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QEST celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2020 and since 1990 has awarded over £5million to 650 individuals working in over 130 different crafts.They define craft broadly and welcome applications from all areas including rural skills, contemporary craft, conservation, luthiery and much more. A directory of all their alumni can be seen on their website, along with more details on how to apply  (They have two application rounds each year – in January and July). Continue reading →
Grant: Theo Moorman Trust for Weavers
The Theo Moorman Trust for Weavers will be making their biennial grants to weavers during March 2022. Grants of between £500 and £5000 are awarded to younger weavers in the early stages of their careers who show potential and commitment as well as to more experienced weavers for a particular project or for time out to develop their work.
The Theo Moorman Trust for Weavers aims to encourage and support weavers in the United Kingdom to enjoy artistic freedom so that they may contribute to the development of handweaving and the education of future weavers.
Application deadline: 1 March 2022
Further details and an application form is available to download from their website  or by contacting admin@theomoormantrust.org.uk
Alison Morton Memorial Awards
In 2022 the Theo Moorman Trust for Weavers will be making two additional awards in memory of Alison Morton (1946 – 2021). Alison was one of the most dedicated loom weavers of her generation, latterly renowned for her beautiful understated linen cloths and hangings. For the last fourteen years of her life, she was a Trustee of the Theo Moorman Trust for Weavers, a role to which she brought great commitment, as well as invaluable humour and experience.
Weaving residencies at Ruthin Craft Centre 12 – 26 March 2022
Application deadline: 5 January 2022
Continue reading →
The Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust (QEST) awards scholarship and apprenticeship funding of up to £18,000 to talented and aspiring craftspeople working in a broad range of skills, from farriery and cheese maturing to jewellery design, silversmithing, dry stone walling, glassblowing, textiles and sculpture. Our next application round is open 11 January – 15 February 2021
QEST celebrates its 30th anniversary in 2020 and since 1990 has awarded nearly £5million to 600 individuals working in over 130 different crafts. We define craft broadly and welcome applications from all areas including rural skills, contemporary craft, conservation, luthiery and much more. A directory of all our alumni can be seen on our website, along with more details on how to apply. There are two application rounds each year – in January and July.
Supported by the Scottish Graduate School for Arts and Humanities (SGSAH), this studentship offers a unique opportunity to contribute new knowledge and insight within traditional tapestry practice as a structure for smart and e-textile development in partnership with Dovecot Studios and researchers from Edinburgh Napier University (ENU) and the University of Edinburgh (UoE).
This project connects Scotland’s world-renowned tapestry studio with pioneering smart textile design researchers from the School of Arts & Creative Industries (ENU), and Edinburgh College of Art (UoE), and draws on established research within the field of craft practice, smart textile design and technology integration with fine art tapestry weaving.
As one of only five tapestry studios in the world, with a legacy of collaboration with world-class artists and architects spanning over a hundred years, the unique knowledge-base, skillset and working environment, and opportunities for public engagement, provide a unique research framework for the studentship.
The PhD project will explore and question how tapestry practice can embrace innovation in smart materials and create a new marketplace and audience for the medium. Specifically, the research will ask, what does a 21st century smart tapestry look like?
How can the integration of technologies be embedded within traditional heritage tapestry practice and exploit new aesthetics? The project will involve practice-based research methodology and experimental prototyping, providing an experimental counterpoint to literature review work. It will also involve working on looms, using electronic components, conductive and state change materials, reflexive analysis of structural and material tapestry components.
Included in the studentship is an 18-month placement at Dovecot, which will allow studio practice and knowledge exchange, workshops and involvement in wider research networks. Continue reading →
Cockpit Arts has two Awards open for application for talented makers to join the Cockpit Arts community in September 2020. Each of these Awards will provide a subsidised or free space to a Maker, and this round has two spaces on an open discipline Award.
The Cockpit Arts / The Clothworkers’ Company Awards
This Award aims to assist three graduate weavers to set up in business. Weavers can be working in any form: for example, creating products, visual art, working with mills and making samples for industry.
The Award comprises one year’s business support and subsidised studio space at Cockpit Arts Deptford, including space in a shared studio equipped with Leclerc, Louet, ARM looms and a dye area, thanks to The Clothworkers’ Company. The Award is for one year with further financial support for up to two years on a sliding scale, by selection.
The Cockpit Arts / Newby Trust Craft Excellence Awards
This Award aims to support two makers to practice their craft at a key stage in their skill development and support their craft business to achieve financial sustainability. The Newby Trust Craft Excellence Award offers two makers each year a rare and valued opportunity to develop their craft skill and excellence in any discipline, nurturing both ability and talent.
The Award comprises one year’s business support and subsidised studio space at Cockpit Arts.
Further details and application forms are available to download from their website – https://cockpitarts.com/awards-bursaries/, or please contact maxine@cockpitarts.com for further information or to express an interest.
Text: Cockpit Arts. Image Poppy Fuller – Abbot
The Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust (QEST) awards scholarship and apprenticeship funding of up to £18,000 to talented and aspiring craftspeople working in a broad range of skills, from farriery and cheese maturing to jewellery design, textiles, silversmithing and sculpture. Their next application round is open 14 July – 24 August 2020.
