Vision
From 29 November to 3 December 2023, the MK&G messe will present the latest trends in contemporary craft, including both up-and-coming and well-known positions, international tendencies and fresh perspectives from many disciplines such as ceramics, glass art and jewellery design. As an international forum, the MK&G messe offers a broad audience arts and crafts of high design and craftsmanship quality as well as an up-to-date public programme, which highlights creative and authentic production processes. In terms of content, the design of the fair’s architecture, as well as a guest country, will also be special focuses. For the first time in its history, the MK&G messe will be accompanied by a large solo exhibition devoted to contemporary craft: for 2023, the renowned jewelry artist Margit Jäschke has been invited to present her work.
The opening of the fair and the presentation of the Justus Brinckmann Prize as well as the New Generation Award will take place on Tuesday, 28 November 2023 at 6 pm.

Young Talents
The invitation-only category called Young Talents is a small selection of emerging artisans that has been invited to Hamburg to participate in the fair without going through the application process. The goal of Young Talents is to promote young creatives and showcase the future of craft and its innovative possibilities. In short, through the curated selection and support of the Young Talents, the general aim is to advance and enhance contemporary crafts. Positions at the MK&G messe are presented without galleries and all participants are present throughout the fair’s duration. This tradition creates and supports lasting relationships between collectors and artists, which are crucial to contemporary craft practice today. With the Young Talents, MK&G aims to build a strong connection for future collaborations.
Young Talent participants are awarded a booth free of charge and receive a financial stipend to support in the production and transportation of their work. They are not eligible for either of the annual prizes awarded by the Justus Brinckmann Society at the fair.
Jury
Prof. Tulga Beyerle, Director, MK&G, Hamburg
Thomas Geisler, Director of the Museum of Decorative Arts of the Dresden State Art Collections
Prof. Axel Kufus, Professor of Design and Development, Faculty of Design, Berlin University of the Arts
Wolfgang Lösche, Head of the Exhibitions Department of the Chamber of Crafts Munich and Upper Bavaria
Aino Nebel, winner of the JBG Prize at the MK&G messe 2022 and artist, Rheinsberg
Erika Pinner, Curator and Head of the Applied Arts & Design Collection, MK&G, Hamburg
Prof. Angeli Sachs, Professor at Zurich University of the Arts, Zurich
Marlo Scheder-Bieschin, Vice Chair of the Justus Brinckmann Society, MK&G Circle of Friends, Hamburg

Awards
The MK&G messe is both a forum for arts and crafts of the highest creative and artisanal quality and an experimental space for up-and-coming artistic talents. At the same time, the current value debate about ecology and new luxury, one-offs and mass-market products, production and working conditions is bringing new topicality to arts and crafts fairs. Inhabiting the territory between tradition and innovation, they provide a key forum for connecting with the cultural knowledge surrounding craft techniques, the properties of materials and sustainable processing methods.
The Justus Brinckmann Prize
As one of the oldest events of its kind in Germany, the MK&G messe is no stranger to engaging with contemporary developments and presents the Justus Brinckmann Prize for outstanding merit every year, together with prize money of €7,500.

Team
Fair management:
Isabelle von Schilcher, Executive Director, Justus Brinckmann Fördergesellschaft mbH
Erika Pinner, Curator and Head of the Applied Arts & Design Collection, MK&G, Hamburg
Project management / contact for fair enquiries:
Isabelle von Schilcher
+49(0)40 24 52 91
kontakt@mkgmesse.de
Justus Brinckmann Förder-GmbH
General contact data:
MK&G messe
Justus Brinckmann Förder-GmbH
Steintorplatz 1
20099 Hamburg
The MK&G messe is organised by the Justus Brinckmann Förder-GmbH in collaboration with the Museum für Kunst und Gewerbe Hamburg
Venue: Museum für Kunst und Gewerbe, Steintorplatz, 20099 Hamburg
Information: mkg-hamburg.de and mkgmesse.de