ASTRA Center for Activities and Regional Resources
The ASTRA Center in Sibiu revitalised a medieval guildhall as a vibrant training, certification and cultural hub. Through innovative partnerships, it set a national precedent for recognising traditional crafts, professionalising artisans and linking heritage, education and community resilience.
The ASTRA Center for Activities and Regional Resources is housed in the restored 14th-century House of Arts, located in the historic centre of Sibiu. Managed by the ASTRA Museum – Romania’s leading open-air museum – the centre functions as an urban hub for training, education and craft certification. The ASTRA Center was developed in partnership with Museene i Sør Trøndelag (Norway) and Future Capital (Romania), and financed by the EEA and Norway Grants with additional support from the Romanian government and the Sibiu County Council.
The goal was twofold: to restore and repurpose a medieval guildhall, and to establish a sustainable infrastructure for safeguarding and transmitting traditional craft skills. Over 80% of the historic building is now accessible to the public, with new spaces for exhibitions, maker activities, education and commerce. Measures to provide inclusive access, such as a lift and accessible toilets, extend a greater welcome to disabled visitors.
A major innovation was the ASTRA Museum’s formal recognition as the first museum in Romania to assess and issue professional qualifications in crafts. Drawing on extensive ethnographic, historical and sociological research, the team developed a pioneering training and certification curriculum. More than 90 craftspeople received professional certification in traditional construction, woodwork and manual carpentry. The certification not only assessed technical skills, but also entrepreneurship, financial literacy and marketing skills, strengthening participants’ capacity to achieve success in contemporary markets. Three certified artisans have since launched businesses employing their peers and the certification process is now being considered by other open-air museums, which are interested in replicating the model.
Community outreach is at the heart of the ASTRA Center. Educational initiatives reached over 10,000 people, including schoolchildren and volunteers. The “Travelling Dowry Chest” kit engaged pupils and teachers across 11 rural schools, while restoration workshops activated the city’s public square. These efforts prompted national cooperation between the Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Education. Craft certification has become a requirement for state-funded heritage restoration projects in Romania.
The project overcame the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic, the energy crisis and inflation through strong governance and international collaboration. Bilateral exchanges between Romanian and Norwegian partners enriched both methodology and cultural perspectives.
Daily operations and programming are now embedded in the ASTRA Museum’s core activities. Revenue streams from public activities, venue hire and partnerships with local NGOs support ongoing use and further development of the ASTRA Center for Activities and Regional Resources.
“The official certification scheme, developed as part of this project, marks a significant advance in formalising standards of traditional craftsmanship and the educational activities are empowering local building owners to repair their own heritage,” the Awards’ Jury stated. “By responding to national heritage policy recommendations and expanding the ASTRA museum’s role into practical training and community engagement, the ASTRA Center demonstrates its wider economic and sector impact,” the Jury commented.
Contact: Ciprian Stefan | ASTRA Center for Activities and Regional Resources/ASTRA Museum | office@muzeulastra.com | www.casaartelor.com, www.muzeulastra.com