Maya Youth in Yucatán; Reviving Tradition, Building Futures
The Ibu Foundation is honored to announce a new grant from the Adventures for the Mind Foundation, awarded to Ibu in support of the Maya Youth Artisan Initiative (MYAI) in rural Yucatán.
This funding will strengthen a program where young women are learning to weave henequen agave fiber on the traditional backstrap loom, reviving an art form at risk of being lost and transforming it into a source of cultural pride, economic opportunity, and leadership.
The grant provides mentorship stipends, a bilingual program coordinator, and the fibers and looms essential for weaving. It also invests in an entrepreneurial curriculum and guidebook, laying the groundwork to replicate the program in other artisan communities.
In recent months, momentum has been building. The women exhibited their work at Casa Tho Gallery in Mérida, where several pieces were sold on consignment. This is an important first step in learning how to price and market their art. A workshop with Ashley Kubley, Associate Professor of Design at the University of Cincinnati, introduced the artisans to production costs, customer preferences, and the realities of reaching modern markets.
The initiative has also sparked cultural exchange. Artisans from Chiapas traveled to Hocabá to share weaving techniques, prompting reflection and mutual admiration. “Although the tools are similar, the loom is very different,” observed Reyna, one of the visiting weavers. These encounters deepened respect across regions and affirmed the shared resilience of women artisans.
Preparation is now underway for the next Open Studio, where students are experimenting with natural dyes, refining their pieces, and learning how to curate and display their work for sale. At a workshop earlier this year, each artisan received one-on-one guidance, underscoring the program’s shift from training to professional development. Their last Open Studio drew more than 200 guests, offering a powerful reminder that audiences not only admire their work, but value it.
What was once at risk of fading is now alive with possibility. The Maya Youth Artisan Initiative is cultivating a new generation of leaders in Yucatán. Women preserving heritage, strengthening their communities, and shaping futures of their own making. This vision is becoming reality through the generosity of partners like the Adventures for the Mind Foundation and through the steadfast support of the Ibu community. Every purchase, every gift, every act of generosity helps ensure this work not only continues, but flourishes for generations to come.
With Gratitude,
Grace Hamilton
Director of Mission Engagement
