Meeanjin Markets launch virtual marketplace in lead up to National Reconciliation Week 2020
Since its launch in 2018, Queensland’s Meeanjin Markets have provided an important platform for Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander artisans, musicians and performers.
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A two-day festival in the heart of Brisbane’s CBD, the Meeanjin Markets showcases art, music and artisan producers, helping promote cultural diversity, support small business owners, as well as being a vital event in the lead up to National Reconciliation Week.
With government-enforced social distancing measures drastically affecting trade, this year’s markets have had to adapt. To do this, the Meeanjin Markets have decided to go online for the first time; launching the Meeanjin Virtual Festival.
Matrisse Watego, Jabin representative and producer of the Meeanjin Markets, has expressed how important it is to continue the momentum of the markets, and what they mean to the community at large.
“Moving this event into the virtual world has been challenging. But it was really important to us that we provided our market’s community of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander makers, performers and creatives an opportunity to connect with the wider audience that the Meeanjin Markets provides—a much larger platform than what they have access to as an individual business.’
More than 30 indigenous small businesses will be participating online at the Meeanjin Virtual Festival between 8-9 May, with the public being able to access virtual events via Facebook and Youtube.
We are incredibly proud of our relationship with Meeanjin Markets and their ability to adopt a digital approach to this year’s festival creating a platform for all Australians to connect with and celebrate Indigenous arts, crafts, and culture.
Sara Parrott, Head of Corporate Responsibility at Suncorp
Organisers and stallholders have welcomed the move to launch the markets online, helping individuals to build skills and develop aspects of their businesses to sell online. Local Quandamooka artist and regular stallholder at Meeanjin, Delvene Cockatoo-Collins, says it’s now more than ever our community needs to comes together in support of local businesses.
“It’s really important to the businesses and performers involved in the markets that it goes ahead as a virtual event. We’ve come up with a great solution to bring the talents of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities directly into the homes and workplaces of people outside the Brisbane city centre,” Delvene says.
“We’ve built a wonderful relationship with Suncorp over the last three years and we’re so happy to have their support again.”
“Having commenced our Reconciliation journey in 2018 through our REFLECT RAP, we have formed meaningful relationships that contribute to reconciliation in a structured, relevant and respectful way," Sara Parrott, Suncorp’s Head of Corporate Responsibility says. "We are incredibly proud of our relationship with Meeanjin Markets and their ability to adopt a digital approach to this year’s festival creating a platform for all Australians to connect with and celebrate Indigenous arts, crafts, and culture.”
To attend this year’s Meeanjin Virtual Festival, and to find out more about the local artists attending, check here.
