Craft + Design Institute (CDI)

The Craft and Design Institute (CDI) promotes and supports the growth of craft and design businesses and the sector in South Africa.

[Craft + Design Institute (CDI) @Craft_andDesign]

It’s been a busy week of workshops at the CDI’s new Cape Town home at the Cape Town Cruise Terminal, V&A Waterfront!

We hosted a Photography Workshop; a workshop discovering the magic of Intaglio Printmaking, and a Vinyl Personalisation Workshop - see:
https://t.co/7SzQlGCI24

[Craft + Design Institute (CDI) @Craft_andDesign]

🚨 Deadline Extended!

Entrepreneurs (18–35): Apply for the Orange Corners Innovation Fund (OCIF) GROW Programme by 15 March 2026.

💰 Funding: R200k–R1m
🤝 Mentorship & growth support

👉For more info and to apply: https://t.co/lADEg3K91E

[CultureObservatory @SACulturalObs]

Making It! 2026 celebrates 25 years of the Craft and Design Institute (CDI)!
📍 Kramerville Design District, Johannesburg. 24–25 March 2026
A 2-day celebration of design, craft & entrepreneurship connecting creatives, innovators & industry leaders.
🔗 https://t.co/vXYvCwOB24

[Craft + Design Institute (CDI) @Craft_andDesign]

Big news for Making It! 2026

We’re thrilled to welcome Jozi My Jozi to the movement!

Makers. Designers. Creatives. Inner-city change-makers. This is where collaboration sparks real impact and Jozi’s creative economy levels up.

🎟️ Tickets + programme: https://t.co/72wsgcJUof

[Craft + Design Institute (CDI) @Craft_andDesign]

We’re welcoming Wacy Zacarias to #MakingIt2026 🔥

Founder of Woogui & co-founder of Karingana Textiles, she joins us from Mozambique to explore ethics, sourcing & material innovation in Indigenous Materials: From Extraction to Innovation.

🎟️ Book now — https://t.co/je3EhG1Fy7

[Craft + Design Institute (CDI) @Craft_andDesign]

This isn’t a sit-and-listen conference. It’s two days of making ideas happen.

🧵 Plenary Sessions – bold ideas that challenge craft + design
🧵 MAKEshops – hands-on, practical, real
🧵 Panels – honest industry conversations

🎟️ Register now: https://t.co/CoRqZu0cQh

[Craft + Design Institute (CDI) @Craft_andDesign]

Kramerville has always been where Joburg’s creatives meet. This year, it becomes the stage for Making It! 2026 - a 2-day convergence of South Africa’s most exciting makers.

The makers are gathering.
Secure your ticket now: https://t.co/MlIAhkR9eT

[Craft + Design Institute (CDI) @Craft_andDesign]

Craft and design are not niche in SA, they power livelihoods and drive innovation.

#MakingIt2026 brings the sector together for 2 days of practical insight and honest conversation.

Book now: https://t.co/WyrN6kM8tT

#SouthAfricanMakers #CreativeEconomy #CraftAndDesign

[Craft + Design Institute (CDI) @Craft_andDesign]

Craft meets curiosity in Johannesburg this March.

Making It! 2026 - two days of testing ideas & building what’s next for the creative sector.

Join the conversation! Sign up for updates: https://t.co/ydadxynQnu

[Craft + Design Institute (CDI) @Craft_andDesign]

Making It! 2026 lands 24–25 March at Kramerville Design District, JHB. Two days of connection, craft & momentum.

Read the Sunday Times feature: https://t.co/krop8iiSQf
Get tickets here: https://t.co/OyAWyBFpG4

#MakingIt2026 #CreativeEntrepreneurs #CDI #CreativeEconomy

[Craft + Design Institute (CDI) @Craft_andDesign]

Whether you are just starting out or years into your practice, MAKING IT! is a place to learn, share, and widen your circle.

Join the mailing list at https://t.co/eWSpVNzLjn and be the first to hear about programme highlights and speaker announcements.

