Multicolores

Multicolores is a non-profit organization operating from the Guatemalan tourist town of Panajachel. Working with 61 Maya Kaqchikel, K’iché and Tzutujil women, across nine rural communities, the association specialises in the creation of unique textile artworks crafted using embroidery and rug-hooking. Through the provision of education, skills development, fair pay and market access, Multicolores aims to support and empower its artists to improve quality of life for themselves and their families, and to enable them “to be powerful agents of change”. Community, partnership and storytelling are the bedrock of the organization and its work. They collaborate with their artists and supporters to cultivate meaningful lasting relationships.

Digital Literacy and Use | Digital Transition During Covid

Until the pandemic, the company operated a (predominantly) face-to-face business model, selling work at trade fairs and via their Panajachel gallery, and offering tours in artist communities. Covid necessitated transition to virtual communications with artists, and to online, sales, workshops and events, supported by the transportation of textile materials to the communities via courier. With this shift to online ways of working, which coincided with changes in the educational system during the pandemic, it became “apparent that a lack of access to quality technology and reliable internet was a major barrier for learning and communication”. By securing funding from the Delta Foundation in October 2020, Multicolores were able to purchase a tablet, keyboard, headphones and a speaker, for each of their artist groups, who were also trained to use the equipment for online communication, learning and product management.

“Through the use of digital technologies Multicolores’ artists have created, elevated and deepened their connection with new and existing audiences and added technical skills to their toolbox. This was the first step in developing the artists’ technological literacy.”

Digital Literacy and Use | Artisan Experience

Through initial training and equipment provision during the pandemic, Multicolores built the foundations to further embed technology into their operations and into the lives of their artist communities, with the tablets being used to facilitate and access meetings, creative workshops and wellbeing support. Despite this, internet and device access and costs, low digital and technical literacy levels and language barriers, were all cited by artists as obstacles to technology use. Multicolores highlight the inequity in access, particularly for indigenous women:

“Technology can benefit a sector of the population and at the same time accentuate existing inequalities, especially those faced by indigenous women.  It is important to start with actions that help break down barriers that have limited, for many years, indigenous women to have new opportunities for personal growth and see that they also have rights to use technology, in order that they can generate changes in their lives and that of their families.”

Technology and Training | Intentions and Expectations

Multicolores used their (NTU Project) funding to expand device provision, with the aim of equipping each community with additional tablets to reduce the device sharing ratio from 1 tablet per 9 artists, to 1 tablet per 2-5 artists. This increased digital device capacity was coupled with a series of workshops focusing on the effective use of tablets, smart phones and applications, as well as intellectual property rights for the use of online images.

The organization’s ultimate, long-term goal is to empower women by breaking down the barriers of inequality, by providing opportunities for personal growth through the use of digital technologies.

Provision of Technological Infrastructure | Delivery + Implementation

In collaboration with a consultant from the digital training organization TecnoCreativa, face-to-face workshops were delivered in nine remote rural communities. 51 women – equating to 84% of the Multicolores artists - actively participated in the workshops, with some of the women travelling long distances to attend. Over the course of four 3-hour sessions, the women gained practical experience working with tablets to enhance their digital literacy using applications including WhatsApp, email, Zoom and Google-docs.

The workshops were designed with input from the artists to ensure grounded and localised ways to address digital literacy gaps while also considering personal interests and needs. The sessions were subsequently tailored to individual communities – facilitator Professor Walter Garcia Lopez explains:

“I consider that taking the workshops to them is the best decision because you know the reality and context of each community. It is also important to emphasise that the content of the workshops is adapted to the context of the communities […] Guatemala is a multicultural country. To change a community, even if they are neighbours, change[s] the culture and beliefs and everything, then you also have to adapt the content.”

Though most artisans speak Spanish in addition to their native language, those that do not were supported by their colleagues who provided translation and explanation.