Santo Domingo School

A quiet courtyard with a small tree, a grassy area, and a building with wooden balconies and a tiled roof on the left side. On the right side, there's a brick archway and a brick wall.

Arts and crafts

At the Santo Domingo School of Arts and Crafts we have been training artisans in traditional crafts since 1996. We offer certficate programs, short courses and an international master's program.

We promote excellence in the practice of crafts, so that our students discover their full potential and undertake a successful professional future.

01 // ABOUT US

Collage of craftsmanship activities: weaving with a loom, leather stitching, woodworking, metalworking, embroidery, and knitting.

Fostering Excellence in Craftsmanship

We cultivate  artisans dedicated to quality, instilling a deep passion for craftsmanship and excellence in their craft. Located in La Candelaria, the historic center in the heart of Bogotá, the Santo Domingo School of Arts and Crafts was founded in 1996, and is nestled within the beautifully restored architectural heritage in the capital of Colombia.

Our Mission

To provide training, capacity building and specialization opportunities with the highest standards of quality and excellence to artisans and people interested in learning a trade, under a specialized pedagogical model, to preserve artisan techniques and generate income alternatives that allow improving living conditions.

01 // ABOUT US


Close-up of various handcrafts and textile work, including embroidery, weaving, braid making, and sewing.

Fostering Excellence in Craftsmanship

We train artisans committed to quality, who transmit a passion for craftsmanship and excellence in the practice of their trades. In the heart of Bogotá's historic center is the Santo Domingo School of Arts and Trades, which was founded in 1996 among restored architectural works of La Colonia.

Our Mission

To provide training, capacity building and specialization opportunities with the highest standards of quality and excellence to artisans and people interested in learning a trade, under a specialized pedagogical model, to preserve artisan techniques and generate income alternatives that allow improving living conditions.

02 // Certificate programs


Close-up of brown quotation marks.

Our school is more than an institution; it’s a legacy. With world-class facilities and a passion for craftsmanship. We aim to shape the next generation of artisans who will redefine the world of art and design.

03 // open programs


Open programs

For over 25 years, we have been at the forefront of arts and crafts education in Colombia. Our mission is to preserve and promote traditional techniques while fostering innovation and creativity.

Close-up of a person hand embroidery a blue bird on fabric in a wooden hoop.

Short
Courses

Short Courses are brief, in-person programs (32 or 48 hours) where students gain foundational knowledge and skills in various craft techniques.

International Artisans Workshop

We provide students, alums, and individuals involved in traditional crafts with the opportunity to enhance or deepen their skills through the expertise of master artisans from around the world. These visiting instructors share new techniques and methods applied to craftsmanship.

Three wooden bowls of varying sizes and two wooden spoons on a light fabric surface against a textured light background.

Craft your future

Navigate through our facilities, locate workshops, and experience the vibrant energy of our community.

Invest in the Future of Arts & Crafts

Your donation helps preserve traditional techniques, fosters innovation, and ensures that future generations can continue to create extraordinary art.

Help us continue inspiring creativity and excellence. Click below to make your donation and become a part of our legacy!

People working with woodworking tools and machinery in a woodworking workshop with sunlight streaming through windows.
Group of people working together on woodworking projects in a workshop, wearing gloves and safety glasses, with wood pieces and tools on tables.

Upcoming events

Aerial view of a city block with traditional rooftops, some tiled in red and some in gray, showing a mix of old and new buildings, streets, and a few trees.

Find our location