Participate

If you have an exhibition idea, new work to unveil, an idea to discuss, an event you want to host – MDW is made for you. MDW is Australia’s leading international public design event, delivered each year by the NGV working in close collaboration with a broad network of institutions, media organisations, and industry partners.

Our objective is to provide a compelling annual platform, backed by the expertise and reach of the NGV, for participants to engage a broad audience with their work and ideas.

MDW is Australia’s annual opportunity to connect with the design community, be inspired, network and do business. As an official MDW Presenter you join a program of 350+ events alongside the NGV, with the visibility, community and collective energy that is hard to achieve alone.

The MDW program receives marketing, media and curatorial support from the NGV. Marketing and media activities reach an extensive audience through a digital and social media campaign, eNews, print coverage and targeted media outputs in the lead up to, during and post MDW.

Here’s what presenters told us after 2026:

• 91% called it a good investment. Presenters said the return came in reputation, relationships and new opportunities.
• 99% would participate again. Almost every Presenter surveyed said they would return.
• 89% agreed MDW is a national platform for promoting design.
• 79% called it the best design event in Australia to show work.
• 79% reached new audiences.
• Presenters welcomed regional visitors at 55% of events, interstate visitors at 58% and international visitors at 31%.
• 53% met new collaborators, 45% made new business connections.

(Source: MDW 2026 presenter survey)

Building on recent programs, we also welcome proposals that:

• showcase industrial and product design, from prototype to manufacture, including open studios, workshops and showrooms
• share design research from universities, research institutes and practices, including experiments and lab-based projects
• engage with hospitality, food and dining through design
• explore design in sport, fitness and movement, including work that addresses gender, access and inclusion in sport
• come from creative agencies working across branding, digital, strategy or spatial design
• open the doors of showrooms, studios and workshops to the public
• bring international practitioners into the program, particularly from the Indo-Pacific region

SINGLE-DAY: $120
A talk, workshop, tour, panel, performance or other event held on one day of the festival. This includes events with more than one session on the same day. This does not include exhibitions.

MULTI-DAY: $300
A talk, workshop or event program running across two or more days of the festival, such as a workshop series, recurring tours, or a program of talks at one venue. Each multi-day listing must be presented by the same Presenter, under one title. This does not include exhibitions.

EXHIBITION: $400
A display of work, research or process open to the public for one or more days of the festival, whether a solo or group exhibition, an installation, or a gallery exhibition. A single listing may include an opening event and associated talks or workshops held at the exhibition venue.

COMMERCIAL BRAND OR SHOWROOM: $800
An exhibition, launch or event presented by a retailer, brand, manufacturer or showroom. This includes product launches and brand activations and may include associated talks and events held at the venue.

Do multiple events need to be submitted separately?

Yes. Each program listing on the MDW website counts as a stand-alone event. Each program requires its own application submission and Presenter fee payment.

This applies to every Presenter, including universities, institutions, studios and other organisations presenting several events in the program.

For example, a university running two separate exhibitions, a separate talk series and a separate workshop would submit four applications and if successful pay four Presenter fees, even if they share a venue or campus.

If you are unsure which Presenter type applies to your proposed event, we recommend that you speak to the MDW team prior to submitting an application by emailing: [email protected]