Craft ACT: Craft + Design Centre: 2005 Annual Report

Annual Report 

2005 

Craft ACT: Craft and Design Centre 

1st Floor North Building 180 London Circuit Canberra ACT 

PO Box 992 Civic Square ACT 2608 Tel: (02) 6262 9333 Fax: (02) 6247 8859 

E-mail: craftact@craftact.org.au Website: www.craftact.org.au 

Gallery: Tues-Fri 10 am- 4 pm Sat-Sun 12-4pm Office: Mon-Fri 9.30am – 5.30pm 

ABN: 33 314 092 587 

Member of ACDO, the Australian Craft Design Organisations 

Assisted by the ACT Government through its Cultural Council and the Australia Council, 

the Federal Government's arts funding and advisory body. 

1

PRESIDENT'S REPORT 

The 2005 Craft ACT: Craft and Design Centre Annual Report highlights a year of activity which 

represents its role in the cultural environment of Canberra and the region, and demonstrates its 

achievements through its programs and activities. 

Craft ACT: Craft and Design Centre was a recipient of the Visual Art and Craft Strategy, a joint 

initiative of the federal and state and territory governments to address the urgent shortfalls in 

funding to Australia’s creatively rich visual art and craft cultural sector. In 2005 Craft ACT: Craft 

and Design Centre received an increase of up to approximately 25% funding, this increase has 

had significant impact upon Craft ACT’s capacity to deliver a dynamic and responsive program of 

exhibitions and activities for audiences and artists alike. 

The financial health of Craft ACT: Craft and Design Centre has markedly improved and 

represents excellent value for this investment by the government agencies. The organisations 

ability to augment infrastructure systems has improved services to its members, artists, 

audiences, and other cultural workers and organisations; enhanced its administration creating an 

organisation with a stronger public presence; developed a more dynamic and secure financial 

position; it has improved technological capability which directly benefits artists, audiences and 

Craft ACT members; it has boosted its capacity to create and take part in a wider variety of 

community cultural activities. Craft ACT: Craft and Design Centre is experiencing a period of 

growth from an organisation that hosted exhibitions, to a centre that initiates, leads and 

participates in cultural activities that expand well beyond its physical location. 

The Craft ACT Management Committee and staff are committed to working with its business 

plan, addressing and reviewing this plan to competently meet new opportunities and reflect on its 

initiatives and strategies. 

Staff 

In 2005 the Craft ACT: Craft and Design team consolidated and developed. There was a change 

of staff in the position of Curator of Public Programs, and up to three curator intern positions all 

worked towards becoming a tight, efficient and responsive team. 

Barbara McConchie is the Executive Director and she has demonstrated a high level of 

commitment to the organisation and the Craft and Design field. She works well with all the staff 

and the management committee, always calm, organised, efficient, clear thinking and in control. 

In liaising with the funding bodies, other institutions and agencies, she is always clear, logical and 

effective in her communication. Barbara is dedicated and sets high standards for herself, the staff 

team and the board and this translates into a dynamic and forward looking organisation. 

Personally and on behalf of the Management Committee I would like to express appreciation of 

the extensive and varied work carried out by our Executive Director on our behalf. 

Barbara leads a very efficient and professional team with each staff member offering specific 

skills. 

Jason Hugonnet continues in his role as Curator and Exhibitions Manager presenting exhibitions 

that are professionally designed and executed. Jason has streamlined and refined a number of 

systems creating a more efficient and safe work place. Jason continues to strengthen 

connections with artists and look broadly at the field to develop a strong Craft ACT exhibition 

program. 

The Curator of Public Programs has seen a change over with Toni Bailey resigning in July 2005. 

Our well wishes go with her and sincere thanks for her contribution to the organisation and its 

members. We now welcome Diana Campbell to this position which she commenced in July 

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2005. Diana completed an internship with Craft ACT in December 2004. Her enthusiasm and 

professionalism has been of great benefit to Craft ACT and its members, artists and audiences. 

This position has increased in 2005 from a .6 to a .8 permanent position, further enhancing Craft 

ACT’s capacity. 

Alice McDonald continues as part time Administration Officer/Bookkeeper. Alice continues to be 

an integral member of the team working with the Executive Director in managing the budgets and 

accounts of the organisation. Alice’s hours will increase in 2006 acknowledging the important role 

that she has within the organisation. We would like to thank Alice for her ongoing commitment to 

Craft ACT and for all the work she has done in her area. 

Sally Mussett and Julie Ryder have shared the role of Gallery Assistant working on weekends. 

Sally and Julie have contributed to managing the membership and mail out databases and 

managing the media and publications records for the organisation respectively. 

Alex Asch is our casual Installation Assistant working with Jason Hugonnet. Alex is a thorough 

and competent assistant and is invaluable to the artists showing with Craft ACT. 

A special thank you and welcome to all the new staff for your generosity, hard work and 

commitment often over long hours to get the job done. I would also like to note that the 

Management Committee has the upmost confidence in all of the staff members and their abilities 

and would like to extend its thanks for great team work over the past year. 

Management Committee 

Ross Feller and Charles Higgins will not be standing again for a position on the Management 

Committee having served four and two years respectively. Thank you both for your valuable 

contributions and professional perspectives. 

