Artex, Centro per l 'Artigianato Artistico e Tradizionale della Toscana, was founded in 1987 and was initiated by Confartigianato and CNA. Its work objectives are to protect, develop, innovate, and promote art and traditional products in Italy and major foreign markets.

Tuscany has more than 20000 companies with 107000 employees and 13 different production departments; Among them, 13000 are micro enterprises with a maximum of 3 employees; 5900 companies employ 4 to 15 employees, while the remaining 1300 companies have over 15 employees.

These numbers illustrate a rich and diverse world, which is the heritage of a diversified company in terms of scale, production capacity, style sensitivity, market orientation, and the demand for specific and diverse tools.

Over the years, Artex has developed unique abilities and expertise through its internal network of employees and external partners, which have been translated into many initiatives at the local, regional, national, and international levels for group and individual companies: regional promotion projects, organizing events, and participating in trade fairs in Italy and abroad, as well as designing, assisting, accounting, and participating in commercial consulting activities for bidding and financing measures.

Artex is one of the founders of the International Crafts Charter, which aims to establish strategic action routes to protect, strengthen, and promote the arts and traditional handicraft sectors; Today, the Charter has approximately 60 promoters and supporters, including administrative agencies, institutions, and associations at the national and international levels.

Artex is also a member of the Council of the World Crafts Council in Europe, a non-profit organization recognized by UNESCO, dedicated to protecting and promoting handicrafts as an important component of national culture and economy.

Artex's headquarters are located in Florence, Via Giano della Bella 20, "Vecchio Conventino", a 3500 square meter suggestive building called "Oltrarno", an area full of artistic and craft activities. Through the Officina Creativa project, Artex has transformed Vecchio Conventino into a center for creativity, training, innovation, promotion, and internationalization; A place where craftsmen, designers, and students gather, work, and study, creating a community.