Creative minds wanted to host events

DESIGNERS, artists and innovators are being called on to host events as part of the 10-day Geelong Design Week festival to be held in March next year.

Applications are now open for those interested in being a key part of the event which champions creativity and innovation and is scheduled to run from March 17-27, 2022.

The event theme is ‘Taur’ which means ‘belonging’ in the language of the Wadawurrung people, traditional owners of Djilang (Geelong).

A total of 54 local creatives hosted events across this year’s program, which included the hugely successful RONE In Geelong exhibition at Geelong Gallery.

Another highlight was the Open Studios Trail, with 819 people following the trail to discover 15 local artists in studios and creative venues across the Bellarine Peninsula.

Geelong mayor Stephanie Asher said suitable events would include art and design exhibitions, workshops, tours, fashion collaborations, sustainability workshops, projections, pop-up spaces, innovative dining experiences and forums.

“This year’s design week was an outstanding success, with more than 6000 people attending 69 events across the region,” Cr Asher said.

“Almost a third of the audience came from outside Greater Geelong, providing a vital boost for artists as well as our tourism and hospitality businesses.

“We’re looking for highly engaging events that showcase how design can respond to our need to belong, how we are creating places and spaces accessible to all, and how staying connected keeps us safe and promotes a better quality of life.”

Cr Peter Murrihy, chair of the Economic Development portfolio, said design was being used to shape Geelong’s future as Australia’s only UNESCO City of Design.

“Celebrating clever design and creativity is part of our culture,” Cr Murrihy said.

“A staggering 95 per cent of people who attended this year’s event said they would attend the event again in 2022.

“The theme of belonging highlights the importance of designing with equity, inclusion and diversity in mind.

“Every design decision we make can include or exclude people in different ways.”

Applications to host events close on Sunday, October 31. For more information visit the Geelong Design Week website.