QEST celebrates its 30th anniversary in 2020 and since 1990 has awarded over £4.5million to more than 550 individuals working in over 130 different crafts. They define craft broadly and welcome applications from all areas including rural skills, contemporary craft, conservation, luthiery and much more. A directory of all their alumni can be seen on our website, along with more details on how to apply – www.qest.org.uk QEST have two application rounds each year – in January and July.
The Theo Moorman Trust for Weavers aim to encourage and support weavers in the United Kingdom to enjoy artistic freedom so that they may contribute to the development of handweaving and the education of future weavers.
Biennially they award grants to younger weavers in the early stages of their careers who show potential and commitment, as well as to more experienced weavers for a particular project or for time out to develop their work.
Those who have recently completed higher education need to have two years working experience before applying.
Grants are available to enable weavers to purchase equipment and materials; take a sabbatical to reassess the creative nature of their work; pursue a specific project; or develop in any other way approved by the Trustees.
Trust information
The Theo Moorman Trust for Weavers has been in existence since 1990 and aims to be a valuable resource for both young and experienced weavers. The Trustees want to ensure that the grants that are made enable individual weavers to maintain a high standard of work, and through this, to promote weaving as an art form.
Often a small grant can make all the difference at a key stage of development, by allowing time to think through ideas, train in a particular technique, or through the provision of a physical space or equipment. Short-listed applicants are interviewed, so that they can talk through their work in detail with Trustees.
Full details of the application process can be found on their grants page.
Grant details
Grants are awarded biennially.
The closing date for the next application is 1st March 2020.
Applications received after this date will not be considered.
Selection date: 9 March 2020 Interview date: 23 March 2020
The Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust (QEST) offers Scholarships of up to £18,000 for the training and education of talented craftspeople. They want to sustain vital skills in traditional and contemporary crafts and contribute to excellence in the British craft industry.
About the Scholarships
Who can apply?
Their QEST Scholarships fund the education and training of any individual UK resident, aged 17 or older, who would like to improve their craft skills.
What do they fund?
QEST funds traditional college courses, vocational training or one to one training with a master craftsperson.
They want to support excellence in British craftsmanship so are looking for established makers, planning to stay in the UK and contribute to the craft sector.
They encourage applications from a broad range of crafts and are excited by contemporary craftsmanship and innovative applications of traditional craft techniques. To see the types of craft they have funded, and the standard of excellence they are looking for please review their Alumni page.
In addition to training costs, they can cover costs directly related to your training such as transport, equipment, materials, accommodation and living costs as long as it is proportionate to the grant request. Continue reading →
The Theo Moorman Trust aims to encourage and support weavers in the United Kingdom to enjoy artistic freedom so that they may contribute to the development of handweaving and the education of future weavers.
Biennially they award grants to younger weavers in the early stages of their careers who show potential and commitment as well as to more experienced weavers for a particular project or for time out to develop their work.
The Theo Moorman Trust for Weavers has been in existence since 1990 and aims to be a valuable resource for both young and experienced weavers. The Trustees want to ensure that the grants that are made enable individual weavers to maintain a high standard of work, and through this, to promote weaving as an art form.
Often a small grant can make all the difference at a key stage of development, by allowing time to think through ideas, train in a particular technique, or through the provision of a physical space or equipment. Short-listed applicants are interviewed, so that they can talk through their work in detail with Trustees.
Who may apply
Weavers living and working in the United Kingdom may apply. Whilst the Trust may fund some specialist weaving courses formal under-graduate and post-graduate studies will not be funded. Applicants need to have at least two and a half years working experience of their weaving independent of higher education (including post graduate courses) before applying. Applicants must be able to supply images of work done in the last two years. Continue reading →
Applications are invited for the Cockpit Arts / The Clothworkers’ Foundation Awards 2017. The Awards are only open to weavers who have graduated within the last 5 years.
The Awards aim to assist emerging weavers each year to set up in business by providing studio space and business support provided by Cockpit Arts as well as shared use of looms. The selection panel, including the acclaimed ikat weaver and designer Mary Restieaux, and a representative of The Clothworkers’ Foundation, will be looking for up to three individuals who demonstrate entrepreneurial spirit as well as creative excellence and craft skills.
The Award contributes to the cost of a place at Cockpit for one year from July 2017 and will include a space in a shared studio equipped with a dye area, 3 looms, Leclerc and Louet, and the following benefits:
• Studio space and use of looms within the creative community of Cockpit Arts at Deptford, London, SE8 with access to office facilities and resource centre.
• Business and professional development services including on-site coaching, a personalised development plan, workshops and seminars.
• A range of selling and promotional opportunities including Cockpit Arts Open Studios selling events twice a year.
• Award worth £2,000 with the remaining £2,000 fee being provided by the Award winners, payable on a monthly basis.
How to Apply:
• Please request a “Clothworkers Award†application pack from dana@cockpitarts.com
• Deadline for receipt of applications is midday, Wednesday 12 April 2017
• Interviews with shortlisted applicants will be held on Thursday 20 April 2017
• Move into Cockpit Arts Deptford no later than 1 July 2017
