Objects of Desire

In the October issue of 716 craft·design online news, Craft Australia features the commercial side of craft practice and the vital contribution the commercial gallery and retail sector to the cultural industry. We focus on the relationship between artists and commercial galleries with an article by Anna Grigson, Co Director of Sabbia Gallery in Sydney. Anna's pertinent views reflect her gallery's focus on studio glass; however the points she makes are equally relevant to craft artists working in all mediums. Jenny Deves gives an overview of the retail sector and how it effectively increases makers' capacity for a sustainable livelihood. We also feature two articles by artists who have embraced entrepreneurship along with the creative habit and have established unique retail environments for their own work and that of their colleagues. Alice Whish's story gives insight to the launch of an online retail gallery for contemporary Australian jewellery and the Foong sisters' tell of their journey in setting up the fashion boutique and highly sought after clothing label High Tea with Mrs Woo.

In addition, in this issue we feature the Objects of Desire segment, an exclusive online shopping experience that includes a selection of Australia's unique boutiques specialising in distinctive Australian made designer products. We have bought together a selection of these rare retail gems so that you can browse online and be tantalised by the high quality and breadth of choice available in Australian hand made designer products. Objects Of Desire

New Board of CHASS

Recent developments for Craft Australia include the election of the General Manager to the Board of the Council for the Humanities Arts and Social Sciences. The CHASS AGM was held in Melbourne on Tuesday 2 October.

The new Board of CHASS are President, Prof Stuart Cunnigham, Vice President Helen O'Neill, Secretary Stuart Hamilton, Treasurer Catrina Vignando, Professor Sharon Bell, Dr John Byron, Professor Greg Craven, Professor Ross Homel, Professor Kim Walker and Professor Sue Willis.

CHASS are an advocacy body that represents the interests of researchers and educators working in the Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences sector in Australia. Details of how CHASS activities impact on the craft·design industry will become an ongoing feature of this column.

ARC Biennial

Also on the radar this month for your attention is the ARC - Art, Design and Craft Biennial in Brisbane. A symposium will be held from 12 - 13 October that features a range of interesting debates including a dynamic session on craft·design titled Made by Hand - Mass Production Vs the Human Touch. ARC website

Catrina Vignando will be facilitating this session that includes Heidi Dokulil, Ewan McEoin, and Andrew Byrne on the panel. Join us for some lively discussion in Brisbane on the current state of craft·design practice.

NAVA and AbaF

On other news from the sector Craft Australia is on the advisory committee working with NAVA and AbAF to develop an online portal of information for artists on how to run a successful arts practice. The portal aims to be a one stop shop of online information that draws from data developed by the sector. Craft Australia has had an active involvement with the development of online communication programs and brings this background and knowledge of the craft·design sector to the discussion table. We will notify you as the portal evolves. Media release

Maker to Manufacture to Market

Commercialisation is also the focus of the current developments with the Maker to Manufacture to Market program, MMM. Developed as a strategy by the Visual Arts Board of the Australia Council, this is the last year of this funding program. The recipients increased from three awardees to four and they have two years to complete the program rather than one as was the case in the previous two years of the program.

This year's recipients are Caroline Casey, Jon Goulder, Alexander Lotersztain and Nick Rennie.
Media release

Further developments of the MMM program include an application to AusIndustry for a designer and industry mentoring program. Details of the successful outcome of this venture with AusIndustry can also be read on the Australia Council website.

Advocacy

On the advocacy and lobby front, this past month has seen Craft Australia in election mode, attending speeches presented at the National Press Club by the Arts Minister, Senator George Brandis, and the Shadow Arts Minister Peter Garret. Craft Australia is following the debates and policies and will bring a round up of the arts policy platforms from the various parties for your information.

Catrina Vignando
September, 2007