Vacheron Constantin and The Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met) have launched the Artisan Residency Programme, an 18-month initiative designed to support technical mastery and creative evolution in traditional crafts. The announcement follows a special event on June 5 at The Met Cloisters, held in honor of Vacheron Constantin’s 270th anniversary.
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Three artisans: Aspen Golann from the United States, Ibrahim Said from Egypt, and Joy Harvey from Italy, were selected after a multi-stage assessment process. A jury composed of curators, artists, educators, and administrators chose the finalists from a global open call, based on their skill, artistic merit, and ability to reinterpret craft traditions through contemporary work.
Each resident will engage with The Met’s collections and team in New York and spend time at Vacheron Constantin’s facilities in Geneva. The residency will unfold in three phases: research, creation, and public engagement. During the research phase, the artisans will study historical references at The Met and observe artistic techniques used by the Maison’s artisans, including enameling, guillochage, engraving, and gem-setting. They will receive ongoing mentorship and develop the foundations for their individual projects.
The second phase centers on design and production. Each artist will present a detailed proposal and begin working on their project in their own studio. Vacheron Constantin and The Met will provide technical and material support to help bring these works to life. The final phase, scheduled for October 2026, will take place back in New York. The residents will present their completed works and lead workshops and public programmes that connect their creative processes to wider audiences.
The selected artists bring distinct approaches to their crafts. Aspen Golann, trained in early American woodworking, reshapes historical furniture styles to reflect social commentary and critique. She also leads The Chairmaker’s Toolbox, a project focused on equity in chairmaking, and teaches at the Rhode Island School of Design.
Ceramicist Ibrahim Said draws on Egypt’s long history of pottery, with roots in Fustat, Cairo. He began learning from his father at age six. His work combines delicate surface treatment with structural form, referencing Egyptian heritage while introducing new interpretations through clay.
Joy Harvey, based in Italy, brings her background in chemistry to jewelry-making. She integrates Florentine goldsmithing and Armenian techniques to produce pieces that reflect on human experience. Her designs incorporate imperfections and explore ideas related to beauty, ageing, and emotion.
The residency also builds on the wider collaboration between Vacheron Constantin and The Met, which began in 2023. The partnership includes initiatives such as the ‘Masterpiece on Your Wrist’ programme, which allows collectors to co-create watches with dials featuring enamel reproductions of artworks from The Met’s collection. Vacheron Constantin’s in-house Les Cabinotiers workshop carries out these commissions, reflecting the Maison’s ongoing support for craft traditions and specialized knowledge.
Mentorship plays a central role in the residency. For Vacheron Constantin, this principle traces back to 1755, when founder Jean-Marc Vacheron hired his first apprentice. Since then, the brand has focused on transmitting knowledge and supporting skilled craftsmanship as part of its identity.
The Met, founded in 1870, continues to serve as a platform for both preservation and exploration of visual culture. Its programming reaches millions globally through exhibitions, educational events, and digital content. The collaboration with Vacheron Constantin creates new opportunities to connect traditional craftsmanship with contemporary audiences, bringing technical excellence into dialogue with cultural history.