Bill Wood, Alison Munro and Steve Trathen have joined the Management Committee from the 

last annual general meeting. Each of them brings with them unique skills, a passion for the 

sector, administration, governance, and marketing skills as well as in depth knowledge of the 

contemporary craft and design sector here in Canberra. Each of them has broad networks which 

will assist Craft ACT: Craft and Design Centre better manage its position in Canberra’s rich 

cultural sector. 

For those remaining on the Board - Ann Jakle, Jonathan Everett, and Joanne Searle, thanks for 

being a strong forward thinking and progressive team. Thank you also for the many hours 

committed to Craft ACT’s new Business Plan, our multi-year funding application, employing new 

staff and initiating a philanthropy and publishing sub committee to name a few of the many big 

projects we have achieved over past 12 months. 

My first year as President has been meaningful and rewarding. I would like to thank all members 

of Craft ACT, members of the Management Committee and staff for their great work. It is a 

pleasure to be part of such a dynamic organization committed to making a difference for 

individual practitioners and the wider community. The vibrancy of our sector is outstanding and I 

look forward to all the new projects and developments in the next year ahead. 

With thanks, 

Valerie Kirk 

President Craft ACT 

3

EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS REPORT 

Craft ACT: Craft and Design Centre has enjoyed eighteen months of increased funding with its 

government partners the ACT Government through artsACT and the Federal Government 

through the Australia Council. The new model of triennial funding has improved and streamlined 

the organisations ability to be cost effective and plan for a more concrete future. The new 

business plan model for all organisations that are funded on a three year basis has provided a 

positive framework for Craft ACT to develop professionally which in turn filters down to a more 

mature and progressive sector here in Canberra and beyond. Australian contemporary craft and 

design is a progressive area of cultural development that continues to combine philosophical 

thought with the best object making in the world and Canberra is recognised as one of the 

nation’s strongholds of contemporary craft and design artists. 

Craft ACT: Craft and Design Centre is the only ACT organisation specialising in the promotion, 

exhibition and advocacy of the best of professional and emerging contemporary craft and design 

ranging across all areas of contemporary craft and design practice. Throughout 2005, Craft ACT 

successfully promoted the quality and quantity of contemporary craft and design practice in the 

Canberra region and advocated for its recognition to many audiences. Craft ACT through its 

business plan identifies opportunities and lists strategic initiatives creating outcomes that benefit 

the sector and the Canberra community. Within the period of the business plan Craft ACT will 

continue to develop opportunities through the following key target areas for the benefits of its 

members, artists and audiences: 

• Curatorial program and promoting emerging practices 

• Audience development and public programs 

• Marketing, promotion and membership 

• Collaborations and advocacy 

Curatorial program and promoting emerging practice 

Craft ACT: Craft and Design Centre produced and hosted forty exhibitions in 2005 as a result of 

increased capacity due to the implementation of VACS funding. These were curated and 

managed by Jason Hugonnet, Curator and Exhibition Manager, Barbara McConchie, Executive 

Director and Diana Campbell, Megan Bottari and Georgina Donovan, Craft ACT Curator Interns. 

The program presented a range of insightful and questioning exhibitions designed to provide a 

rich dialogue of contemporary craft and design, and promote engagement with innovative and 

challenging cultural expression. The program traversed a diverse field from the presentation of 

designer fashion bags to contemporary craft installations in old settler’s huts in the Namadgi 

National Park on the south western fringe of Canberra. 

Diana Campbell, Megan Bottari and Georgina Donovan were curator interns with Craft ACT in 

2005, coming from the ANU graduate curatorial degree program, the ANU School of Art Bachelor 

of Arts program and a self initiated program. Each of the interns gained an extensive 

understanding of the workings of a grass roots arts organisation such as Craft ACT and created 

an energetic element to the Craft ACT staffing team. Diana curated a ceramic exhibition of Craft 

ACT members at the Tuggeranong Arts Centre in early 2005 as her final project with Craft ACT, 

and was successful in securing the position of Curator of Public Programs with Craft ACT in July 

2005. Megan successfully curated the program of glass presentations in the Craft ACT 

showcases at the Land Development Agency in Kingston, and managed a number of crucial 

public programs during the Dimensions Variable Festival of Contemporary Sculpture Canberra 

and the Memories in Place: art in high country huts projects. Georgina Donovan completed a 

short program and in that time was invaluable working with Craft ACT’s touring program and 

assisting in a multitude of other administrative tasks as required. 

4

Craft ACT supports the presentation and promotion of works by emerging practitioners defined 

as artists who have graduated from a university program or TAFE or finished an apprenticeship 

within the past five years. Craft ACT achieves this by dedicated programming that provides a 

range of opportunities for emerging artists. These include smaller presentations of work in the 

Craft ACT showcases located at Craft ACT in the North Building in the heart of Canberra, a set of 

showcases at the Canberra Centre Shopping Mall - which has an audience in the hundreds of 

thousands and in special showcases at the Land Development Agency at the Kingston 

Foreshore precinct, a major redevelopment by the ACT Government; in solo shows in Gallery 2 

at Craft ACT and as part of major group exhibitions in Gallery 1. Craft ACT adds further support 

and promotion through other programs which target emerging practitioners which includes the 

ANU School of Art Emerging Artist Support Scheme, the Canberra Potters Society Annual 

Members Show Craft ACT award. In 2005 Craft ACT introduced the Raglan Ceramic Awards 

Craft ACT award and an exhibition offered to an outstanding industrial design graduate from the 

University of Canberra. 

