Articles - 31 July 2006

Creating and making a living in the arts today

Youth@craft·design is almost here - the Craft Australia online forum where you can discuss how to make a living in the creative arts today with a number of Australia's top designers.

Craft Australia has identified four key focus areas around which the online discussion will range. Designed to act as a communication channel and resource for young and emerging practitioners, the online forum will be live from mid-August through to mid-October.

As an art, craft or design practitioner new to the game you may appreciate some advice and counsel from someone who's been there before. You might have some questions about the sustainability of your practice.

How can I make a go of it? What problems have I encountered and how do I get good advice? How can I stay motivated? And how do I juggle making with life's other pressures?

Some very talented and successful Australian practitioners are part of the Youth@craft·design team - here is a taste of what you might expect to see and read about.

Pathways

Meet and talk with glass and metal workers, Blanche Tilden and Phoebe Porter and hear about their mentorship experience and the setting up of Studio Hacienda in Melbourne. Blanche says, "During my career, teachers and friends have helped me along the way, and it's great to have the opportunity through this site to pass on what I know."

Watch the quirky video animations of Adelaide glass artist Tom Moore who uses his glass sculptures in new and whacky ways. Tom's career has taken off recently with many buyers showing keen interest in his studio production work. His day-to-day job at the JamFactory, where he is the glass production manager also allows him a certain artistic licence - as the videos will show.

Chat with others on the team at the JamFactory, including Matthew Larwood, and hear how studio work is made accessible to new practitioners.

Manufacturing

Join Bianca Looney, ceramicist from Melbourne as she juggles the demands of a new baby with her developing ceramic business. Bianca was a recipient of the Australia Council's MMM award in 2005. She is currently focussing on developing her range of Z-series tiling systems with collaborative partners both in Australia and Europe.

Meet Oliver Smith, another 2005 MMM Award recipient. Join Oliver Smith, silversmith and metalworker from Canberra, as he relates how he has managed to streamline his production process and make it commercially viable. Listen to Oliver as he talks about how important his training and apprenticeship period was in the scheme of his career.

Marketing

Meet Juliana, Angela and Rowena Foong from Newcastle in New South Wales, where they run a cutting edge fashion business High Tea with Mrs Woo.

While their label has only been going for a little over two years, already their work is represented in many top fashion outlets and their reputation is growing quickly. As winners of the Mercedes Start Up Awards in 2005, the sisters say this experience "launched us onto the fashion platform".

Rowena says, "We really enjoy participating in community projects like fundraisers, art exhibitions and interesting events like this blog." They are looking forward to sharing their story and hearing about other people's encounters, adventures and ideas.

Juliana, Angela and Rowena feel as though they "have done everything backwards and are slowly emerging with a growing idea of how to run a fashion business."

Chat with Cesar Cueva from Metalab in Surry Hills, one of the newest retail outlets for quality work in Sydney. Cesar - a recent graduate from the ANU School of Art says, "When approached to be part of this project, I agreed with no hesitation and look forward to share my experiences with others."

Export

Join Pippa Dickson, student, fine furniture designer and part-time project officer from Arts Tasmania who will write about her work. Pippa established the Young Designers Month in 2002 which has grown into the very high-profile Design Island strategy. She will talk about the export of fine wood furniture products and her experience in actively promoting Tasmanian practitioners in the overseas market.

Meet Kris Brankovic from Perth. Kris is the Industry Development Manager at FORM Contemporary Craft and Design in Perth

Kris says, "I am currently working on Designing Futures, which helps artists and designers to design and develop better products, market them to new audiences and improve their business practices." He is also involved with exhibitions, workshops and other activities which aim to develop strong links with business and industry with a view to maximising export potential.

"While I'm not a designer or maker, I have a passionate interest in the sector, and my role allows me to explore its many wondrous parts" states Kris.

For students, teachers and emerging practitioners, Youth@craft·design will mean an opportunity to relate directly with the panel of 'experts' for advice and information.

If you would like to be part of this conversation or would like to share your stories online send an email to gaida.macs@craftaustralia.com.au and register your interest. Simply include 'Youth@craft·design' in the subject line and you will be part of the growing mailing list. We'll let you know when the forum goes live at the end of August and how to take part.

Gaida Macs
Forum Coordinator
July 2006