Released 16/06/2026
The ACT Government is proud to once again support the 2026 Craft + Design Canberra Festival, one of Canberra’s signature events spanning public art, digital design, performance, exhibitions and community-led initiatives.
Held from 5 – 15 November, the Festival continues to grow, attracting more than 140,000 attendees and delivering significant economic and cultural benefits for the Territory.
The ACT Government has committed more than $1.2 million to support the 2026 festival and associated initiatives, including project funding, festival delivery and design awards. The projects are supported by the City of Design Major Projects Fund.
With local artists and designers at its core, this year’s event will explore the theme Dissent, highlighting the role of creativity in challenging ideas, encouraging new perspectives and fostering meaningful public dialogue.
Minister for Business, Arts and Creative Industries Michael Pettersson said the Festival highlights the depth of talent in Canberra’s design community.
“This is about giving Canberrans and visitors new ways to experience design.” Minister Pettersson said.
“That is why we’re funding projects right across Canberra, including public installations, performances and exhibitions.
“The City of Design Festival proves Canberra is a place where creativity and innovation thrive.”
The funded projects reflect the breadth and ambition of Canberra’s creative sector. Highlights include:
- Australian Dance Party’s Clothing the Loop at CIT Woden, and the Tuggeranong Community Arts Association’s Weaving Waters at the Tuggeranong Arts Centre.
- In Belconnen, Liz Lea’s Alter will be presented at Belco Arts. The Canberra Game Developers Association will also present Digital Dissent at the National Film and Sound Archive in Acton.
- Matthew Curtis’s Revitrification will feature at the Australian National Botanic Gardens. These projects sit alongside city-based works such as Eggpicnic’s Stories in the Dark in Civic Square.
The funding expands opportunities for local artists, designers and creative businesses to develop and present ambitious work. It supports Canberra’s progress toward recognition in the UNESCO Creative Cities Network, showcasing our city’s design excellence.
For more information visit the artsACT website www.arts.act.gov.au/
Quote attributable to Jarrod Farquhar-Nicol, President of CanDev:
"CanDev is thrilled to be running Digital Dissent, a showcase commissioning new Canberra-made microgames co-curated by the National Film and Sound Archive's Games Curator.
“The Craft + Design Festival supporting games is a huge achievement and will allow mentoring, creation, display and documenting of exciting new interactive works from local game makers."
Quote attributable to Camila De Gregorio, Co-Founder, Eggpicnic:
“Stories in the Dark reflects our belief that design can make ecological stories impossible to ignore.
“Support through the City of Design Project Fund allows us to create our first-ever light-responsive public art installation, here in Canberra, transforming Civic Square into a space for ecological reflection and care. It also gives us the opportunity to develop a new form of ecological storytelling that blends design, technology and public space.”
- Statement ends -
Michael Pettersson, MLA | Media Releases