Powerhouse and David Jones Australian Design Commission

The selected designer will receive AU$50,000 and a 9-month timeframe to develop the prototype.

The successful commission will receive support from Powerhouse that includes curatorial support, access to the Powerhouse Collection, access to workshop space, digital content development, and marketing and communications support.

David Jones will offer support through mentorship, retail media support and/or social media support.

The prototype will be featured in a window display at the David Jones Elizabeth St Store in Sydney.

KEY DATES

To be considered for this design commission, applicants must live in Australia and have the capacity to take on a major project from concept to prototype over the 9-month timeframe stipulated.

Your application must include:

Submit applications by 5pm AEDT, 4 May 2025.

The successful applicant will be announced in July 2025.

Please see the Information Pack for more details. If you have further questions contact powerhouse-initiatives@powerhouse.com.au.

David Jones is Australia's leading premium department store retailer. The iconic department store first opened its doors in 1838 with the mission to sell the best and most exclusive goods. David Jones has 41 locations across Australia and New Zealand as well as davidjones.com in Australia and is the oldest continuously operating department store in the world still trading under its original name.

The David Jones Archive includes thousands of artefacts and documents, some dating back to as early as the 1830s, representing David Jones' remarkable history — a history that is embedded into the cultural and social identity of Australia.

The archive has been cared for by David Jones since its inception 186 years ago and now this generous and internationally significant donation to the Powerhouse Museum will ensure its digitised, exhibited, researched and accessible in perpetuity.