Audience development and public programs 

The public program works in partnership with the exhibition program, which is the core business 

for Craft ACT: Craft and Design Centre, which builds an audience for contemporary craft and 

design practice. The public programs are also discrete and provide a framework to familiarise 

audiences with the diversity and best practice of contemporary craft and design. It is closely 

aligned with the marketing, promotion and membership development arms of Craft ACT, and as 

such is an important cog of the Craft ACT business plan. 

During 2005 this area developed significantly as a result of an improved infrastructure due to the 

increased funding. Staffing levels increased to .8 permanent position. Craft ACT developed 

programs that extended the perception of contemporary craft and design, opened up forums for 

discourse and debate and commissioned writing to promote activity in this fertile field of 

contemporary craft and design, a sector that leads through innovation and new ideas for our 

shared future. Craft ACT provided professional development for its members and artists to 

nurture their practices. It successfully teamed up with members, government agencies, art 

organisations, and businesses in the region to initiate new opportunities and joint programming to 

reach wider and more diverse audiences. Craft ACT for the first time in its history was able to 

introduce a modest budget as a result of VACS funding which was instrumental to this program. 

Marketing, promotion and membership 

Marketing and promotion of its members, the sector and Canberra’s rich cultural environment is a 

key role of Craft ACT: Craft and Design Centre. The membership and the artists it represents 

through exhibitions and the strategies to market and promote them is an area that continues to 

be of focus for the Craft ACT Management Committee and staff. 2005 represented a 

consolidation of new initiatives as a result of VACS funding. 

Craft ACT commissioned writers to respond and write about Craft ACT Accredited Professional 

Members as part of its publishing program. This introduced new local writers and provided a new 

voice for Canberra audiences, the organisations members and other artists. Craft ACT continues 

to maintain as many links with media representatives as possible and continually assess new 

avenues for promotion in both print and electronic media. After an initial one off product launch in 

2004, Craft ACT programmed a short series of product launches through 2005. This shift to a 

more focused approach to product launches resulted in significant progress and development in 

this area. 

Craft ACT is the leading provider of specialised services to the craft community and its objectives 

include: development of professionalism; promoting and advocating excellence; fostering 

innovation; and developing education opportunities which in turn develop new audiences for the 

sector. Craft ACT co-hosted the Get With The Program, professional development training for 

5

members and general audiences. 

Craft ACT developed an international tour of the exhibition Geometry Rhythm Light: glass and 

the everyday which was a collaborative project with Object Centre for Australian Design. The 

exhibition toured to the Gaffer Studio Glass Gallery in Hong Kong, where it enjoyed audience and 

financial success and which once again raises the profile of Australian contemporary craft and 

design. 

Craft ACT continues to be proactive in its approach to its membership and Accredited 

Professional Members programs. In 2005 new membership strategies were instigated to recruit 

undergraduates through a free and electronic membership service with the students of the ANU 

School of Art. This has proved so successful that Craft ACT is looking to roll this out to other 

tertiary institutions in the region in 2006. 

Collaborations and advocacy 

2005 was a year of momentous activity representing an extraordinary range of collaborations 

across Canberra between Craft ACT and other organisations and businesses. Craft ACT 

developed strategic projects to draw together galleries across Canberra to present contemporary 

craft and design as part of a coordinated program of exhibitions, talks and workshops. A touring 

exhibition in collaboration with Object Centre for Australian Design; commissioned writing for the 

Craft Victoria Craft Culture web magazine; host for the 2005 annual Ranamok Glass Prize 

touring exhibition; development and management of a major sculpture festival with partners 

Canberra Contemporary Art Space, ANU School of Art Gallery and the National Gallery of 

Australia; product launches in collaboration with Canberra Arts Marketing and local retailers, 

coordination of major glass symposium activities with the ANU School of Art Glass Workshop; 

presentation of an exhibition of members works at the Tuggeranong Arts Centre broadening Craft 

ACT’s reach to distant audiences; and host to an international artist as part of the 24:7 

Temporary Public Art Program, an exciting initiative of the ACT Government; all of which 

represent the renewed vigour and capacity of Craft ACT. 

These partnerships draw new audiences to Craft ACT and other locations broadening audience 

perception and appreciation of contemporary craft and design. Each of these collaborations 

represented major projects for Craft ACT with improved staffing infrastructure. Craft ACT was 

successful in developing these projects and in obtaining additional funding to support the 

programs. This resulted in not only critical attention but promoted excellence and innovation for 

contemporary craft and design. 

Craft ACT participated in local and national networks through out the year, meeting with craft 

networks, government agencies, reference groups and educational institutions. Each of these 

meetings puts craft and design from this region on the map and into the minds of others, in this 

way Craft ACT has a broad reach beyond its immediate vicinity and continues to be an active 

ingredient in advocating and promoting contemporary craft and design from the region and 

beyond. 

6

Report on 2005 activities in relation to the 2005-2007 Business Plan 

• The matrix on page 8 is a summation of Craft ACT 2005 activities cross referenced with 

the 2005-2007 Business Plan Key Goals, Key Performance Indicator’s (KPI’s) and 

Prioritised Initiatives and Target Outcomes (PITO). 

• For the first year Craft ACT has done remarkably well meeting a good proportion of KPI’s 

and PITO’s. It indicates very strongly that we are on track and meeting objectives and 

prioritised outcomes therefore meeting our VACS requirements. 

