Inner West Inclusion Festival 2026: Free Art and Craft Market Stalls at Ashfield Town Hall
Free stalls for original art, craft and design
Inner West Council in Sydney is recruiting stallholders for 'I Should Be So Crafty', an art-and-craft market within its Inclusion Festival 2026. The public market takes place on Saturday 12 December at Ashfield Town Hall. Eligible displays can include artworks, independently designed products, crafts and other original making and creative presentation. Organisers explicitly state that stallholder spaces cost nothing, offering a way for creators to reach an audience without the usual market booking fee. This is a chance to show and sell work, not a cash grant, commission or residency.
All may apply, but disability-led participation is specially encouraged
The council welcomes expressions of interest from all stallholders and particularly encourages d/Deaf and disabled, neurodivergent and chronically ill artists, makers and small business owners. It would misrepresent the call to state that every applicant must have a specific disability, as the official event information says applications for free stalls are open to all. Nor does the visible announcement set an explicit Australian citizenship or local-residency requirement. For that reason, the listing is not counted as a verified one-country-restricted call; participating requires practical ability to attend the in-person Sydney market and comply with the organiser's terms.
Application deadline versus public event date
Stallholder expressions of interest close on 7 November 2026 at 5pm local Sydney time. This is more than a month before the 12 December craft market itself and is the deadline artists need to plan against. Follow the application link on the official Inclusion Festival page and read any relevant conditions before supplying product information or contact details. The submission process is an expression of interest, so a submitted form does not guarantee a free stall or a particular location at the venue.
Why this event matters for inclusive design and making
The market is part of Inner West Council's annual programme marking the International Day of People with Disability, celebrated on 3 December. Its inclusion activities run from late November into December and seek to connect diverse creative communities. Makers of accessible products, illustration, independent editions, textiles, printed design and mixed-media art may find a natural context for the event, but should check the stalls' space, power and accessibility requirements directly with the council instead of assuming particular facilities are included.
Organiser track record and official registration
Inner West Council is a local government authority in Sydney and publicly coordinates the Inclusion Festival and disability-pride activities. Its 2025 community market provides a relevant example of the event's previous operation. The council's website is the source of the specific free-stall offer and deadline; applicants should be cautious of unofficial fee requests for a place advertised as free, and use only the EOI form linked from the current council announcement.
Official organiser and application details
Check official information before applying
This independently written article summarises, edits and explains a third-party funding or arts opportunity for reference. Organisers can change eligibility, application forms, fees, deadlines and contractual terms, and summaries can contain interpretation or translation differences. Before applying, paying, or sharing private data, verify the latest eligibility, closing time, costs, rules and secure submission link on the organiser's official website. Where the information differs, the organiser's published terms take precedence.