidiary of the global business, offers high-quality art supplies that are popular with both experts and amateurs. ShinHan painting Materials is a well-known South Korean company that manufactures professional-grade paints and painting supplies. The company's products are widely regarded as high-quality and are used by artists all around the world.

The most popular use in the Asia Pacific art and craft industry is personal usage, which is being driven by an increased interest in hobbies, self-expression, and the therapeutic advantages of creative pursuits.

Individuals that engage in art and craft for leisure, house décor, gifting, and education fall into the personal use group. This trend is being driven by increased disposable incomes, a growing middle class, and a cultural emphasis on art and creativity in many Asia Pacific countries. Furthermore, the COVID-19 epidemic has expedited the rise of this industry, as people have turned to art and craft to cope with stress and anxiety during lockdown periods. In China, Alibaba's Taobao and JD.com are the most popular e-commerce sites for personal usage. These platforms provide a wide range of art and craft products, including painting and sketching tools, as well as paper crafts and DIY kits.

While personal usage is the most common application, commercial use, which includes professional artists, designers, and businesses, is also substantial. Companies such as Winsor & Newton, Copper Chimney, and Mont Marte cater to both personal and commercial use, providing high-quality art supplies to professionals and hobbyists. Both divisions are expanding due to a booming art and craft culture in the Asia Pacific region, where individuals and businesses recognise the value of creativity and self-expression. Daiso is a well-known Japanese retail chain that sells a variety of low-cost art and craft items. Daiso's products cater to a variety of creative pursuits, such as painting, drawing, paper crafts, and home décor.

China is the leading country in the Asia Pacific art and craft market, owing to a number of significant reasons that contribute to its regionwide dominance.

China's dominance in the art and craft sector can be due to its rich cultural past, which spans thousands of years and includes a diverse spectrum of artistic traditions. Traditional Chinese art forms such as calligraphy, painting, pottery, and textiles continue to survive and change, helping to drive market growth. Another important element is China's sizable and expanding middle class, which has more discretionary means and a strong interest in art and crafts. This generation fuels domestic demand for art and craft products, both for personal enjoyment and as an investment. The expanding middle class also drives the rise of the creative industries, as more individuals choose artistic vocations and pastimes.

The country is home to a large number of manufacturers and suppliers who make a diverse range of art and craft materials and goods. China's solid supply network enables it to meet domestic and international demand efficiently and cost-effectively. Furthermore, the emergence of significant e-commerce platforms such as Alibaba and JD.com simplifies the distribution and selling of art and craft products, making them more accessible to consumers globally.

Furthermore, the Chinese government's support for the arts and crafts industry is critical to its success. Initiatives like the "Belt and Road Initiative" foster cultural interchange and international exposure for Chinese art and crafts. Domestic policies focused at safeguarding cultural assets and promoting the creative industries help to drive market growth.

Considered in this report

• Historic year: 2018
• Base year: 2023
• Estimated year: 2024
• Forecast year: 2029

Aspects covered in this report

• Art & craft products market Outlook with its value and forecast along with its segments
• Various drivers and challenges
• On-going trends and developments
• Top profiled companies
• Strategic recommendation

By Product Type

• Painting and Drawing
• Paper Crafts
• Kids Crafts
• Arts and Crafts Tools
• Others

By Application

• Personal Use
• Commercial Use

The approach of the report:

This report consists of a combined approach of primary and secondary research. Initially, secondary research was used to get an understanding of the market and list the companies that are present in it. The secondary research consists of third-party sources such as press releases, annual reports of companies, and government-generated reports and databases.

After gathering the data from secondary sources, primary research was conducted by conducting telephone interviews with the leading players about how the market is functioning and then conducting trade calls with dealers and distributors of the market. Post this; we have started making primary calls to consumers by equally segmenting them in regional aspects, tier aspects, age group, and gender. Once we have primary data with us, we can start verifying the details obtained from secondary sources.

Intended audience

This report can be useful to industry consultants, manufacturers, suppliers, associations, and organizations related to the Art & craft products industry, government bodies, and other stakeholders to align their market-centric strategies. In addition to marketing and presentations, it will also increase competitive knowledge about the industry.