• Note that we have not met any of the KPI’s or PITO’s relating to the website. There is at 

this stage no capacity for a dedicated staff person for this area and as such development 

has proved elusive this year with all the external and public programming achieved in 

2005. Craft ACT believes that all goals are not met simultaneously and that there is room 

for growth and development within each year. 

The following data has been taken from the three year Business Plan 05 – 07 for reference. 

VISIONS AND GOALS 

• 2 new Spaces for the exhibition and promotion of contemporary craft and design in 

Canberra region 

• Initiate 2 new strategies to increase craft and design practitioners commercial 

opportunities 

• Develop 2 new online programs to increase regional, national and international exposure 

and export of ACT products 

• Increase the number of participants in the professional development programs 

• Promote craft and design career paths to primary/secondary school students 

• Foster commercial relationships for the organisation with identified creative industry 

groups 

MAINTENANCE GOALS 

• Foster professionalism, excellence and innovation in craft and design practice 

• Advocate for and represent the members 

• Maintain an efficient well managed and financially responsible organisation. 

7

CRAFT ACT OVERVIEW OF ACTIVITIES FOR 2005 

• 2005 saw expanded programs as a result of a stable staff due to increased 

infrastructure support 

• Craft ACT developed a program of exhibitions that increased number of exhibitions; 

presented new major works; highlighted new and old technologies; demonstrated 

excellence; displayed retrospectives of major mid career artists and designers; 

combined emerging artists with established peers; developed solo exhibitions with 

Accredited Professional Members; and toured an exhibition overseas. 

• Craft ACT increased its exhibition program by exhibiting offsite 

‣ Earth Water Fire, group ceramic exhibition of Craft ACT members at the 

Tuggeranong Arts Centre 

‣ Product Launch at the Royal Automobile Club Australia, Sydney 

‣ Ned Kelly by Megan Bottari at the Canberra Airport Showcases 

‣ Chora, Penelope Stewart, visiting Canadian Artist, as part of the 24:7 Dwell 

program of temporary public art 

‣ Memories in place: art in high country huts installation at Brayshaws, 

Westermans and Waterhole huts in the Namadgi National Park 

• Craft ACT hosted an expanded public program through its exhibition program 

‣ Cool Glass Hot Art exhibitions across Canberra and promotion of the ANU 

School of Art Glass Workshop conference and artists talks 

‣ Raw Earth Hot Clay exhibitions across Canberra and promotion of the 

Gundaroo Wood-fire Conference and artists talks 

‣ Dimensions Variable Contemporary Sculpture Festival, public tours, artists 

talks, lunch time forums, education project Car Cosy 

‣ Ranamok 2005 Glass Prize evening forum 

‣ Memories in Place: art in high country huts one day forum titled Interpretations: 

Imagining past Present Future 

• Craft ACT hosted extensive public programs including the following artists talks: 

‣ Get With The Program, professional development series 

‣ Merrill Orr, Multicultural Festival 

‣ Ian Jones, Raw Earth Hot Clay, Wood-fire conference 

‣ Jonathan Baskett, Mel Douglas, Geometry Rhythm Light exhibition, Cool Glass 

Hot Art, Canberra Glass Conference 

‣ US Gallery Outlook a Craft ACT and Canberra Arts Marketing professional 

development seminar. Leading US Gallery Directors, Rick and Ruth 

Snyderman provided a key note address on this topic and were joined by Craft 

ACT Accredited Professional Member Janet DeBoos, NGA Senior Curator 

Decorative Arts Robert Bell, Austrade Industry Specialist John Odgers and 

Catrina Vignando General Manager Craft Australia to discuss export and 

international markets. 

‣ Alan Swanson, New Work exhibition 

‣ Steve Harkin, Back, in Brief exhibition 

‣ Nick Stranks, Bev Hogg and Anna Gianakis, Dimensions Variable 

Contemporary Sculpture Festival, NGA Sculpture Prize 

‣ Zeljko Markov, Sculpture Now ANU School of Art Artforum 

‣ Matthew Curtis, Elizabeth Kelly, Nadege Desgenetez, Meredith Hinchliffe, 

forum The thin line between sculpture and function, Ranamok 2005 Glass Prize 

‣ Joanne Searle, Daniel Maginnity, Paull McKee, Memories in Place: art in high 

PERFORMANCE 

AGAINST KEY 

PERFORMANCE 

INDICATORS 

(KPI’S) & 

PRIORITISED 

INITIATIVES & 

OUTCOMES 

(PIO) 

Supported all 

maintenance 

goals for Craft 

ACT 

KPI # 1,2 

PITO # 1, 2, 

KPI # 1, 2, 9 

PITO # 1, 2, 7 

KPI # 1, 2 

PITO # 1, 2, 6, 7, 

9 

8

country huts artists talks during the tour in the Namadgi National Park 

‣ Paull McKee, Anne Brennan, Brett McNamara, Matthew Higgins, Mark 

Cleghorn forum Interpretations: Imagining Past Present Future 

• Craft ACT developed and participated in a large number of local and national events 

‣ Multicultural Festival 

‣ Cool Glass Hot Art Canberra Glass Conference leading into the Glass Artists 

Society International Conference in Adelaide 

‣ Raw Earth Hot Clay Wood-Fire conference 

‣ Dimensions Variable Contemporary Sculpture Festival with the National Gallery 

of Australia’s National Sculpture Prize. Craft ACT developed and managed a 

major arts festival in Canberra in collaboration with Canberra Contemporary Art 

Space and the ANU School of Art Gallery 

‣ Ranamok 2005 Glass Prize International glass prize 

‣ Craft for Xmas Members Exhibition - Transformations: The language of Craft 

exhibition and conference at the National Gallery of Australia 

‣ Hosted the 2005 National Craft Curators meeting with Object: Australian Centre 

for Design and Craft 

• Education Project: 

‣ Car Cosy was an education project for the Dimensions Variable Contemporary 

Sculpture Festival managed by Craft ACT. Primary School students from after 

care programs at three schools worked with artist Bronwen Sandland to create 

Car Cosy which then toured during the festival. 

