Arts and fashion retailers meet on global trends

CoS Knowledge Exchange Galleries and Fashion WeekSydney’s creative businesses will be able to sign up for a national summit for gallerists and artists, as well as fashion industry seminars to help increase productivity and sales.

The City of Sydney’s knowledge exchange grants has provided Museums and Galleries NSW with $20,000 sponsorship for a four-day summit at Eveleigh’s Carriageworks – convening 200 gallery professionals and artists from Australia and New Zealand. The Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences will receive a $38,000 grant and in-kind support for a series of fashion, retail and design seminars focused on global retail and online trends.

Both projects will support local businesses in acquiring knowledge, skills and market insights to help them grow and manage issues facing their sector.

“We designed these knowledge exchange grants to give practical support for Sydney’s cultural life,” said Lord Mayor Clover Moore. “They give people working in Sydney’s creative industries the opportunity to build connections, share knowledge and expand their businesses. It’s a key part of our broader program of support for creative culture alongside sponsorships, public programs and making available affordable space for creative projects.”

The Museums and Galleries NSW Summit in March 2018 will take place in Sydney for the first time and feature events to create dialogue and build relationships between gallery professionals and Sydney artists. Artists will have the opportunity to meet and share ideas with summit delegates, while resources from the event will be published and shared online for the wider arts community.

The Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences seminar series, The Australian Style: Global Impact, will attract retailers, designers, media, buyers and education providers. The first seminar in January 2018 and second seminar during Australian Fashion Week in May 2018 will feature discussions on the future of retailing, including the impact of online retail and Amazon. They will also discuss taking Australian fashion to global markets and the business of fashion and innovation and retail.

For more information about the City of Sydney’s Knowledge Exchange Program, visit: www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au for details.

Image: Project NEXTGEN Runway Show, Victoria Bliss Collection. Carriageworks, Sydney