The Crafts Council of Karnataka, a voluntary organisation is affiliated to the Crafts Council of India, which in turn is affiliated to the World Crafts Council. Registered in 1982, the Crafts Council is dedicated to the promotion and development of traditional arts and crafts of Karnataka.

Towards this end, the Council holds regular exhibitions, workshops and lecture demonstrations. It has conducted workshops on Rangoli, Puppetry, Wood Carving, Crafts Film Festival and Crafts Expo, Theatre Crafts, Ganjifa and Masks Workshops. The Council has researched and documented Metal Craft , Revival of Kinhal Craft, Wood Inlay, Temple Ritual Utensils, Temple Jewellery and Temple Chariots in Karnataka.

In 1986 the Council instituted the “Smt. Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay Viswakarma Award”. This Award is given to young and talented crafts persons of Karnataka, below 30 years of age, for excellence in the craft. The Award carries a cash prize of Rs. 5000/- a copper plaque and a citation.

The Crafts Council conducts one or two programmes every year for the strengthening of its financial resources. The annual exhibition and sale of “Designer Traditional Textiles and Jewellery” is one such project. The exhibition titled “Vastrabharana” has been an annual feature since 1993.