The full program has been announced for Make Nice, an annual ‘Un-Conference’ for creative women. Launched in 2016, the two-day event was “created by women, for women” and is targeted at “any and all female-identifying creatives”. For instance, the 2017 program features illustrators, writers, photographers, designers, makers, bakers, curators, artists, songwriters, gamers, painters and producers.

A carefully curated selection of local and international speakers is at the heart of the event, but Make Nice is just as much about fostering supportive and informal networks between female creatives. Or in the words of the organisation itself, its aim is to “make things easier and better” for women working in the creative industries.

“Make Nice is special because their speakers are original, they are carefully curated local and international creatives whose work and experiences will resonate with all their attendees, regardless of their industry. Make Nice keynotes are not often featured at other conferences and they don’t present portfolio talks, rather they give an insight into their practice as creative professionals: their challenges, their strategies and the way they make their life at work,” reads a statement issued by Make Nice.

“For 2017 Make Nice have built a program that includes practical, interesting, super-useful workshops and talks with topics covering, I’ve Started My Own Thing, Now What?, Confidence in Career, Pressure to be Perfect / Imposter Syndrome and Collaboration over Competition. Speakers participate in all aspects of the event too – this means attendees have a unique opportunity to engage with them throughout the un-conference, at both programmed and social events.”

The 2017 lineup of keynotes, collaborative discussions and workshops will feature artist Stanislava Pinchuk of miso, writer and editor Ann Friedman, designer Becky Simpson, and design director Leah Procko, among others. The opening event will kick off on Friday 22 September, with welcome drinks to be held in the Sydney suburb of Surry Hills. The full-day Un-Conference will take place on Saturday 23 September, and culminate in drinks at Freda’s bar in Chippendale.

Tickets for 2017 Make Nice: An Un-Conference for Creative Women are available here.