Designing Centre for Culture and The Danish Agency Danish Crafts Collection Danish Cultural Institute / INDEX: Danish Fashion Institute Sustainable Growth Development (CKU) for Culture CICLO Design to Improve Life®

At the 2014 Design Indaba, a handful of Danish public and private The Danish Centre for Culture and Development (CKU) is an The Danish Agency for Culture executes the cultural policies of Danish Crafts Collection is an award-winning annual collection The Danish Cultural Institute (DCI) disseminates cultural exchange The Danish Design Centre (DDC) is an independent, government- INDEX: Design to Improve Life® is a Danish non-profit The Danish Fashion Institute (DAFI) is a network organization institutions join forces in an attempt to present an updated view independent institution under the Danish Ministry for Foreign the Danish government within visual and performing arts, music, that has presented curated selections of contemporary Danish between and other countries through its head office funded organization established in 1978. DDC’s focus in relation organisation with a global reach. INDEX: inspires, educates created by and for the Danish fashion industry with a goal to on Danish design in a societal context. Affairs that aims to strengthen the cultural cooperation between literature, museums, historical and cultural heritage, broadcasting, craft and design at international fairs and other commercial in and branches in Brazil, China, Russia, Poland, to the design community and business sector is on collecting, and engages in using Design to Improve Life-skills to develop strengthen the industry and promote Danish fashion globally. Denmark and developing countries around the world. libraries and all printed and electronic media. Under the aegis contexts since 1999. Benelux, Latvia and United Kingdom. The DCI creates dialogue, communicating and testing knowledge about the main factors sustainable solutions for global challenges through the world’s It is open to all companies with connections to or an interest Under the headline Designing Sustainable Growth, they of the Danish Ministry of Culture, it employs about 300 skilled exchange and mutual inspiration through a broad concept of that influence design and how design can continue to be a driver biggest design award, the INDEX: Award, worth € 500,000. in the Danish fashion industry. The institute’s focus areas include will present and discuss design from very different angles: Design Network Africa (DNA), a project initiated and led by professionals and administers an annual budget of more than The collection aims to initiate a professional career on commercial culture in activities spanning art, culture and society. It focuses for innovation and growth in the future. INDEX: showcases the positive outcomes of the world’s best industry networking and matchmaking, knowledge-sharing, From contemporary craft and sustainable fashion to education, the CKU and funded by Danida, is a globally recognized plat- 4.2 billion DKK. terms for the individual participants and to contribute to the overall on developing partnerships and networks for priority initiatives examples in this context, arranging world touring exhibitions, skills development, transfers of knowledge, individual cultural exchange and Design To Improve Life®. form for collectible South African Design. CKU regards art and promotion of Danish craft and design. The collection is marketed connecting culture with sustainable development, education, Since 2012, the DDC has been working to develop and com- education programs, city collaborations and investment initiatives. consulting and mega events. Spearheaded by DAFI, there has creativity as crucial parameters for sustainable human and societal The agency works internationally in all fields, and increased by a targeted press campaign both locally and internationally. children & youth, innovation and co-creation. It’s an independent municate new design solutions resulting from cross-disciplinary been a lot of effort to promote fashion in Denmark’s political development and as key factors for democracy, human rights and internationalization of Danish arts and cultural life is a top priority. Over the years, the works of several participants in the collection organisation partly funded by a state grant from the Ministry of processes involving close cooperation with businesses, designers, INDEX: engages in both top-down and bottom-up approaches agenda, so that the creative industry and business skills can come The strong current position of Danish craft and design has growth. It forms part of CKU’s regional program to strengthen When the agency engages in projects, the collaboration is always have been produced by leading design companies. Culture. researchers, scientists, artists and authorities both nationally and to involve governments, organisations, companies and people in together to strengthen Denmark’s stand internationally, allowing been made possible by the presence of a large field of young the business dimension in the design sector in Africa by creating based on a set of principles for international cultural exchange. internationally. The aim is to strengthen society’s capacity through long-term, valuable network collaborations – ensuring economic, the industry to continue to grow. craftspeople and designers who switch effortlessly between networks, building capacities, increasing originality and improving In practice, the following principles apply: From 1999 to 2013, Danish Crafts Collection has been organised CICLO is an international arts education project organized and design and – in a contemporary way – to carry on, enhance and social and environmentally sustainable solutions. one-off objects and industrial design. The new generation works business skills of the selected companies, which by example will • Artistic quality, originality and relevance by Danish Crafts. As of January 2014 Danish Crafts has been coordinated by the DCI in cooperation with the Danish UNESCO renew the Danish design tradition. At the same time, the DDC is Today DAFI has 135 members with businesses ranging from the in the productive