4 October 2022: Expressions of interest are now open to participate in the 2023 Melbourne Design Week, Australia’s leading design festival. Now in its seventh year, in 2023 the celebration of local and international design excellence will take place 18 – 28 May. Applications for expressions of interest will close on 26 November 2022.
Melbourne Design Week 2023 invites participants to respond to the theme ‘Design the world you want’ encouraging the design industry to utilise creative thinking to address pressing issues facing today’s society.
The 2023 program will feature talks, tours, workshops, and exhibitions across Melbourne and Victoria and will be guided by three thematic pillars: transparency, currency and legacy.
Participation in Design Week is free with annual programs already confirmed including Melbourne Art Book Fair, Open House Melbourne (Centre for Architecture Victoria) events, and the 2022 NGV Architecture Commission: Temple of Boom by Adam Newman and Kelvin Tsang.
Melbourne Design Fair returns for a second year, presented in collaboration with Melbourne Art Foundation, and will take place on the first weekend of Melbourne Design Week, 18 – 21 May. From 2023, the Fair will be held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, solidifying the event as the leading platform for the presentation, promotion, and sale of collectible design in the region. Melbourne Design Fair is the first of its kind in Australia to bring together designers, design organisations, agencies, studios and galleries with collectors to meet over one weekend. Applications to participate in Melbourne Design Fair open in November 2022.
The Melbourne Art Book Fair, now in its ninth year, will feature the annual Stallholder Fair held in NGV International’s Great Hall from 19 – 21 May and a satellite program of events taking place from 18 – 28 May across metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria at bookshops, galleries, libraries, community centres, public gardens and design studios.
Minister for Creative Industries, Steve Dimopoulos said, ‘Victoria’s creative industries are a powerhouse for design, recognised across the country and the world. This program acknowledges some of Victoria’s most compelling talent alongside international innovators in Australia’s largest showcase of design industry excellence.’
Tony Ellwood AM, Director, NGV, said: ‘Melbourne Design Week is a celebration of design thinkers who are not only shaping today’s society but also planning for the needs of future generations. Through this program we celebrate the design industry and welcome curious minds to explore creativity and innovation through a series of accessible talks, tours and exhibitions across Melbourne.’
Melbourne Design Week is an initiative of the Victorian Government, delivered by Creative Victoria and the National Gallery of Victoria. The 2023 program will run from Thursday 18 to Sunday 28 May. Applications to participate are now open via designweek.melbourne.
Melbourne Design Week is proudly supported by Major Partners Mercedes-Benz and Telstra, and Design Partner RMIT University.
Key Dates:
26 November 2022 – Applications for Melbourne Design Week and Melbourne Art Book Fair expressions of interests close
November 2022 – Applications for Melbourne Design Fair open
18 – 28 May 2023 – Melbourne Design Week
18 – 21 May – Melbourne Design Fair
18 – 28 May – Melbourne Art Book Fair Satellite Program across Victoria
19 – 21 May – Melbourne Art Book Fair Stallholder Fair
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