The Craft ACT Shop under construction!

Shop Gala Opening

At 4pm on Saturday 23 May, the red ribbon was cut, the Craft ACT Shop was officially launched, and the crowded foyer and gallery spilled in to snap up exquisite locally made objects. The celebrations continued as guests enjoyed the musical entertainment of Simon Millman and Matthew, and the sumptuous local wines provided by Ross Di Bartolo Vineyard Estate.

Opening the door for its first day of trading on Tuesday 26 May, the staff of Craft ACT invite all members, friends and the Canberra community to visit and enjoy unique and creative objects of contemporary craft and design.

so what's the latest?

May 2009 - gala opening

No longer under construction, Craft ACT is pleased to announce the launch of the Craft ACT Shop. We are excited about this venture that will provide a new retailing opportunity for craft and design practitioners, reaching audiences and collectors in the Canberra region, as well as those visiting from interstate.

Under wraps for the final few weeks the Craft ACT Shop will be officially opened 4pm Saturday 23 May, at Craft ACT: Craft and Design Centre, Level 1 North Building, Civic Square. A warm invitation is extended to all our members, friends, supporters and the Canberra community to join the celebration of local talent, with exquisite objects sourced directly from the studios of local makers and enjoy local wines provided by Ross Di Bartolo Vineyard Estate.

April 2009

The staff of Craft ACT extends our thanks to all members who responded to the call for Expressions of Interest for the new Craft ACT Shop. We have been delighted by the surge of interest and have now reached capacity for the launch. However we are very interested in new work and are accepting Expressions of Interest (EOI) on a rolling basis. Please be advised that the next EOI's will be assessed and artists notified by the end of June. If you have any questions please contact Craft ACT on 02 6262 9333.

All the while the vibe in the office is similar to a child waiting for Christmas, as we too are eagerly awaiting the delivery of the objects from our members' studios. And then we get to play dress-up and deck out the shop with objects of good design and quality, the fun, the quirky, the cutting edge, and the stylish, all of which will leave us wanting to collect and feather our nests. The Craft ACT Shop aims to add to the diverse shopping experience available in Canberra, giving locals and visitors a place that showcases the work of artists who are largely members and locally based. It seems that we are on the same page as the Chief Minister.

Chief Minister and Minister for Business and Economic Development Jon Stanhope has joined with members of the local business community in urging Canberrans to shop locally.

"Due to the current global economic situation, it is important that the ACT Government continues to actively support the local business community in any way we can. We need to work together to help cushion our businesses, and their employees, from any significant decline in consumer confidence, and Canberrans spending their money locally is one way that we can all help," Mr Stanhope said.

"The 'one off' government payments will mean that many Canberrans will have a little extra to spend and we'd like to see some of this money being spent in our local retail and hospitality outlets", Mr Stanhope said. Read the full media release.

March 2009

There is light at the end of the tunnel and all it takes is a flip of the switch to bring alive the Craft ACT Shop. Still a heavily guarded secret with the details being kept under lock and key, the interior of the shop is evolving into a space carefully honed to house unique and creative objects of contemporary craft and design. Rolling full steam ahead the staff, Barb, Jas, Di and Alice have been conjuring our local artists out of their studio and into the boardroom for more secret meetings. We are proud to say that the shop will burst at the seams with good quality designed products, including the fun, the quirky, the cutting edge and the stylish, all collectable and made with passion and purpose.

From the Executive Director

Over the past few years Craft ACT: Craft and Design Centre has had an increasing demand to provide further support for our members and artists and to respond to an increasing number of enquiries from our audiences for access to their products. In 2007 we heralded the development of a retail space here at Craft ACT with our funding partners artsACT and the Australia Council and over 2008 developed a detailed business plan to implement these expanded services.

The primary aims of the Craft ACT Shop are to provide more opportunities for our audiences to connect with our members and artists and satisfy demand for their product, and to provide more opportunities to build sustainability for the fantastic local craft and design talent here in Canberra.

Craft ACT clearly retains its focus as a not for profit organisation and the Craft ACT Shop has been carefully developed to be able to support itself and over time generate enough income to bring on board a staff member dedicated to the shop itself. The staff and Management Committee will be closely monitoring the shop to ensure that it enhances the organisation and benefits audiences and members.

February 2009

Dust, paint fumes and the drone of the vacuum is in the air at Craft ACT as the premises is gripped in change. The space is evolving, the staff have relocated across the hall, walls are going up, and the creative talent of Craig Harris, Tom Skeehan and Daniel Maginnity have been employed to transform a blank canvas into the Craft ACT Shop. The outcome is a heavily guarded secret, but here are some adjectives to help fire your imagination - unique, creative, inspirational and innovative. Keep one eye on the website and the other on your email and postbox, as more information will be divulged in the lead up to the opening in May!

December 2008

The retail venture is rolling full steam ahead, and so it is time to keep our members and friends informed. We have received interest from a diverse range of artists and will following up with more. Executive Director Barbara McConchie and Finance Administrator Alice Macdonald have been actively researching the retail environment in a recent trip to Melbourne. Jas Hugonnet Curator/Exhibition Manager has been busy designing the fit out talking with member Craig Harris about the building component. Curator of Public Programs Diana Hare is working on the promotion campaign, and the Management Committee have been working with Barbara and Alice looking over all the facts and figures. Keep your finger on the pulse and watch this space for more.