Get ready for SCW 2018

Sydney Craft Week Expressions of Interest open in May. Now is a good time to start thinking ahead about your event.

Want to get involved, but not sure where to begin? Here are some ideas, tips and points to consider.
 

Sydney Craft Week (SCW) Expressions of Interest are now open. It is open to individuals, collectives or organisations wanting to host an event.

In 2017, the main event categories included Workshops, Open Studios, Exhibitions, Talks, Live Demonstrations and Retail Events. There were some pop ups, markets and meet the maker experiences too. We also saw some really unique events, which we would love to see more of this year, like crafty walking tours, speed-dating with clay and finding craft in surprising locations like UTS Library and the Royal Botanical Gardens.

We can't wait to see how the festival evolves and grows in 2018!


Sydney Craft Week Key Dates and Timeline

We are excited to announce the SCW 2018 timeline. Put these dates in your diary now.

3 May: Expressions of Interest open
14 June: Expressions of Interest close
28 June: Participants confirmed and notified
2 August: Final text, images and advertising artwork for program due
Friday 5 – Sunday 14 October: Festival


SCW Event inspiration

If you are looking to host an event, but not sure what to do yet, we recommend glancing at the 2017 guide for inspiration. We have also brainstormed some ideas for events that you may like to consider. We would love to see a really eclectic and diverse program, so feel free to think outside the square!

If you need some event inspiration, have you considered:

• Pairing food and craft together in an event (SCW also falls during Good Food Month)
• Intergenerational activities – something for young and old!
• Teaming up with writers and bloggers
• Hosting a craft swap meet
• Creating a collaborative / public installation work
• Collaborating with craft suppliers and retailers for a bespoke event / offer
• Getting your office involved in craft activities
• Running an event to get to know your neighbours over craft
• Running a craft competition or prize
• What about releasing podcasts, webinars, digital craft howto’s, or a curated blog series?
• Hosting a talk or panel with useful tips on the business side of craft
• Hosting a ‘Meet the Maker’ or networking events for makers
• Getting your school or university clubs and societies involved
• Crafternoons! Host an open craft making session

For Consideration

Here are a few extra tips and pointers to help you prepare:

• Start asking questions like: Where will I host my event? Is the venue available? Will there be a fee and how will I ticket the event? Who can I collaborate or work with? Who will be my target audience? What is the budget for the event? What dates will I host the event?
• While Sydney Craft Week is held within a 10 day timeframe, we encourage events to fall either side or overlap with Sydney Craft Week: Friday 5 – Sunday 14 October 2018. Do not feel too restricted by the date timeframe. As long as some of your event is held within the ‘week’ or held immediately before or after, then it is eligible for consideration.
• As you will need to submit photographs in your EOI - start preparing and taking photos now! Strong, eye catching photos to support your event will really make your event stand out and appeal to your audience. Think about composition, lighting and styling when taking your photos. Great photos are really appreciated! City East Community College offer photography courses – and of course you can find great tips online and from other local community courses and institutions. (There is more information below about photography requirements when submitting your application.)
• You may need to consider getting public liability insurance for your event. Chat with the venue or get some advice from NAVA or your preferred insurance advisor.
   

FAQ

I am a maker, how can I get involved?

Approach your favourite local retailer / café / creative space or talk to your local council and community centres. Maybe they would be happy to partner, sponsor, collaborate or host your event idea?
If collaborating or hosting a ‘big’ event is not quite your style, why not host an Open Studio or take part in live demonstrations. Get a few creative friends together and make a day of it.
Alternatively, apply to be a stallholder at a local market, or enter work into a group exhibition and suggest the organisers list the market/ show as a SCW event.


I am already running an event in October, can I list it as a SCW event?

YES! As long as it relates broadly to craft and is being held in Sydney or surrounds, then yes! There were some great crafty events already planned over Sydney in October 2017 that tied in beautifully with the SCW programming last year, such as the Artisans in the Gardens exhibition and Made by Hand: Hazelhurst Art and Design Market.


I would like to host more than one event for SCW - how should I fill out the application form?

If you would like to submit a series of events at the one location, you only need to complete one form. Please note, you only have 150 words to describe your event/s, per application.

If you want to host events at different locations, or that are uniquely different, please complete one submission form for each event. This will incur a participation fee for each event, and your events will be listed separately in the guide. 


Do you have any guidelines for submitting photographs to SCW EOI application form?

Eye catching, good quality photographs are really important to support your event. Here are some tips:

-Photo Size: 500KB – 1MB
-Provide photographs in both landscape and portrait format
-Do not submit photo collages - one image per file please
-Do not overlay graphics or text on to your photograph
-Do not provide blurry or badly lit photos - they will not be accepted and we will request re-submission.
 

Photo titles:

Please clearly title your files. 
ie, ADC_MakersMarket_2017_Photographer_SimonCardwell.jpg
or you may like to title your photos under your event/organisation name.

Please do not submit photos like this: IMG3879.jpg

Photo credits:

Please credit your photos in the following format:

-Photograph of an artwork: Artist name, title, dimensions, date, Photographer.

-General photograph: Caption/description, date, Photographer.


What events are Australian Design Centre (ADC) hosting this year for Sydney Craft Week?

These exhibitions will be held at ADC:

• In these Hands ‘Mara nyanganka' – 70th anniversary exhibition of Ernabella Arts
• Seed Stitch Contemporary Textiles Award 2018
• Dorothy Filshie (Object Space)

ADC will also host an outdoor market on 13 October

* Keep your eyes peeled on the ADC's website and social media for updates, as the programming develops.

For more information on SCW, check out our FAQs page.


Contact

We hope these tips have been helpful and that you will apply to be part of SCW 2018. Please share this with all your crafty friends and colleagues. 
If you have any questions, please get in touch with the Sydney Craft Week team:

Email: hello@australiandesigncentre.com
Phone: 9361 4555

Web: www.sydneycraftweek.com
Social: @sydneycraftweek