• Product launches 2005 included: 

‣ Zeus Platter: Craft ACT Accredited Professional Member Elizabeth Kelly 

launched new range in Canberra, officially launched by leading US Gallery 

Directors, Rick and Ruth Snyderman coinciding with the US Gallery 

Outlook seminar and the Cool Glass Hot Art program. 

‣ Canberra for Connoisseurs: Craft ACT and Canberra Arts Marketing 

hosted a product launch of Craft ACT Accredited Professional Members at 

the Royal Automobile Club of Australia in Sydney. 

‣ Anna Gianakis Café Range: Craft ACT presented its third product launch 

coinciding with the Craft ACT annual end of year event, Partners in Craft. 

Teaming up with kitchen ware retailer, Essential Ingredient, Kingston 

Canberra, Gianakis presented her new range after which it is available for 

sale at Essential Ingredient in Kingston in time for Christmas season. 

• Formed a Philanthropic Sub Committee and have been developing a relationship 

with a targeted company 

• Develop undergraduate membership of Craft ACT to encourage ongoing 

membership for emerging artists. 2005 saw the first implementation of the 

Undergraduate Email membership successfully taken up by 80% of Undergraduates 

from the ANU School of Art 

KPI # 1, 2 

PITO # 1, 2, 7 

KPI # 6, 7 

PITO # 7, 9 

KPI # 2, 3 

PITO # 3 

KPI # 10, 11 

KPI # 8 

PITO # 5 

9

KPI’S 

1. Exhibition partnerships at new venues co 

managed by Curator of Exhibitions and Curator 

of Public Programs 

2. One Curator Intern position available per annum 

3. Craft ACT Product Launch program – High End, 

Hand Made 

4. Investigate retail outlet physical or electronic 

5. Craft ACT website Register of Commercial 

Outlets 

6. In partnership with web designers develop new 

website program 

CRITICAL MILESTONES 

✓ Number of exhibitions increase from 12 to 

14 

✓ Curatorial Intern position filled 

✓ One exhibition curated by intern per annum 

✓ 3 Product Launches hosted 

✓ 1 artists sell work to a commercial outlet 

2005 increasing to 2 in 2006/2007 

‣ Report on viability of commercial outlet 

to Management Committee end 2006 

‣ 50 commercial outlets listed by 2007 

‣ On-line exhibition program launched 

2007 

7. Funding sourced for professional development 

programs 

‣ In partnership with Business ACT roll 

out Applied Ideas industry 

development program mid 2005. If 

successful and funding secure, run 

again in 2006. 

✓ Get with the Program participation 

increases to a minimum of 20 per session. 

8. Undergraduate membership program ✓ ANU 2005 

‣ UCAN and CIT in 2006 

9. Develop an education program with a funded 

project 

✓ 1 education activity as part of one project 

biennially beginning 2005 

10. Form a Philanthropic Sub Committee ✓ Committee formed 

‣ One exhibition sponsored 2006 and 

2007 

10

CURATORIAL PROGRAM AND PROMOTING EMERGING ARTISTS 

The Craft ACT Exhibition Program meets key objectives of the Craft ACT Business Plan: 

• to promote contemporary craft and design , individual craft and design artists and 

Craft ACT; 

• to encourage and develop professionalism and excellence in craft and design 

practice; 

• to encourage a dynamic and responsive climate for the presentation of contemporary 

craft and design practice that fosters innovation. 

Craft ACT: Craft and Design Centre is an organisation that sets the benchmark for professional 

contemporary craft and design presentation in Canberra and beyond. It strives to present a 

program that celebrates individual practice, new ideas and technologies and to challenge 

perceived ideas of contemporary craft and design through curatorial investigation. The exhibition 

program is a response to the Craft ACT business plan and is the flagship of the regions best 

contemporary craft and design. The program is enhanced by Craft ACT’s publication program 

offering quality informative texts and graphic material to complement each exhibition. 

Gallery 1 presented a range of professional exhibitions touching upon a range of media and 

concepts. The year began with Craft ACT’s selection for the National Multicultural Festival, Hoop 

of the World a ceramic exhibition by American Australian artist Merrill Orr. Craft ACT and Object 

Gallery presented the joint project Geometry Rhythm Light: glass and the everyday, curated by 

David Sequeira and which toured to Sydney, Canberra and Hong Kong. Gardenesque was 

toured to Craft ACT from the Ballarat Fine Art Gallery and reflected upon domestic objects and 

nostalgia. Dimensions Variable: Festival of Contemporary Sculpture was an exciting new venture 

demonstrating the strength of Canberra’s arts organisations to present a festival of national 

significance and recognised the strong position of contemporary craft and design within current 

sculpture practice. Ranamok Glass Prize 2005 was launched and the winner announced at Craft 

ACT, a first for the organisation. Memories in Place: art in high country huts was a unique 

exhibition incorporating major offsite installations and public programs and demonstrated the 

value of art and the artist to play a significant role in the reinterpretation of heritage and to 

explore environmental issues. Chora, 24:7 Dwell was a highlight of the year as Craft ACT 

brought Canadian artist Penelope Stewart to Canberra to take part in the remarkable temporary 

public art projects 24:7, initiated by the ACT Government through its agency artsACT. The final 

exhibition for the year and always a favourite with Craft ACT audiences and staff was the Craft 

for Xmas exhibition of members work. 

