Victoria’s leading Indigenous organisation, the Koorie Heritage Trust (KHT), are calling for Expressions of Interest for their Blak Design program.
An Australian first, Blak Design is an exciting four-year initiative to foster Victorian First Nations led innovation within the design sector and provide a platform for nurturing sustainable, Indigenous-led and operated design businesses.
Each year, Blak Design will focus on a different design discipline, providing mentoring in design, production, and small business skills to nurture long-term sustainable design practices.
“We want to work with artists, craftspeople and designers living in Victoria to support their long-term sustainable design practice, says Koorie Heritage Trust CEO, Tom Mosby. “This program is an important step in this process by bringing together mentors and industry leaders to work with and nurture talented Indigenous makers.”
In 2020 the spotlight is on supporting First Nations contemporary jewellery design practices through the Blak Design: KHT Jewellery Program. Over four months, participants in the program will take part in a series of free hands-on jewellery design and making workshops, as well as small business skills tutorials.
During this time, participants will have access to cultural mentors, design professionals, jewellers and industry practitioners and experts, as well as onsite visits and networking opportunities in jewellery design studios, galleries and stores across Melbourne.
At the end of the program, an additional opportunity will be awarded to up to three participants. This opportunity will enable these participants to be mentored and work towards realising their own jewellery design collection for production, launch and sale in 2021.
Blak Design is underpinned by the International Indigenous Design Charter – Protocols for sharing Indigenous Knowledge in professional design practice and is supported by the Ian Potter Foundation, and developed in partnership with the National Gallery of Victoria and RMIT University.
Applications for Blak Design open on Tuesday 1 September and close Tuesday 13 October – 5.00pm. For more information, including guidelines, selection criteria and how to apply, visit: www.koorieheritagetrust.com.au for details.
Image: Maree Clarke, Thung-ung Coorang (Kangaroo Tooth Necklace) collection (detail), 2018. Kangaroo teeth, kangaroo sinew, 3D printed and gold-plated kangaroo teeth, seeds, oxidised sterling silver – photo courtesy of the National Gallery of Victoria