SNDTW University to host Women’s Artisan Conclave 2026 on October 17

The Shreemati Nathibai Damodar Thackersey (SNDT) Women's University will organise the Women’s Artisan Conclave 2026 on October 17 at its Juhu campus in Mumbai. The day-long event will bring together women artisans, students, designers, buyers, institutions, NGOs, knowledge partners and craft communities.

The conclave is being organised around the theme “Celebrating Women. Honouring Craft. Empowering Stories”. It aims to provide women artisans with a platform to showcase their work, interact with customers and communities and gain exposure to knowledge, technology and opportunities linked to sustainable livelihoods.

The event will be held at the J H Mini Auditorium and Foyer, Main Building, SNDTWU Juhu Campus, from 9 am to 5:30 pm. Women artisans will report at 8:30 am for the event.

Also read Mofussil to Markets: SNDT Women’s University is taking fashion design boom to the Maharashtra hinterlands

Conclave programme highlights

The programme will feature an artisan exhibition, stall demonstrations, expert sessions, panel discussions, a film screening, networking opportunities and a closing ceremony.

The programme will begin with stall setup by participating women artisans, followed by the arrival of the Chief Guest and a visit to the artisan stalls. The inaugural session will include a screening of the Women Artisans Conclave film, followed by addresses by the Chief Guest and Guests of Honour.

Two panel discussions will focus on issues and opportunities related to women artisans, including traditional craft practices, livelihoods, markets and the recognition of women’s craft work.

Expert sessions will also be conducted with IIT Bombay and the Creador Foundation. One of the sessions will focus on marketing and AI chatbot applications.

The programme will conclude with prize distribution, volunteer felicitation, partner acknowledgements, a vote of thanks and the National Anthem.

Women’s Artisan Conclave 2026: Partners

The conclave has brought together partners from the fields of outreach, incubation, education, technology, finance, nutrition and community engagement.

Sewa Connect is the outreach partner, while WISE SNDTWU Incubation Centre is the incubation partner. Anveshanam Foundation is the event partner, and Unnati Hub, IIT Bombay, is the session partner.

Also read SNDT Women’s University launches ‘Narayani Gurukulam’; offers BA in Indian Knowledge System

Cafe Arpan is the nutrition partner. Uplift Foundation and Rotary Club Juhu are supporting the prize for the Best Stall. IDFC is the banking partner, while Mahika is the upcycled bag gifting partner.

Creador Foundation is associated with the event through its marketing and AI chatbot session partnership.

The conclave aims to connect women’s craftsmanship with wider opportunities in education, technology, entrepreneurship, marketing, finance, sustainability and community engagement.