This is the daily Canberra creative challenge you need to add to your winter routine

Posted on 29 June, 2026

One small, manageable task designed to ignite your creativity. That’s the idea behind the Craft + Design Canberra Daily Creative Challenge.

This July, Craft + Design Canberra is calling for locals to get creative, celebrating the city as a vibrant centre of artistic vision but also connecting a wider community of makers across Australia (and beyond).

Running from Wednesday 1 until Tuesday 21 July, this is the fifth year of the 2026 Craft + Design Canberra Daily Creative Challenge.

Inviting people to make their own mark on our city – our creative workforce is 2.3 per cent higher than the national average, and Canberra is pursuing UNESCO Creative City of Design status – the concept is simple.

Free to register, you will receive daily word prompts related to the 2026 theme via email. From there, you can create their response using any medium, including clay, fabric, paper, metal, paint, writing, photography or digital tools.

Finally (to be in the running to win two $4,000 prizes, one $500 prize, and to have your work showcased at the Craft + Design Canberra gallery), you must post an image to their public Instagram account with the prompt word and date and include both tags #CDCCREATIVECHALLENGE26 and @craft_design_canberra.

It’s that easy. And as for the theme? This year, Craft + Design Canberra is exploring ‘Dissent.’

Advocating for creativity as a powerful tool for questioning, challenging, and reshaping – both ourselves and the world around us – the theme aims to help people rediscover inspiration and support wellbeing.

Now for the fine print. Registrations are still open, with late registrations accepted up to Wednesday 8 July at 5 pm. To be in it to win it, you must be a current member of Craft + Design Canberra, and all 21 posts must be published.

The public announcement of finalists and winners will take place in September, with the winner’s physical work to be delivered to the gallery on Monday 21 September.

Then, from Thursday 24 September until Saturday 24 October, people will be able to see the winning work exhibited at Craft + Design Canberra Gallery!

Everyone is welcome to participate in the challenge, from practising creatives to those who are curious and want to try something new. Name a more wholesome challenge to complete this winter?

For more information about the challenge (and the prizes), visit craftanddesigncanberra.org.

Feature image credit: 5 Foot Photography.