The Creative Collaboration Prize is a direct entry category within the Institute’s South Australian Architecture Awards Program.
Entries for the 2026 SA Award Program open on Monday 17 November 2025 and close on Wednesday 11 February 2026.
Launched at the 2025 SA Architecture Awards, the SA Creative Collaboration Prize is a new initiative of the Australian Institute of Architects that celebrates architectural projects and processes developed through meaningful collaboration between architects and creative practitioners—including artists, designers, craftspeople, and other cultural contributors.
Developed by the Institute’s SA Chapter in partnership with JamFactory, the Prize recognises the diversity of contemporary practice and the value of cross-disciplinary partnerships that contribute to community, culture, and innovation in the built environment.
The introduction of the SA Creative Collaboration Prize is significant because it formally recognises the powerful role that creative partnerships play in shaping South Australia’s built environment. It highlights the importance of process—not just outcomes—by celebrating projects where architects work in genuine collaboration with artists, designers, and makers to push boundaries, explore new ideas, and deliver cultural and community value. The Prize also signals a national first for the Institute, reflecting a growing momentum toward multidisciplinary practice and deeper engagement across the creative industries.
Creative Alliance Committee Chair, Josephine Evans and JamFactory CEO, Brian Parkes made the exciting announcement at the 2025 SA Awards Presentation.
Eligibility and Focus
The Prize will be awarded annually from 2026 and is open to projects—realised or unbuilt—that demonstrate innovation, creativity, and leadership in collaborative practice. It welcomes both traditional and experimental work, including speculative and conceptual design.
Projects must demonstrate:
New connections between creative sector individuals or organisations
Shared knowledge outcomes that benefit or educate the profession and community
Exploration of architectural process beyond traditional boundaries
Innovative team structures and design methodologies
Integration of creative practice into the architectural outcome
Tangible cultural or community benefit through collaboration
Examples of projects in which creative collaboration has been central to the outcome and success.:
Frida & Diego: Love & Revolution
Photo: Saul Steed
This temporary exhibition provided a unique opportunity for AGSA to collaborate with renowned firm Grieve Gillett Architects to deliver a vibrant, immersive exhibition experience that captured the spirit of mid-century Mexico—an evocative design outcome that played a key role in the exhibition’s national success and city-wide cultural impact.
Pridham Hall
Photo: Andre Castellucci
Delivered through the collaborative efforts of JPE Design Studio, international design firm Snøhetta, and the artisan team at JamFactory, Pridham Hall demonstrates how a creative partnership from day one can result in unexpected and integrated project outcomes that are meaningful and engaging.
Arkhe Restaurant
Photo: Timothy Kaye
Working with Studio Gram, JamFactory provided a range of Australian designed and made lighting for Norwood based restaurant Arkhe. The lighting elements were designed by Stephanie James-Manttan, Daniel Emma, Liam Fleming and Dean Toepfer as part of the jam collection of products combining traditional skills with modern manufacturing. The mix of individual creativity and skill combined with an emphasis on materials and processes shaped a distinctive outcome.
Why It Matters
“This Prize recognises that great design is often the result of shared vision and a collaborative process,” said Josephine Evans, Chair of the Creative Alliance Committee. “It’s about acknowledging architects and creative collaborators who work side by side—sometimes on built outcomes, sometimes on conceptual or speculative projects. This Prize is designed to also encourage experimental practice and non-traditional design teams and processes.”
Supporting Creative Communities
In-kind support for the inaugural Prize—including the design and making of the award object—will be generously provided by JamFactory, a leader in South Australian craft and design.
“This Prize creates meaningful and sustaining opportunities for South Australian artists, designers and makers by embedding their practice in the built environment—where creativity becomes part of our everyday experience.”
— Brian Parkes, CEO, JamFactory
FAQs
1. What is the SA Creative Collaboration Prize?
The SA Creative Collaboration Prize is a new initiative developed by the SA Chapter of the Australian Institute of Architects in partnership with JamFactory. It celebrates architectural projects in South Australia that result from close collaborations between architects and creative practitioners—such as artists, craftspeople, and designers.
2. What is JamFactory?
JamFactory is a not-for-profit centre of excellence for contemporary craft and design, based in Adelaide with a regional hub at Seppeltsfield in the Barossa. For over 50 years it has supported and showcased Australian makers through its studios in ceramics, glass, furniture, and jewellery/metal, as well as galleries, shops, and public programs. JamFactory provides training, studio opportunities, exhibitions, and bespoke commissions, promoting the cultural and economic value of craft and design while directly supporting artists’ careers.