Gallery 2 emphasized the individual strengths of artists Ian Jones, Alan Swanson, and Gerry 

Wedd. Steve Harkin a Craft ACT Accredited Professional Member travelled to Canberra from the 

UK where he currently resides to present an exhibition of his handmade bags from a period of 

over ten years and which was an extraordinary vision of design and fashion. Alina Jay presented 

new work that she created in response to her experience in the Here and There Project, an 

international exchange of jewellers between the UK and Australia. Jay’s jewellery work was 

created from a meticulous and unique technical process of ceramic slip casting. Madeline Gisz a 

graduate of the ANU School of Art Wood Workshop was the recipient of the Australia Council 

Mentorship program. She worked with Ben Puglisi at his violin and cello atelier. The Gallery 2 

program is made up from individual proposals and Craft ACT programming and in 2005 brought 

together a great selection of Craft ACT Accredited Professional Membership, emerging artists 

and interstate artists. 

Craft ACT provides many further exhibition and presentation opportunities for artists through a 

series of specialised showcases. A purpose built showcase, Crucible, at Craft ACT’s entrance, 

which was part of a public art design brief to lead audiences into Craft ACT which is located on 

the first floor of the North Building has been enjoying more focussed presentations by local 

emerging and established artists. The Craft ACT Front Counter is a small and intimate showcase 

11

of four drawers, displaying small works and products and providing a snapshot of the artists 

work. The Canberra Centre Showcases are a significant set of showcases located in the heart of 

the busy retail complex the Canberra Centre. Exposure to the high number of shoppers is 

invaluable for artists, and it is also a site for the artist to fine tune their presentation to compete 

with the visual information present in the mall. The Land Development Agency is an arm of the 

ACT Government that is currently redeveloping the lakeside suburb of Kingston. Part of this 

redevelopment will be the home of the new Canberra Glass Centre in the refurbished Power 

House. To celebrate this and provide a taste of what is to come, Craft ACT in partnership with the 

Land Development Agency has a special showcase in its foyer which presents the best of local 

glass art. 

In addition: 

• 162 Artists were represented by Craft ACT in 2005 

• The exhibitions represented major new works by Craft ACT Accredited Professional 

Members, emerging and established artists. 

• Approximately 91 emerging artists exhibited in the Craft ACT galleries. This total 

demonstrates Craft ACT’s significant role in bridging the gap between academic study 

and a professional career. 

• Craft ACT is a patron of the Emerging Artist Support Scheme (EASS) at the ANU 

School of Art presenting an exhibition at the Craft ACT Canberra Centre Showcases. 

• Craft ACT is a patron of the annual Canberra Potters Society Members Exhibition and 

offers an exhibition at the Craft ACT Canberra Centre Showcases. 

• Two new patron awards were established in 2005. The Craft ACT Award for an 

emerging artist as part of the Raglan Gallery Annual Ceramics Award, and a Craft ACT 

Award, for a graduate of the Industrial Design course at the University of Canberra. 

• The Mentorship grant is offered annually by the Visual Arts Craft Board of the Australia 

Council and distributed through Craft ACT. Selection for this grant is by peer 

assessment and thanks go to the individuals who make up that peer assessment panel 

for their time and knowledge. 

Each of these awards and grants plays a vital role in assisting emerging artists in establishing 

their practice. 

A full detailed report of the exhibitions presented by Craft ACT is attached in appendix A. 

12

PUBLIC PROGRAM incorporating Publishing, Membership, Marketing programs 

The Craft ACT Public Program meets key objectives of the Craft ACT Business Plan: 

• to promote contemporary craft and design, individual craft and design artists and 

Craft ACT 

• to increase regional, national and international exposure and export of ACT 

contemporary craft and design; 

• to increase and enhance professional development in the sector; 

• foster audience and commercial relationships for contemporary craft artists and 

designers 

• to encourage a knowledge and appreciation of contemporary craft in the wider 

community 

Craft ACT: Craft and Design Centre Public programs and marketing and promotion strategies are 

an important cog of the organisation it is recognised as a vital link between the artists and 

audiences. Craft ACT has provided a more developed Public program as a result of a more 

stable infrastructure and a detailed business plan, yet it is still very limited in its capacity in 

comparison with other state sister organisations, which have all increased staffing numbers. Craft 

ACT looks at opportunities that can assist in these areas and has been successful in finding 

other avenues to push ahead with fresh programs that enhance public participation, awareness 

and understanding. 

Craft ACT has developed programs through other funding opportunities that would not have been 

possible without a stronger staff base that it is currently operating with. Strong public programs 

require fresh ideas and monetary support which Craft Act has been successful in gaining in 2005. 

By collaborating with other organisations and government bodies Craft ACT became a presenter 

and leader of cultural programs for audiences in Canberra and beyond. 