[Craft + Design Institute (CDI) @Craft_andDesign]

📢Tickets for Making It! 2026 are officially open.

Join makers, designers, buyers, funders & creative leaders shaping South Africa’s creative economy.

📍For more info and to sign up to the mailing list: https://t.co/BSLweBTq1e
🎟️Secure your ticket: https://t.co/5C63LiTkXE

[Craft + Design Institute (CDI) @Craft_andDesign]

🚨 OCIF GROW deadline extended! 🚨

👉 SA entrepreneurs aged 18–35 now have more time to apply or up to R1 million in business innovation funding.

🗓 New deadline: 16 January 2026
🔗 https://t.co/VlS4AECigV

#OCIFGROW #OrangeCorners #Entrepreneurship #CDI

[Craft + Design Institute (CDI) @Craft_andDesign]

On 11 Dec, we opened the doors to our new Cape Town home at the Cape Town Cruise Terminal and welcomed creatives for a powerful Creative Exchange (CX) under the theme "Made Differently: Design That Matters". Our thanks to the @WesternCapeGov for supporting this catalytic event!

[Craft + Design Institute (CDI) @Craft_andDesign]

CREATIVES, DESIGNERS, INNOVATORS — THIS IS THE EVENT TO CAP OFF THE YEAR!
The Craft + Design Institute’s Creative Exchange (CX) is back… and this time we’re opening the doors to our brand-new 1,000m² home at the Cape Town Cruise Liner Terminal! Book here:
https://t.co/NmKJCKErmW

[UNDP South Africa @UNDPSouthAfrica]

Meet the @timbuktooafrica Creatives Cohort 1 graduates!

After months of learning, refining, & building, these founders are stepping out of the Lab with sharper ideas, stronger business models, & the confidence to scale their visions.

More on our cohort: https://t.co/nyjx8z5wiT

[Craft + Design Institute (CDI) @Craft_andDesign]

Join leading voices in design, film, gaming, music & more as we explore how SA can shape an inclusive, innovative AI future.

📅25 Nov 2025 | 🕰️11:00 – 13:15 |
📍Invest Cape Town Centre, City Hall
🔗Book (limited seats) https://t.co/N7LDEMh7IM
💻Livestream https://t.co/IuYZRZlIl1

[Craft + Design Institute (CDI) @Craft_andDesign]

If you’re a young 🇿🇦 entrepreneur (18–35) with a growing, innovative business — this is your chance to scale.

Apply for up to R1-million in innovation funding with #OCIFGROW2026

⏰ Applications deadline 31 Dec 2025
👉 Apply now: https://t.co/RlcZgcUf4w

[Craft + Design Institute (CDI) @Craft_andDesign]

Our CEO, Erica Elk will be attending #sacoconf2025 this week!

Erica shares why the creative sector is more than just art; it’s a vital force for innovation, inclusion, and economic growth.

#CreativeEconomy #CreativeIndustry #CreativeFuture

[CultureObservatory @SACulturalObs]

Meet Erica Elk, CEO of the Craft and Design Institute (CDI).

Erica shares why the creative sector is more than just art it’s an essential driver of South Africa’s economy and innovation. She emphasises why attending #SACOConf2025 is crucial for every creative, policymaker, and entrepreneur who wants to shape the future of the industry.

This is where ideas meet opportunity where the creative community comes together to build resilience, spark collaboration, and grow the sector.

Don’t miss your seat at the table.⌛

Register today for the Creative, Sport and Economic Futures Conference: https://t.co/GoNRLMuuaz

#FlashbackFriday #creativeeconomy #creativefuture

[Craft + Design Institute (CDI) @Craft_andDesign]

Orange Corners Designs participant Unathi Mgolombane, founder of Doba Upcycle, takes the stage as a keynote speaker at the SDG Challenge SA Grand Finale taking place in Sandton, Johannesburg this Friday!