field of tension between the artistic and the give encouragement and inspiration to other local design • Collaboration and reciprocity merged with the Danish Agency for Culture, and the collection National Commission, Danish Cultural Agency and Live Music in collaborating on a number of international projects dealing with The Design to Improve Life Education Initiative is a holistic vision largest and most established companies to a new generation commercial sphere. businesses. • Long-term, flexible and proactive continues under the aegis of the Danish Arts Foundation with Schools based on cooperation with public and private partners the future role of design in innovation and the developments in to creative teaching, balancing and integrating society’s need for of fashion brands. Since its establishment in 2005, DAFI has • Knowledge sharing, education and debate the Danish Agency for Culture serving as the secretariat. in Denmark, Brazil, South Africa and Russia. It aims to contribute materials, technology and big data, sharing the results digitally competencies with an individual’s need for meaningful learning organized the Copenhagen Fashion Week which brings together Since became an internationally acclaimed The program has been designed to encourage collaboration • Evaluation, documentation and follow-up to UNESCO’s goals for the global development of Arts Education, across the globe. while fostering innovation and entrepreneurial power. Students, fashion professionals across the industry. From its early years as phenomenon some 60 years ago, design in all forms has between the designers, who share common difficulties and In 2014 the Danish Crafts Collection (CC18) is curated by in particular to improve access to quality arts education and teachers, educators, designers and decision makers are educated a token fashion event, today, the Copenhagen Fashion Week permeated the Danish society, taking the concept far beyond solutions, mentorship, exploration of new manufacturing processes The agency works strategically to develop and present Danish Pil Bredahl and will be presented in Paris in September. cultural and social relevance of arts education. The DDC takes on the role of a forum between industry, the through a certified education curriculum, summer schools and has grown to become a huge cultural event in Copenhagen. products and architecture. There is a clear connection between and materials and a true interchange of skills, aesthetics and arts and culture to further the cultural exchange with other government, scientists, artists and the entire creative community national design challenges. It functions as an umbrella event under which many other cultural the systems and service designs of the 21st century and the iconic narratives. DNA was conceived with the mission ‘Good Business countries, and to strengthen Danish arts and culture through Designer Pil Bredahl has first-hand experience with experimental The name CICLO means cyclical and refers to ‘sustainable and sees design as a platform that connects new technology, events are organized, bringing the fashion industry closer to designs from the ‘golden age’ represented by architects and through Good Design’. internationalization. The basis of the government platform, and commercial design and has as a strong commitment to ethical development’, and the project connects education in arts and new materials and big data. The DDC has always been active In collaboration with didactics and process facilitators INDEX: the local residents and tourists. designers such as , Hans J. Wegner, and Børge strategies , inter-ministerial work groups, action plans and focus and sustainable design. She is the co-founder of FairTradeDesigners, sustainable development. School children in different countries in keeping design on the Danish political agenda, earlier by has developed new interdisciplinary methods and tools fit for Mogensen. DNA links highly respected designers from East, West and areas are thereby formulated for international cultural exchange. a design group involved in development projects based on could re-imagine how their neighborhood can become creating knowledge and awareness of the value of design, this type of education and the following initiatives are offered: In 2008, DAFI initiated NICE, Nordic Initiative Clean and Ethical Southern Africa who have been selected for their original products A central component in the agency’s handling of international fairtrade production in developing countries. Her professional sustainable and through awareness, creation, performance and today by measuring this omnipresent impact in concrete ways • Design to Improve Life Education in cooperation with Nordic Fashion Association. NICE aims to The use of design to improve life in the home or the workplace and unique brands and who represent the vibrancy and distinctive tasks on cultural exchange is the steering committee governed career includes a long-standing cooperation with several Danish communication of creative expressions the project highlights and bridging the innovation gap. • Denmark’s Design to Improve Life Challenge assist and motivate fashion business processes and practices is closely linked to the larger societal designs of Denmark, for expression of a new African identity. The current network consists by a cooperation agreement between the Danish Ministry of design brands, earning her a number of awards and honours. the cyclical regeneration of life and natural resources across and • Education partnerships through our Design to Improve Life to create social value. Since 2009, NICE has organized the instance the Danish cooperative movement and the folk high of 15 member companies from nine countries in East, West and Foreign Affairs and the Danish Ministry of Culture. Pursuant to Pil graduated as a product and designer from The Danish between cultures. The DDC’s mantra is ‘design that makes sense’, and the Centre Cities Copenhagen Fashion Summit, which is held every two years schools. These and many others have been important formative Southern Africa: Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Mali, the agreement, the