3. Who can enter?
Entries must be submitted by a current Institute member who is a practicing architect, architecture firm, or professional contributor to the built environment in South Australia. Projects must demonstrate a genuine creative partnership—not a consultant-client relationship—with one or more collaborators from the creative sector.
4. Can an artist or creative practitioner enter the Prize independently?
No. While creative practitioners play a vital role in the collaboration, entries must be submitted by the architect or architectural practice. However, we encourage artists and makers to proactively connect with architects and express their interest in future collaborations (see final FAQ for how to register your interest).
5. What types of collaborators are eligible?
Eligible collaborators include, but are not limited to, visual artists, sculptors, designers, makers, and craftspeople. The Prize recognises cross-disciplinary partnerships that influence the direction and/or outcome of the project in a meaningful way.
6. Does the project have to be built?
No. While built projects are welcome, the Prize also accepts propositional, speculative, or conceptual projects—provided the collaboration and creative process can be clearly demonstrated.
7. What types of projects are eligible?
Any architectural project—residential, commercial, public, cultural, or otherwise—may be considered, regardless of scale or commissioning body. To be eligible, the project must be located in South Australia or make a clear contribution to the built environment in the state, even if aspects of the collaboration or concept design occurred elsewhere.
Eligible projects should demonstrate:
New connections between creative sector organisations.
Shared knowledge outcomes that benefit or educate the profession and the wider community.
Exploration of architectural processes and practices beyond traditional boundaries.
Innovative ways of collaborating, structuring teams, or developing new design processes.
Creative collaboration with artists, craftspeople, and/or other creative practitioners.
Integration of creative contributions into the project such that they influence or define the design process and outcome.
Tangible benefits to the community and culture through multi-disciplinary collaboration.
8. What is meant by “creative collaboration”?
Creative collaboration refers to a mutual partnership in which the architect and creative practitioner(s) work together during the design process—not simply as subcontractor or afterthought. It involves shared authorship, creative exchange, and joint decision-making.
9. Can the project submission be a piece of research or a paper. eg unbuilt outcomes?
The project must have a physical concept or built outcome
10. If I've included or specified furniture, lighting or custom elements from Jam Factory or similar, does this count?
No – refer to FAQ 5.
HOW TO ENTER
1. When do entries open and close?
The 2026 SA Architecture Awards Program opens on Monday 17 November 2025 with entries closing on Wednesday 11 February 2026.
2. How do I enter?
Entrants will need to:
- Read and understand the Awards Entry Handbook
- Submit a written statement outlining the collaborative process and/or outcomes
- Provide supporting photography or project documentation
- Participate in a digital presentation (in person or via Teams) alongside their creative collaborator(s)
All entries will be submitted via the Institute’s AwardsForce platform.
3. Is there a cost to enter?
Yes. A modest entry fee (aligned with other SA Chapter Prizes) will apply. Full details will be announced closer to the call for entries.
4. Will there be site visits?
No. Judging will be conducted digitally based on your written submission, project images, and jury presentation.
5. Can I nominate someone else?
Nominations can be made by others, but the official entrant must be an architect or architecture practice that meets the eligibility criteria.
6. Is this part of the SA Architecture Awards?
Yes. It is a direct entry category within the Institute’s South Australian Architecture Awards Program.
Creative Sector
1. Are JamFactory artists or alumni eligible to participate?
Yes. Artists and makers associated with JamFactory are welcome to participate as collaborators. The Prize is open to all eligible creative partnerships.
I’m an artist or maker—how can I express interest in future collaborations with architects?
We encourage creatives interested in future collaborations to complete our Expression of Interest form (see below), which we will share with architects exploring partnerships.
Does Cultural IP need to have the permission of First Nations collaborators?
Yes.
What’s Next
JOIN THE SA CREATIVE COLLABORATION REGISTRY
Are you an architect, artist, designer, craftsperson, or maker interested in future creative collaborations? The SA Creative Collaboration Registry is a growing network of practitioners keen to connect across disciplines.
To add your details to the registry, simply complete the form below. Your submission will help foster new partnerships between architects and creatives working in the built environment.
If you require further information, please contact:
SA Chapter, Australian Institute of Architects: sa@architecture.com.au | (08) 8402 5900
JamFactory: sophie.guiney@jamfactory.com.au | (08) 8410 0727
Submit your details to register:
FURTHER INFORMATION
Read the media release issued following the prize announcement at the 2025 SA Architecture Awards:
Media Release – Launch of the SA Creative Collaboration Prize
Read A Place to Create – South Australia’s 10-year policy for the arts, culture and creative industries: