Uncovered 2022
Showcasing artistic talent on a new stage at the Sydney Opera House
Are you an Australian based maker with a product that is deserving of a new stage to shine on?
Now in its third year, Uncovered is a platform for local artists, makers, creatives and artisans to showcase their artistic excellence through the support of our Uncovered program.
It’s an opportunity for Australian-designed products to headline a residency in the Sydney Opera House’s on-site and online retail shop, and for the creatives to join the growing Uncovered community of alumni participants.
Enter now to see your product on shelf at the House.
Applications for 2022 are now closed. Meet our Uncovered 2022 artists below.
Sign up to our newsletter to stay up to date about the program and be the first to know about future opportunities.
The Program
Uncovered is all about discovering new local makers, designers, artisans and creatives. Got a local business in mind? Maybe it's yours. Read through the program details and criteria, and if you tick all the boxes we hope to see your application in the mix.
We recommend prior to completing your submission you read through the Sydney Opera House’s values, and consider how your product(s) align to our values and connect to the following criteria: creativity, innovation, and suitability for the Sydney Opera House Shop. Extra consideration will be given to sustainable and First Nations products.
Sydney Opera House values:
- Creativity: Be bold and innovative
- Excellence: Strive for the best
- Collaboration: One team
- Accountability: Focus and own it
- Safety: Our greatest responsibility
The selected applicants will receive guidance and support from the Uncovered team and join the growing Uncovered community of alumni participants to connect and create with.
“Uncovered exists to support and showcase up and coming Australian creative makers, artists and designers and project their stories and creativity through the Sydney Opera House platforms.”
Nicky Brandon, General Manager Tours, Retail and Projects - Visitor Experience
Criteria and Submissions
Apply for the Uncovered program by describing your product and its connection to Australia or the Sydney Opera House through the online application form. Products are not expected to include a visual of the Sydney Opera House.
Applicants may enter one product or a range of products under the category that best reflects their work.
Product submissions are being invited across three categories:
- Jewellery and Accessories
- Prints, Photography and Art
- Homewares and Gifts
Applications are open to:
- Makers who are Australian citizens or residents (must be currently residing in Australia)
- Makers over 18 years old
- Makers registered for an Australian Business Number (ABN)
- Makers with the ability to raise invoices and an Australian bank account
The Sydney Opera House will only accept applications from independent creatives who own the copyright for their product. Third parties promoting a creative, maker or artist are not eligible to apply.
Please read the Uncovered Terms & Conditions before applying.
Applications for 2022 are now closed. Learn more about our Uncovered 2022 artists on this page.
Sign up to our newsletter to stay up to date about the program and be the first to know about future opportunities.
Program Dates
Applications for 2022 are now closed.
Applicants were contacted from April 2022. Shortlisted applicants were then invited to continue discussions before the successful makers selected to partake in the Uncovered program. The three successful makers have been announced and their the product placements in the Sydney Opera House Shop are taking place from September 2022. Learn more about our Uncovered 2022 artists on this page.
FAQs
1. What is Uncovered by the Sydney Opera House?
Uncovered is a retail program now in its third year, offering three emerging local creatives, makers, or artists the opportunity to stock their uniquely Australian product in the Sydney Opera House’s on-site and online retail shop.
Product submissions are being invited across three categories:
- Jewellery and Accessories
- Prints, Photography and Art
- Homewares and Gifts
2. How did Uncovered by the Sydney Opera House originate?
Uncovered originated from a small working team of retail experts striving to bring the best of Australian products to the Sydney Opera House Shop. The products showcased in the store strive to be as bold and inspiring as the Sydney Opera House itself and our team want to give Australian creatives and makers the opportunity to showcase their work using the shelves of the Sydney Opera House Shop as a new stage.
3. Who can apply?
The program is open to Australian makers, creatives and artists with an established and uniquely Australian product who are looking for a new opportunity to sell and promote their work.
To be eligible, you must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident over 18 years old, with an ABN and Australian bank account.
The Sydney Opera House will only accept applications from independent creatives who own the copyright for their products.
4. How can I apply and when do applications close?
Applications for 2022 are now closed. Sign up to our newsletter to stay up to date about the program and be the first to know about future opportunities.
5. Am I too old/young to apply?
As long as you are over 18 years, you are neither too old or too young to participate in Uncovered by the Sydney Opera House.
6. If my application is shortlisted, how will I be contacted?
The Uncovered team will endeavour to contact all applicants to acknowledge if they have been successful in their application for this year or not. If shortlisted, applicants will be contacted via phone or email to discuss their application further.
7. Can I submit more than one application?
You may only submit one application per year, in one of the three categories.
8. Can I put in a late application?
Applications for 2022 are now closed. Late applications will not be accepted.
9. How will my application be assessed?
Applications will be assessed against a number of criteria, including creativity, innovation, suitability for the Sydney Opera House Shop, and alignment to our values (see below).
The land on which the Sydney Opera House stands has been a place of gathering for the Gadigal People, and Sydney basin clans to dance, sing, feast, exchange knowledge and share stories. The Sydney Opera House carries on this legacy by embracing and celebrating the culture of Australia’s First Nations People and First Nations globally.
The Sydney Opera House’s architect, Jørn Utzon, incorporated sustainable design elements to ensure we continue to preserve the land of the Gadigal People. The Sydney Opera House aims to be a leader in environmental and social sustainability with its 2020-2023 Sustainability Plan that builds on the legacy of the Gadigal People.
If you are a First Nations maker or an artist of sustainable products we would love to see your work amongst the applications.
Furthermore, we are looking for products that reflect the Sydney Opera House’s vision to be as bold and inspiring as the building itself.
Sydney Opera House Values:
- Creativity: Be bold and innovative
- Excellence: Strive for the best
- Collaboration: One team
- Accountability: Focus and own it
- Safety: Our greatest responsibility
10. If I am successful, when are the expected placements in store?
Successful applicants will have the opportunity to be placed in the Sydney Opera House Shop from September 2022. The Sydney Opera House will advise you when your product will be in store.
11. Who do I contact if I have any questions about my application?
If you have any questions about completing your application, please contact the Uncovered Team at uncovered@sydneyoperahouse.com.
Introducing fromBIGthings
Introducing fromBIGthings
fromBIGthings
fromBIGthings is a Sydney-based model maker studio run by Adrian Veale. Adrian is dedicated to the recreation of architecture and buildings from across Sydney and Australia in plaster as an expression of their design for all to enjoy. Every model is made by hand with a combination of digital 3D printing and eco-friendly resin/plaster casts. Hand finished details are added to each model using traditional handmade techniques.
Elph Ceramics
Founded by sisters, Eloise and Sophie Rankine, Elph Ceramics is a unique combination of artistic sensibilities and minimalist design. Locally handcrafted and sustainably made in the Southern Highlands in New South Wales, Elph Ceramic’s pieces are designed for everyday use and to be cherished and kept forever.
Mwerre Soap & Skin
Mwerre (pronounced Mwah-rah) means good or beautiful in Arrernte, a First Nations language group in Central Australia. 
Mwerre Soap & Skin produce handmade, natural, artisan soaps with Indigenous clay minerals and botanicals that protect and care for the skin. Founder Liz Liddle draws from her experience working in the spa industry to produce soaps that are also cruelty-free.
Introducing Mwerre Soap & Skin
Introducing Mwerre Soap & Skin
Yinarr Maramali
Yinarr Maramali is a Gomeroi yinarr (womens) business, based on Gomeroi Country (Tamworth NSW) who live and operate within their communities. Supporting the wellbeing of their community and Country through the continuation of their ancestral weaving culture. The name ‘Yinarr Maramali’ means ‘made by Gomeroi women’s hands’. Both weavers and artists Yinarr make hand woven creations and artworks that share and continue Story. The Gomeroi Dhigaraagal collection (Gomeroi Birds) presented as part of the Uncovered program is a celebration of story, colour and Country, woven by hand using ethically sourced sustainable materials. The woven range includes baskets, coolamon and dilly bags, honouring the birds and their stories.
Richard Greenacre
Industrial designer by day and ceramicist by night, Richard Greenacre started making ceramics as a way to explore how materials can be shaped in different ways. Based in Melbourne, Richard’s work combines traditional techniques of slip casting with digital technologies including parametric modeling and 3D printing to give each piece its unique character. His Sydney Opera House collection is inspired by Australian native flora, especially the flowers and seed pods from hakea and the banksia plants.
popaboutdesign
Artist, trained architect and educator, Jane from popaboutdesign believes in framing scenes of our neighbourhood to be reminded of those littles moments and pleasures that make life special. Her illustrations are locally designed and printed in Sydney with the idea to celebrate the beauty of the world we see every day at our door step, reminding people this world is worth looking after. This collection features Sydney’s iconic Eastern beaches and rock pools, and the Opera House.
Milly Dent
Sydney ceramicist, Milly Dent, reimagines daily routine through uniquely handcrafted, exclusive ceramic tableware. Handmade using small-scale production methods, Milly’s work features distinctive marbling and geometric patterns. Inspired by the natural world, the vessels display a whirlpool of inky blues frozen in the fluidity that they are created.
SoulSilk
SoulSilk is a handcrafted silk accessories brand from Queensland. Founder and textile artist, Simin Contractor, produces hand-painted silk scarves inspired by her surroundings – from nature to tribal art forms, famous painters to her imagination. Her Sydney Opera House Shop collection features scarves from her Australian Botanical Collection.
Eggpicnic
Eggpicnic is a Sydney-based illustration and design studio devoted to wildlife conservation. Designers Camila De Gregorio and Christopher Macaluso produce fine art prints that capture the character of Australian birds, including critically endangered and vulnerable species, to inspire the community to protect our natural world. Their Sydney Opera House Shop collection features birds local to Sydney Harbour.
Articles
Read
Yinarr Maramali
The latest artists in our Uncovered program, we spoke to Amy Hammond and Lorrelle Munro, co-founders of Yinarr Maramali, a Gomeroi women’s business based on Country in Tamworth NSW. Meaning “made by Gomeroi women’s hands”, Yinarr Maramali use natural materials collected by hand from Country to make a range of hand-woven baskets, coolamons and dilly bags.
Eggpicnic
We spoke with Sydney-based designers Camila De Gregorio and Christopher Macaluso of Eggpicnic who have been selected for Uncovered’s Prints, Photography & Art category.
SoulSilk
We spoke to Simin about her Sydney Opera House Shop collection which features three hand-painted silk scarves inspired by Australian botanicals.
Milly Dent
Milly spoke to us about her work, where she finds inspiration and her Sydney Opera House collection.
popaboutdesign
Jane shared with us how she started popaboutdesign, the meaning behind each of her prints and what being ‘Uncovered’ means to her.
Richard Greenacre
We spoke to Richard about how his design background complements his ceramics practice and what goes into his unique line of beakers and bowls.