agency is the executive and coordinating Design School (now the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, strives to promote design activities in the intersection of design and brings together professionals, politicians, experts and factors in the shaping of the Danish welfare society. Senegal, South Africa, Swaziland and Zimbabwe. agent of the entities of the agreement – for example, in the School of Design (KADK) in 1997, and a master’s degree in design CICLO will be launched on 1st March 2014 in Cape Town and and innovation in order to provide solutions to very complex INDEX: Design to Improve Life®’s unique strengths lie in the NGOs from around the world to discuss visions and challenges coordination of cultural work by Danish representatives and theory, from KADK in 2013, with a dissertation on commercial culminates in a programme of performances and exhibitions in problems in meaningful and valuable ways. ability to activate 12 years of knowledge about global challenges, for a sustainable industry. DNA will present cutting edge, limited edition African design cultural institutes abroad. design and sustainability. Pil Bredahl is the curator for the Danish the global UNESCO Arts Education Week, 19 - 23 May 2014, thousands of cases from all over the world about Design to www.danishfashioninstitute.dk Today, new design has become synonymous with sustainable as a prominent feature of Guild – Africa’s first international design Crafts Collection(CC18) in 2014. in Cape Town, Copenhagen, Rio de Janeiro and St. Petersburg. At the Design Indaba, the DDC will present a range of talks at Improve Life, a large, international network and new engaging design. It still aims at letting people, businesses and the society fair to be launched In Cape Town at the Lookout, V&A Waterfront. Further, the agency undertakes secretariat tasks for councils www.kunst.dk the Conference and aligned events, sharing the wide perspective and thoroughly tested methods and tools for education – all as a whole grow, prosper and thrive, but environmental, economic 27 February to 9 March 2014 and committees, including projects, studies, and development In Cape Town the project is coordinated by Frank Joubert Art and possibilities of design that are now prevalent in Denmark. of which is available to everyone involved. and social sustainability are, from the outset, embedded in the www.cku.dk plans touching on Danish arts and culture and the promotion Centre/ Ibhabhathane Project and is a contributor to the Cape www.ddc.dk, www.designsociety.dk www.designtoimprovelife.dk designing of systems, services and products. and development of Danish arts and culture internationally. Town World Design Capital. www.kulturstyrelsen.dk www.dankultur.dk We look forward to meeting you at the Design Indaba, Cape Town, and to share our ideas and visions about Designing Sustainable Growth. Contact Programme More than ever, The Danish Denmark: new design has Design Centre The Danish Agency for Culture Indaba Conference Charlotte Malte See official program Design Society Denmark [email protected] Nille Juul-Sørensen with Henrik Vibskov, Mikal Hallstrup become synonymous takes on the role Designing and Vinay Venkatraman Danish Design Centre Bo Dybkær Events Arena, Expo Floor with sustainable of a forum Sustainable [email protected] Friday, 28 February 2014 Making the Difference through Design 8:30 am - 9:30 am Nille Juul-Sørensen with Henrik Vibskov, INDEX: Design to Improve Life® Mikal Hallstrup and Vinay Venkatraman design. between industry, Growth Adam von Haffner Paulsen [email protected] Saturday, 1 March 2014 Denmark: Designing Sustainable Growth 8:30 am - 9:30 am Presentation by Centre for Culture and Development (CKU), It still aims at letting the government, Design Indaba, 26 February - 2 March 2012 DAFI Danish Fashion Institute (DAFI) and Danish Crafts Collection. Eva Kruse Cape Town, World Design Capital 2014 [email protected] Educator’s Indaba people, businesses scientists, Saturday, 1 March 2014 INDEX: Design to Improve Life Photo: Virgine Salot CKU 9:45 am - 10:45 am on Education Louise F. Pedersen and society artists and the [email protected] Saturday, 1 March 2014 Danish Cultural Institute presents projects MINDCRAFT is an internationally recognized and award-winning 11:00 am - 12:00 am on CICLO’s initive on Art Education exhibition with varied participants and external curators presenting some Danish Crafts Collection as a whole grow, of the best contemporary Danish craft and design on the world’s leading entire creative Kristian Kastoft Saturday, 1 March 2014 Launch of design scene during the Milan design week. MINDCRAFT was organized [email protected] 12:15 am - 12:45 am CICLO’s International Programme by the organization Danish Crafts from 2008-2013 and is now organized prosper and thrive, by The Danish Arts Foundation and The Danish Agency for Culture. community DCI / CICLO Design Indaba Expo Olaf Gerlach Hansen Index: Design to Improve Life® [email protected] but environmental, and sees design Exhibition of Index: Award finalists 27 February 2014 - 2 March 2014 economic and social as a platform The annual Design Indaba Expo is South Africa’s Design: Babacar M’Bodj Niang, Senegal premier showcase of high-end design, exhibiting Children attending architecture class in their spare time the homegrown wares of all the creative sectors Design Network Africa (DNA), led by CKU is a globally recognized platform at The Children’s Culture House Ama’r, Copenhagen, sustainability are, that connects under one roof. for collectible South African Design. an initiative by the Danish Cultural Institute. Photo: Julie Dufour Wiese. Thursday, 27 February 2014 Exclusive Buyer’s day and preview for all conference Design: Hamed Ouattara, Burkina Faso from the outset, new technology, delegates Friday, 28 February 2014 Open to the public 10:00 - 20:00 Saturday, 1 March 2014 Open to the public 10:00 - 20:00 embedded in new materials Sunday, 2 March 2014 Open to the public 10:00 - 18:00 the designing and big data. of systems, services

and artifacts. Photo: Jule Hering

Index: Design to Improve Life® Exhibition of Index: Award finalists