Key events and activities that Craft ACT hosted, collaborated and lead included: 

• Cool Glass Hot Art Program: Craft ACT in collaboration with the ANU School of Art Glass 

Workshop organised a series of exhibitions across Canberra to coincide with the conference, 

artists talks, and master classes that the ANU SoA Glass Workshop presented as a lead up 

to the International Glass Art Societies Annual International Glass Conference held in 

Adelaide in May 2005. Cool Glass Hot Art presented the best of Canberra and Australian 

glass to Canberra, national and international visitors highlighting Canberra’s strength in this 

field of contemporary glass. 

• Raw Heat Hot Clay Program: Craft ACT in collaboration with the Canberra Potters Society, 

the organisers of the Gundaroo Wood-fire Conference ’05 and Straithnairn Gallery and 

Studios, together organised a series of ceramic exhibitions, talks and promoted the Woodfire 

conference to demonstrate the ongoing diversity and significant history and excellence of 

contemporary ceramics in this region to local, national and international artists and 

audiences. 

• Free Undergraduate Membership: Craft ACT developed a strategy to directly approach and 

invite ANU School of Art undergraduates to take up free email based membership with Craft 

ACT. 86% of undergraduates targeted became new members with Craft ACT. 

• (Get With) The Program: In partnership with Canberra Contemporary Art Space, Craft ACT 

presented for the second year running a series of advice seminars on issues for professional 

practice. With the primary target being emerging artists, it was discovered that other 

members with no tertiary qualifications were being provided with crucial support. The 

seminars included: Grant Writing; Documentation + Credit Information; Taxation + Arts Law; 

Design – manipulating files/images; Awards/Competitions/Exhibition proposals; 

Commissions; and Critical Writing 

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• Craft In Site: Craft ACT managed devolved funding from the Australia Council for the Craft in 

Site program of quick response grants for presentation and critical writing. This initiative was 

picked up readily by local contemporary craft and design practitioners attracting more 

applications than grants available. A significant outcome of this program from the past two 

years has been the encouragement and exposure for new critical writers in the field of 

contemporary craft and design in this region. This has been an important strategy for writers 

in this area to have much needed exposure to develop their writing skills and importantly 

broaden the filed of critical debate here in the Canberra region. 

• Creative Fibre: Craft ACT had a presence at the Kingston Old Bus Depot Markets Textiles 

Bonanza a well publicised and well attended weekend event. Craft ACT put together a 

display of work by Belinda Jessup, Joanne Robinson, Sarah Hutchison, Anne Wilsford and 

Emma Rees. A lot of people were very enthusiastic about the work and genuinely 

impressed, and information about artists and upcoming exhibitions creating exposure for 

artists and Craft ACT was distributed. 

• High End: Hand Made 1: As part of Craft ACT’s ongoing promotion of Accredited 

Professional Members, artist Elizabeth Kelly launched the new Studio Tangerine Zeus 

Platters. The media Launch of Elizabeth Kelly’s Zeus Platters was held at Craft ACT on 12 

May, and was officially launched by leading US Gallery Directors Rick and Ruth Snyderman, 

from Philadelphia. An evening public event was hosted on the same day for the general 

public. 

• High End: Hand Made 2 Canberra for Connoisseurs: Canberra Arts Marketing and Craft 

ACT negotiated an exclusive display at the Royal Automobile Club Australia in Sydney, 

which included the works of Elizabeth Kelly Jonathan Basket, F!nk and Co and Janet 

DeBoos. To extend Craft ACT audiences and relationships with businesses this venture was 

worthwhile in terms of exposure and the sales that were made. This was held from 13 - 30 

May at Royal Automobile Club of Australia. 

• US Gallery Outlook a Craft ACT and Canberra Arts Marketing professional development 

seminar. Leading US Gallery Directors, Rick and Ruth Snyderman provided a key note 

address on this topic and were joined by Craft ACT Accredited Professional Member Janet 

DeBoos, NGA Senior Curator Decorative Arts Robert Bell, Austrade Industry Specialist John 

Odgers and Catrina Vignando General Manager Craft Australia to discuss export and 

international markets 

• Dimensions Variable, Festival of Contemporary Sculpture Canberra: Craft ACT: Craft and 

Design Centre, Canberra Contemporary Art Space and the ANU School of Art presented the 

Dimensions Variable Contemporary Sculpture Festival which successfully bridged the gap 

between national and local institutions offering the best in contemporary craft and art to 

diverse audiences. The festival included exhibitions at each of the host organisations, the 

National Gallery of Australia’s (NGA) biennial National Sculpture Prize, and a number of 

exhibitions at commercial galleries in Canberra. 

The festival included tours to sites of public art, studios and gardens. Three tours conducted 

by the host organisations included a tour of domestic gardens featuring original sculptural 

works, a tour of sculptor artist studios and a tour of the public art in the Civic area. In addition 

there were also tours of the NGA’s Sculpture Prize, the NGA’s Sculpture Garden, the AWM 

sculpture gallery and garden, and the ANU’s International Sculpture Park. 

A very successful sculpture education project with three primary schools was achieved as 

part of the festival. Artist Bronwen Sandland created a knitted car cosy with students in the 

after school programs from each primary school. A total of 50 students were involved, each 

producing a knitted square for the cosy. The final work was then shown at all the events and 

tours as well as making appearances at the schools involved. This work also attracted 

interstate attention through reviews and newsletters. 

