Indigenous Program Application Criteria

The Finders Keepers is dedicated to nurturing and growing the support for Indigenous makers and designers in Australia. 

Our Indigenous Program sets out to encourage and support Indigenous makers & designers, to provide a platform with a dedicated audience to support their commercial endeavours. Recipients in this program will receive a sponsored stall position at The Finders Keepers market in their dedicated city, support with stall design and development as well as marketing and media support. 

Read more about applying for The Finders Keepers Indigenous Program here. 

Selection Criteria

What we’re looking for within applications:

  • Recipients can be individual Indigenous makers, and/or an Art Centre or organisation that promotes and sells the work of Indigenous artists and makers.
  • Indigenous, First Nations owned and run, artists and centres only.
  • Creative and original work that highlights independent designs, or products of a handmade nature;
  • Work that uses traditional process and materials;
  • Innovative and original work; contemporary design products and items that fit in with the overall vision of The Finders Keepers;
  • Items suitable for the retail market space, e.g. fashion, design and craft objects.
  • Artists/designers that are at the beginning of their commercial career are encouraged to apply.
  • Artists/ designers in remote areas without the support of design, development and guidance of this nature are encouraged to apply.

In addition, you must demonstrate and/or supply:

  • Information about your products, including how products are made, where they are made, as well as clear, consistent imagery that compliments your work;
  • Images of your products in production, or your workspace if made by hand (whatever is most relevant);
  • Website address and social media handles - we may also view these platforms as part of the process to determine the suitability of your brand/business for the markets.

If you fit the criteria above, please apply when our market applications are open for each season (approximately Nov - Feb for AW season and Mar - May for SS season). Please check out the APPLY section of our website for more. 

The Finders Keepers acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of country across Australia, and their connections to community, land and sea. We pay our respects to their elders past, present and emerging, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today and everyday.