We are delighted to announce the 30 selected finalists for the augural MAKE Award: Biennial Prize for Innovation in Australian Craft and Design.

The MAKE Award is a new national award for Australian designer makers and is the richest non-acquisitive prize for craft and design in Australia.

The winner will receive a cash prize of $35,000 and a second prize of $10,000 will be awarded.

Australian designer makers were encouraged to submit a work that demonstrated innovation in technique or material use, and is an extension of their usual practice.

A total of 187 entries were received from designers makers working across the fields of ceramics, glass, furniture, metal, jewellery, textiles and fibre.

The judges have selected 30 finalists.

Finalists:

Luke Abbot
Kelly Austin
Andrea Barker
Julie Blyfield
Samuel Burns (Sabu Studio)
Lisa Cahill
Cobi Cockburn
Csongvay Blackwood
Carly Tarkari Dodd
Evan Dunstone
Gretal Ferguson
Hannah Gason
Minqi Gu
Rowena, Juliana, Angela Foong (High Tea with Mrs Woo)
Kumuntjai Napanangka Jack
Cara Johnson
Sherrie Knipe
Korban/Flaubert
Johannes Kuhnen
Ruth Ju-shih Li
Brenda Livermore
Nick Mount
Jessica Murtagh
Kenny (Yong soo) Son
Studio Ventana X Tim Noone
Vipoo Srivilasa
Bic Tieu
Angela Valamanesh
Liz Williamson
Damien Wright and Bonhula Yunupingu

The winner will be announced on Thursday 28 September 2023

Judges are Lisa Cahill, CEO and Artistic Director, Australian Design Centre; Hyeyoung CHO, Chairperson, The Korea Association of Art and Design and Jury Member Loewe Craft Prize; Brian Parkes, CEO, JamFactory; Jason Smith, Director, Geelong Gallery.

Read more about the judges here

The MAKE Award is an initiative of Australian Design Centre

Make Award Finalist Exhibition at Australian Design Centre

Make Award brand design by Stephen Goddard, featuring details of works by finalists, photos courtesy of the artists.

An exhibition of the finalists' works will presented at Australian Design Centre, with the winner announced on Thursday 28 September 2023.

Exhibition Dates: 28 September—22 November 2023
Location: Australian Design Centre
101–115 William Street Darlinghurst NSW, Gadigal Land
Entry: Free

After launching at Australian Design Centre, the exhibition will then tour to:
JamFactory (SA): 15 December 2023—28 April 2024
Geelong Gallery (VIC): 10 August—27 October 2024