Australian Craft Leaders Call for National Making Agenda at MADE 2026 Symposium
During the MADE 2026 symposium held in Brisbane on 10 September, the panel titled 'A Nation of Makers' explored the future of Australia's craft and design industry. Dr Elizabeth Shaw led the discussion, which featured Brian Parkes, CEO of JamFactory; Travis Tiddy, CEO of Design Tasmania; Aimee Frodsham, CEO of Canberra Glassworks; Melanie Gibson from Hopevale Arts; and Carmel Haugh, CEO of Artisan. The group stressed the importance of collaboration and resource sharing in light of financial challenges. Tiddy pointed out a lack of leadership, while Parkes promoted partnerships. Frodsham spoke on artist and gallery collaborations. Keynote speaker Sally Brand introduced a $300,000 initiative for the National Indigenous Art Triennial. Haugh called for a national agenda, highlighting the Brisbane 2032 Olympics as a potential catalyst.
Key facts
- The MADE 2026 symposium took place at the State Library of Queensland, Brisbane on 10 September.
- Panelists included Brian Parkes (JamFactory), Travis Tiddy (Design Tasmania), Aimee Frodsham (Canberra Glassworks), Melanie Gibson (Hopevale Arts and Cultural Centre and IACA), and Carmel Haugh (Artisan).
- The Australian Craft and Design Centres network was founded in the 1990s and relaunched in 2020.
- Sally Brand described a $300,000 project for the National Indigenous Art Triennial with Canberra Glassworks that divided production across three scales.
- Canberra Glassworks collaborated with artists including Tony Albert and commercial gallery Sullivan + Strumpf.
- Artisan's former bricks-and-mortar retail model cost over $200,000 a year.
- Queensland came second to Tajimi, Japan, in the bid to host the 2030 International Academy of Ceramics Congress.
- Design Tasmania is now 50 years old and is undergoing a period of 'rebirth'.
Entities
Artists
- Alison McDonald
- Brian Parkes
- Travis Tiddy
- Aimee Frodsham
- Melanie Gibson
- Carmel Haugh
- Elizabeth Shaw
- Sally Brand
- Tony Albert
- Gina Fairley
Institutions
- Artisan
- JamFactory
- Design Tasmania
- Canberra Glassworks
- Hopevale Arts and Cultural Centre
- IACA
- Australian Craft and Design Centres network
- Queensland Art Gallery & Gallery of Modern Art
- National Gallery of Australia
- Sullivan + Strumpf
- Tourism and Events Queensland
- Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre
- International Academy of Ceramics
- State Library of Queensland
- ArtsHub
- ScreenHub
Locations
- Brisbane
- Australia
- Queensland
- Tasmania
- Tajimi
- Japan
- Mittagong
- New South Wales