Applications Now Open – Melbourne Design Week 2022

Applications are currently open to partake in Melbourne Design Week 2022. Commencing on Thursday 17 March next year, the dynamic international event will see an array of talks, tours, exhibitions and workshops running across the 11-day program.

“Melbourne Design Week is an event that brings together design practitioners, advocates, educators and industry,” describes Tony Ellwood AM, Director at NGV. “It’s a platform for robust dialogue imperative not only to creative practice but to all aspects of society.” First established in 2017, Melbourne Design Week 2022 has hosted over 800 events. Since then, several works featured throughout the week have been acquired for the NGV’s permanent collection.

Building upon the 2021 theme – ‘Design the world you want’ – 2022 will explore the two new pillars of ‘Civic Good’ and ‘Making Good’. Designers, institutions, galleries, retailers and individuals are invited to consider the ways design influences the everyday. Compellingly, they will be explored through a variety of design disciplines, including architecture, urban design, landscape architecture, industrial design and more. “There’s never been a more important time to reunite as a community to shape our future and shape a better world,” says Tony.

Run by the Victorian Government and delivered by Creative Victoria and the National Gallery of Victoria, the event is set to reaffirm the state as a leader within the creative and design industries.

Run by the Victorian Government and delivered by Creative Victoria and the National Gallery of Victoria, the event is set to reaffirm the state as a leader within creative and design disciplines. “Design is an important and growing part of Victoria’s dynamic creative industries,” explains Minister for Creative Industries, Danny Pearson MP. “It’s a major creator of jobs and a strong contributor to our state economy.” The event is calling on the industry to get involved – participation is free and widely encouraged from all aspects of the community. Danny continues, “design shapes how we live, the way we experience our environment and how we connect with each other.”

Featured over the 11-days will be the $20,000 Australian Furniture Design Award, presented by the NGV and Stylecraft. Additionally, the Melbourne Design Week Award presented by Mercedes-Benz has also been confirmed, as well as exhibitions by Sydney-based Adam Goodrum and Arthur Seigneur at Tolarno Galleries, and Adelaide duo Daniel Emma at Sophie Gannon Gallery. The event will also incorporate both the Melbourne Design Week Film Festival and the Melbourne Art Book Fair.

Building upon the 2021 theme – ‘Design the world you want’ – 2022 will explore the two new pillars of ‘Civic Good’ and ‘Making Good’.

The 2022 program similarly includes shows by Sydney’s collectible design gallery Sally Dan-Cuthbert and Adelaide’s JamFactory. Presentations by industry leaders, including Cult, Living Edge, Mobilia and more will take the stage, as well a new program of design showroom activations, purposed with bringing the design community together. Expressions of interest for the week are currently open. “Melbourne Design Week celebrates the power of design, showcases local and international design innovators,” says Danny, “and explores how we can design the world we want – a better, fairer more sustainable world.”