Much much more than a market – 2018 Updates!

Shelley’s Murder Boys & Public Holiday captured by Samee Lapham at FK Sydney

This year we honour the past ten years and look ahead to the next ten with some new changes to the format of Finders Keepers blockbuster event weekends!

In 2018, we’re excited about expanding the Finders Keepers format that highlights and emphasises entertainment and further supports the creative industries well beyond the stalls.

Yes! We’re still Australia’s longest running independent art and design market, but this year you’ll notice some changes and an elevated program. Our entertainment line up has grown as well as our food and beverage offers. You’ll find more art installations as well as new programs that aim to support the creative industries outside the walls of the events alone.

As some of our most loyal and respected community, we’ve highlighted our key changes to help you understand the evolution of Finders Keepers in 2018.

Back to 6 BIG events on the 2018 FK calendar

We’re excited to announce that in 2018 you’ll see 6 events return to the FK calendar. After a resounding success and transition to our new home at RNA in Brisbane in 2017, we’re bringing back two events in the Sunshine State to sit alongside our events in Sydney and Melbourne too. Each city now hosting 2 events per year. Read on for our annual calendar of dates and venue information.

New trading hours – more shopping time

You asked and we listened! As our events go from strength to strength, we’re finding new ways to support extended trading and opportunities for visitors to shop as well as our stallholders to make sales. In 2018, we’re excited to be introducing ‘day time’ opening hours on Fridays. Our new trading hours across all venues will now welcome Friday visitors from 12 noon – 9pm.

Introducing the Finders Keepers Indigenous Program

Finders Keepers is dedicated to nurturing and growing the support for Indigenous makers in Australia. One of our key objectives over the next few years is to support the amount of Indigenous makers into the marketplace. In 2018, we’re launching an FK Indigenous Program to help us achieve these goals.

This program sets out to encourage and support Indigenous makers and provide them with a commercial platform with a dedicated audience to support their commercial endeavours. Recipients of this award will receive sponsored stall position at FK market in their dedicated city, support with stall design and development, as well as marketing and media support.

Finders Keepers Artists Program

For some time, FK have supported aspiring careers of emerging artists and recruited them to work with us to develop unique seasonal identities. This has provided opportunities for many young designers to showcase their work nationally on a grand scale across FK’s multi channel campaigns including but not limited to print, media, digital, advertising and outdoor. Priceless exposure.

In 2018 we’re solidifying this Program to further support emerging designers and young guns. They’ll not only work with us on national branding, but they’ll also receive amplification via Finders Keepers engaged online channels as well as a dedicated stall in each city to sell products inspired by our seasonal campaign artwork.

In 2018, our Autumn Winter FK Artist Program recipient is Magpie Goose!

THANK YOU!

At Finders Keepers we continue to be the longest running design market in Australia and community favourite amongst stallholders and shoppers alike. We’re committed to strong curatorial practices and will continue to bring the very best and latest in the Australian art and design community to the masses.

More of a festival than a market, entry in 2018 is $5 while kids under 12 remain FREE! The Finders Keepers will continue to bring the very best and latest in the Australian art and design community to you!

Read on for 2018 dates, venue and application information for your diaries.

FK AW18 Artist Program collaboration with Tiwi Bird by Bede Tungatalum for Magpie Goose

SYDNEY!

Our first event to kick off 2018! Join us back at Barangaroo.

Sydney AW18 Market
The Cutaway, Barangaroo Reserve, Barangaroo
Friday 4th May : 12pm – 9pm
Saturday 5th May : 10am – 6pm
Sunday 6th May : 10am – 5pm

Applications for Sydney AW18 are now CLOSED.

Sydney SS18 Market
The Cutaway, Barangaroo Reserve, Barangaroo
Friday 30th November : 12pm –9pm
Saturday 1st December : 10am – 7pm
Sunday 2nd December : 10am – 5pm

Applications open : 27th April
Applications close : 18th May

BRISBANE

To honour the resounding support and success of our inaugural Brisbane event at RNA showgrounds we’re quickly evolving to a second event in this location in 2018.
Please note that our Brisbane SS18 date has shifted slightly, so double check your calendars and ensure you’ve got the 9th – 11th November, 2018 penciled in!

Brisbane AW18 Market
Brisbane Showgrounds, The Marquee, Bowen Hills
Friday 22nd June : 12pm – 9pm
Saturday 23rd June : 9am – 5pm
Sunday 24th June : 9am – 5pm

Applications for Brisbane AW18 are now CLOSED.

Brisbane SS18 Market
Brisbane Showgrounds, The Marquee, Bowen Hills
Friday 9th November : 12pm – 9pm
Saturday 10th November : 9am – 5pm
Sunday 11th November : 9am – 5pm

Applications open : 15th June
Applications close : 20th July

MELBOURNE

Don’t mess with perfection! The Melbourne markets will return to the wondrous Royal Exhibition Building twice this year.

Melbourne AW18 Market
The Royal Exhibition Building, Carlton
Friday 13th July : 12pm – 9pm
Saturday 14th July : 10am – 6pm
Sunday 15th July : 10am – 5pm

Applications open: 23rd February
Applications close : 23rd March

Melbourne SS18 Market
The Royal Exhibition Building, Carlton
Friday 19th October :12pm – 9pm
Saturday 20th October : 10am – 7pm
Sunday 21st October : 10am – 5pm

Applications open : 11th May
Applications close : 13th June

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