Expression of Interest: Exhibition Lead, Ballarat Craft & Design Week 2026
Expression of Interest - Ballarat Craft and Design Week 2026 - Exhibition Lead
INTRODUCTION
Craft Lab is evolving into Ballarat Craft and Design Week. Craft Lab is the annual activity which supports the craft and visual arts sector within Ballarat. This program is now developing to respond to the needs of artists, makers, manufacturers, production houses and more.
The inaugural Ballarat Craft and Design Week (1-10 May 2026) is seeking an Exhibition Lead who will be responsible for the artistic direction, curation, and delivery of the exhibition component. This role involves working closely with selected collaborators to develop and present high-quality, engaging exhibitions that reflect the themes of textile, memory, resource, materiality, and connection.
BALLARAT CRAFT & DESIGN WEEK 2026
Ballarat is a nationally recognised hub for innovative craft and design, where collaboration, sustainability, and cultural connection drive creative excellence and community enrichment.
Ballarat Craft and Design Week theme for 2026 is Bound, celebrating meaningful collaboration between craft and design practitioners, communities, and cultural industries. The emphasis for 2026 is on textile, memory, and restorative practices.
A select cohort of collaborating makers, artists and producers will be stepped through comprehensive professional development and, with the support of the Exhibition Lead, will be guided towards the production of a curated exhibition hosted in the heritage Mining Exchange 1-10 May 2026.
BACKGROUND
As a UNESCO Creative City of Crafts and Folk Art, the City of Ballarat has invested in support for visual arts and crafts practitioners since 2021 through a dedicated program, Craft Lab. For the past five years a cohort of craft practitioners have undertaken sector development training before presenting their skills to the community in a public event attracting over 7,500 participants year on year.
While the Craft Lab initiative has become a deeply popular and well-loved part of the Ballarat creative ecosystem, the growth of the initiative has led to a need to reframe the program to ensure a wider group can participate. The event has moved into a new dedicated time slot on the calendar and the City of Ballarat is seeking to establish Ballarat Craft and Design Week.
Today only individual craft practitioners are celebrated. But the future of Craft and Design Week is to ensure the wider creative service ecosystem, such as designers, manufacturers, raw material producers and others can participate. It will be the role of the Exhibition Lead to help bring these participants together and tell their stories in a rich and meaningful way.
SCOPE OF THE CONTRACT
The City of Ballarat is seeking submissions from qualified project managers and exhibition curators to lead and deliver the artistic vision and exhibition concept for Ballarat Craft and Design Week 2026.
The scope of the contract includes:
• Leading the artistic vision and exhibition concept development alongside the Creative City Team at the City of Ballarat.
• Participating in the selection and management of up to 18 practitioners (minimum of 12) and collaborators alongside a Professional Development Lead.
• Commission and manage community-led artwork resulting in an installation connected to the cohort’s exhibition.
• Curating and overseeing the installation and deinstallation of exhibitions.
• Designing the exhibition flow and visitor journey to create moments of awe and engagement
• Ensuring accessibility, clarity and emotional response to the exhibition presentation.
• Coordinate event operations and ensure a positive visitor experience.
• Collaborate with other team members including marketing and communications.
• Attending regular work-in-progress meetings with the Creative City team to ensure alignment
The key responsibility of this contract is to develop the exhibition concept, content and interpretive materials, ensuring they align with the objectives of the program. This contract is responsible for the production of exhibition components including graphics, displays, lighting and managing the logistics of installation and de-installation. All aspects of the exhibition must meet the required standards of quality, safety, accessibility
The Exhibition Lead is one of the main contact points for artists, lenders, vendors and internal stakeholders. They must foster strong relationships and work to resolve issues.
The Exhibition Lead will be responsible for the development and implementation of project plans and timelines and provide regular updates to the Creative City team. This role is one which leads and motivates cross-functional teams including the selected cohort of practitioners, together with a Professional Development Lead.