The Festival

Design is in Canberra’s DNA and the annual DESIGN Canberra Festival is a celebration of all things design.

From the time of Walter and Marion Griffin’s visionary design a century ago, to iconic experimental modernist architecture of the 1950s and 60s, through to contemporary and sustainable design developments today, Canberra has been – and will always be – a living design laboratory.

From 4-24 November, DESIGN Canberra will experiment with new ideas and expand the most successful programs into new directions in the 2019 festival. Over 150 events, exhibitions, talks, tours, activations, markets, collaborations, artist studios and open homes will once again transform the nation’s capital into a new platform for the best in design. The festival, now in its 6th year, is for all interests and ages and most events are free.

Last year, the festival attracted a record 112,844 people.

Proudly presented by Craft ACT: Craft and Design Centre

DESIGN Canberra is the major outreach activity for Craft ACT: Craft + Design Centre — a not-for-profit membership based organisation which supports local artists, designers and makers at every stage of their careers. The festival is delivered in collaboration with industry, associations and educational institutions committed to the design arts and creative industries in Canberra.

Goals

Amplified by ever-increasing support from a creative network of local, national and international design and craft communities, together with corporate and government partners, DESIGN Canberra promotes design and craft, develops new and expanded audiences, forges marketplace connections and unexpected collaborations, and is a source of inspiration.

Partners

Over 70 sponsors and supporters from the business, tertiary, cultural and industry sectors as well as the broader Canberra community help to make the DESIGN Canberra festival a success.