Fostering a Creative Community – Stylecraft First Nations Interior Design Scholarship

True to Stylecraft’s commitment to giving back, the furniture and design provider has partnered with TAFE NSW to launch the Stylecraft First Nations Interior Design Scholarship. With the intention to foster opportunity for aspiring Indigenous Australian designers, the inaugural program aims to engage the local design industry.

Offering designs that span commercial workplace, hospitality, educational and residential sectors, Stylecraft has been engaged with original, contemporary furniture for 65 years. Founded in Melbourne, the company recognises its responsibility as an industry leader, asserting its position to promote conscious transformation within the industry. The Stylecraft First Nations Interior Design Scholarship reflects this ambition. “The ultimate aim of the program is to encourage participation by Indigenous Australians in the interior design profession, and we look forward to contributing to the students’ design journey,” says Stylecraft Managing Director Anthony Collins.

Stylecraft is dedicated to promoting careers within the interior design industry for First Nations people with a verve for creativity.

The company is dedicated to promoting careers within the interior design industry for First Nations people with a verve for creativity. “Stylecraft has committed to the scholarship program for three years,” Anthony notes. “By 2024, three students will be in the interior design stream completing the scholarship program. We will also work with TAFE NSW to identify any internship or mentoring opportunities for scholarship recipients within Stylecraft or industry partners and clients.”

The scholarship will support students by covering the full cost of fees for the Bachelor of Interior Design at TAFE NSW Design Centre, Enmore. “The Bachelor of Interior Design allows students to develop practical design skills and learn the theory needed to equip them with a sound understanding of design best practice, both in Australia and internationally,” explains Richard Cass, TAFE NSW Creative and Design Ideation Head of Skills Team. “TAFE NSW Design Centre Enmore is a purpose-built design studio where students are able to immerse themselves in design,” he adds. “It’s the perfect place to build design skills and get a head start in the booming interior design industry.”

The understanding that organisations can offer pivotal improvements to the communities they exist alongside underlies the program’s fruition.

The initiative’s introduction comes at an opportune time, with CommSec reports showing a fruitful increase in demand for the creative skill of interior designers. Loans for home renovations grew by 7.4% in June 2021 and Job Outlook predicts employment opportunities in the profession are set to surge by 16.3% over the next five years.

Ensuring continual cultivation throughout the course, educational support will also be provided for the duration of study. “TAFE NSW will ensure that scholarship recipients receive academic support through progressive review and solutions with Head Teachers, teachers and the Aboriginal Education and Engagement Team,” Richard says.