A series of artists talks were organised including: five artist talks at Canberra Contemporary 

14

Art Space; Craft ACT: Craft and Design Centre; the NGA; and the ANU School of Art. The 

Canberra Contemporary Art Space and Craft ACT hosted an artist’s talk at the beginning 

and end of the festival respectively. The ANU School of Art Gallery hosted a performance 

work by one of its exhibiting artists Ellis Hutch. As part of the ANU School of Art Artforum 

program of public lectures, two sessions were programmed with one occurring at the Art 

School and the second at the NGA. The NGA also hosted a Sculpture Prize forum that was 

included in the festival program. The talks were well attended by local and interstate visitors 

both as participants and audiences of the festival. 

• The Thin Line Between Sculpture and Function: Contextualising the glass object: This forum 

posed the following questions to a selected panel. What defines sculptural glass? To what 

extent does utilitarian and production glass affect an artists practice? What is the ultimate 

context for contemporary glass? Guests on the panel included: Matthew Curtis—glass artist; 

Elizabeth Kelly—glass artist & designer; Nadege Desgenetez—glass artist & senior lecturer 

ANU School of Art Glass Workshop; Meredith Hinchliffe—reviewer and critic. A session that 

allowed audiences and artists to discuss pertinent issues in this field and expose current 

trends and thinking. 

• Arts and business Xchange: Business and Arts Development Forum: A forum aimed at 

bringing business leaders and Canberra Arts Marketing members for discussions about 

leadership collaboration and creative industries development. Approximately 27 people 

attended the evening. Craft ACT was host for the evening event, and assisted with the 

general running of the evening. The event was held in Gallery 1 and 2 during the Ranamok 

exhibition. 

• Memories in Place: art in high country huts: Craft ACT was successful in obtaining an ACT 

Heritage Grant to present the project Memories in Place: art in high country huts. The project 

consisted of an exhibition at Craft ACT and importantly an installation in three old pioneering 

pastoralists’ huts – Brayshaws, Westermans and Waterhole huts, within the Namadgi 

National Park. Craft ACT worked in collaboration with the Namadgi National Park, Park 

Rangers and the Kosciuszko Huts Association (KHA). This enabled us to achieve the 

installation of site specific art works created by three ACT artists. Craft ACT and the other 

host organisations supported a tour with information sessions about the National Park 

provided by the park rangers, about each hut provided by KHA, and each installation by the 

artists. Consideration of the environmental impact the tour was restricted to one bus load of 

people and 31 persons attended the event. A survey was compiled to review the 

effectiveness of the event. Participants were asked to fill out the survey at the end of the day 

reflecting their experience before and during the event and very positive feedback was 

gained. The survey also included an option for participants to leave their details to be added 

to a email mailing list for future events notice. This option was filled in by 90% of the 

attendees and is used to send out information of forthcoming public programs. 

• Interpretation: Imagining Past Present Future Forum: This forum was held in conjunction 

with the Memories in Place project. This one day forum provided the opportunity for 

attendees to explore the possibilities that art and artists can bring to interpreting heritage and 

environment sites. The speakers included Paull McKee, artist; Matthew Higgins National 

Museum of Australia; Anne Brennan artist and writer; Mark Cleghorn President of the 

Kosciuszko Huts Association; Brett McNamara, District Manager Namadgi National Park. 

The forum was held on 5 November at the Namadgi Visitor Information Centre, and 50 

persons attended the event which included persons who also attended the day trip to visit 

the installations at the huts. Participants were asked to fill out the survey at the end of the 

forum to gather their comments about the event. This survey included an option for 

participants to leave their details to be added to an email mailing list for future events notice. 

This option was filled in by most of the attendees. This information is used to send out 

information of forthcoming public programs. Positive results from the survey commented on 

the event as being interesting, stimulating and enjoyable. Many attendees inquired about the 

next forum and program involving the arts and the environment. 

15

• High End: Hand Made 3: The annual Partners in Craft night was held on Tuesday 6 

December to present the launch of Accredited Professional Member Anna Gianakis’ Café 

Range. This evening focused on the launch of the Café Range, featuring a cup and saucer, 

sweets plate and milk jug by ceramicist Anna Gianakis and featured the display and sale of 

her products accompanied by sumptuous pastries. Approaching Essential Ingredient, a high 

end home wares retailer in Canberra, Anna was successful in having the range stocked as 

of 12 December 2005. Most of the Café Range products sold out on the evening as well as 

other Craft for Xmas items by Craft ACT members. The general feedback about the product 

launch was positive and reflected an interest in the products displayed and the atmosphere 

generated by the evening. Most of the products sold out on the evening. Craft ACT 

continues to work with artists to launch new products. 

Craft ACT continues to find new ways to improve and enhance membership and marketing 

strategies within its public program abilities. Large inroads in its direct contact with members, 

artists and key networks through email blitzes, have been made with these fast turn around 

information processes. The Craft ACT newsletter has been reassessing how it can be an 

effective information and promotion tool. Now that information on many opportunities is 

distributed through the email blitzes, the space in the newsletter can be dedicated to new writing 

under the title 4. 4 is a critical essay focussing on four of Craft ACT’s Accredited Professional 

Members by emerging and established writers here in the ACT. All the information presented 

above demonstrates significant and an enormous amount of activity for such a small organisation 

as Craft ACT. 

A full detailed report of the exhibitions presented by Craft ACT is attached in appendix A. 

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Craft ACT: Craft + Design Centre: 2005 Annual Report

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