MAKE Award 2025: 36 Finalists Announced for Biennial Australian Craft & Design Prize

Australian Design Centre (ADC) has announced the 36 finalists for the second MAKE Award: Biennial Prize for Innovation in Australian Craft and Design. Established in 2023, the MAKE Award is the richest non-acquisitive prize for craft and design in Australia, offering $35,000 for the winner and $10,000 for second place.

The winner will be revealed on Friday 10 October at the opening night of the finalist exhibition, which runs at ADC in Sydney from 10 October to 19 November 2025 before touring nationally.

Selected from 197 entries across the fields of ceramics, glass, furniture, metal, jewellery, textiles and fibre, the finalists represent a diverse cross-section of Australian craft and design talent. Entrants were invited to submit work that demonstrates innovation in technique or material use and extends their usual practice.

Finalists: Jin Ah Jo; Ash Allen; Julie Bartholomew; Roseanne Bartley; Emma Bugg; Melissa Cameron; Scott Chaseling; Vita Cochran; Kirsten Coelho; Zara Collins; Laura Deakin; Lynda Draper; Dan Elborne; Caren Elliss; Jason Fitzgerald; Neville French; Jess Hall; Kirsten Haydon; Anke Kindle; Phong Lai; Cinnamon Lee; Noel Murphy; Sharon Peoples; Nicole Polentas; Jake Rollins; Jennifer Robertson; Hugo Rucks; Jeffrey Sarmiento; Lotte Schwerdtfeger; Gabbee Stolp; Bolaji Teniola; Jane Theau; Blanche Tilden; Alice van Meurs and Sarrita King; Zoe Veness; Melinda Young.

The 2025 MAKE Award judges are Lisa Cahill, CEO and Artistic Director, Australian Design Centre; Simone LeAmon, Curator of Contemporary Design and Architecture, National Gallery of Victoria; Brian Parkes, Chief Executive Officer, JamFactory; and artist Vipoo Srivilasa, inaugural MAKE Award winner in 2023 with his ceramic work Diverse Dominion Deities.

“This second iteration of the MAKE Award attracted a huge number of entries from across the spectrum of contemporary craft and design practice,” says ADC CEO and Artistic Director Lisa Cahill. “Innovation and a high level of skill were outstanding in the entries this year. Finalists have pushed the boundaries of material use and I am excited to see their work in the exhibition, as well as selecting the winner.”

About the MAKE Award

The MAKE Award: Biennial Prize for Innovation in Australian Craft and Design is a major national craft and design innovation award initiated by Australian Design Centre, made possible by a generous private donation. The aim of the MAKE Award is to acknowledge the richness and diversity of creative talent in craft and design practice, and to extend ADC’s support for and celebration of the contemporary Australian craft and design community.

Unique in Australia, the MAKE Award is inspired by international award programs such as the Burke Prize at the Museum of Arts and Design in New York, and the LOEWE FOUNDATION Craft Prize. The inaugural MAKE Award in 2023 was won by Vipoo Srivilasa with Jessica Murtagh in second place and Liz Williamson receiving a high commendation.

2025 MAKE Award key dates

• Winner announced: 10 October 2025, opening night
• Exhibition @ ADC Sydney: 10 October – 19 November 2025
• Exhibition @ JamFactory, Adelaide: 5 December 2025 – 12 April 2026

More information: australiandesigncentre.com