Image: Detail, Design for Tear-a-Way: an interactive fashion presentation. Designed and developed by University of Technology Sydney (UTS) fashion students in collaboration with Sherman Contemporary Art Foundation (SCAF), 2013

– More than 40 talks, performances, workshops & films to be presented over 17 days in April 2018 –

Founder and executive director of the newly created Sherman Centre for Culture and Ideas (SCCI), Dr Gene Sherman AM, today announced the Centre’s five-year vision to elevate fashion and architecture to a more prominent place alongside other mediums of cultural expression. SCCI is the latest evolution of the re-named not for profit Sherman Contemporary Art Foundation (SCAF).

Dr Sherman said “Our aim is to provide a vibrant platform for the exchange of the most challenging and engaging ideas on architecture and fashion, within the broader context of culture. Fashion, in particular, has lacked serious attention as a sophisticated, intellectually rich and multifaceted mode of creative expression. Through SCCI, we seek to elevate it to a more prominent position alongside other artforms, and begin a conversation that is long past due. The very best of contemporary ideas on architecture, and its intersections with cultural, social, aesthetic and economic life, will also be explored intensively at SCCI.”

scci.org.au

Image: Jessica Long, Apartment Block. No. 10, supplied by UNSW

The Bridging Hope Charity Foundation has announced a five-year commitment to support UNSW’s A&D ANNUAL 2017 graduate exhibition, which will feature the work of more than 200 emerging creative artists. Presented from 29 November – 9 December, the A&D ANNUAL is Australia’s largest and most diverse national showcase of graduate contemporary art, design and creative media work.

At an event at UNSW to announce the partnership, the Bridging Hope Charity Foundation also revealed the inaugural winner of the TWT Excellence Prize, a new annual award for a graduating student that will be offered until 2021.

Graduating artist Jessica Long was awarded the 2017 TWT Excellence Prize, which includes a $2,000 bursary, for her video work titled Apartment Block No. 10. Graduating students Caitlin Dubler, Maya Mulvey-Santana, Luke Power and Beccy Tait also received Highly Commended awards.

Thelma Plum, Solid Ground artist in residence for 2018. Image: Cole Benetts

Carriageworks today announced 1.2 million visitors will engage with the Carriageworks Program in 2017 whilst unveiling a dynamic program for 2018 spanning contemporary art, dance, performance, music, screen, food and ideas. In 2018 the Artistic Program will support 690 artists and will present 70 projects, including 10 world premieres, 17 international works and 17 new Australian commissions.

Highlights include three large-scale, site-specific exhibitions by international contemporary artists Katharina Grosse (Germany), Ryoji Ikeda (Japan) and Nick Cave (USA), as well as three world premiere works by Carriageworks Resident Companies: Sydney Chamber Opera, Marrugeku and Force Majeure, and the presentation of leading cultural events including the 21st Biennale of Sydney, the 2018 Sydney Writers’ Festival and Sydney Contemporary 2018.

The Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences (MAAS) will open a major contemporary design exhibition on 2 March 2018 to celebrate the 20th Sydney Design Festival. Curated by and exclusive to the Powerhouse Museum, Sydney, Common Good explores design trends in Australia and neighbouring regions and the positive design-lead responses to social, ethical and environmental challenges.

Common Good surveys contemporary design practices from Australia and the Asia-Pacific. Designers from a range of disciplines and countries are profiled, including leading international designers and architects Nendo, Studio Swine, Bijoy Jain, Jo Nagasaka, Kwangho Lee and WOHA, as well as globally recognised local designers Ken Wong, Lucy McRae and Henry Wilson.