Awards & Bursaries

As a Social Enterprise we support talented makers by providing sponsored places at our incubators.

Please see below for upcoming Awards. All Awards comprise business support provided by Cockpit Arts as well as subsidised studio space for one year.

Visit the ‘Apply for a Studio’ page to see FAQs and application information.

Please note that our Awards and Bursaries are not open to current studio holders at Cockpit Arts.

All of our Awards are Currently Closed for Applications

The Cockpit Arts / Leathersellers’ Award

Open to: talented makers who are seeking business development support to take their creative business to the next level.

Additional information: winners will be required to develop new work where leather is a major constituent.

Award Sponsor: The Leathersellers’ Company Charitable Fund

The Cockpit Arts / The Worshipful Company of Feltmakers’ Award

Open to a maker working as a milliner or with primarily felt textiles.

Award Sponsor: The Worshipful Company of Feltmakers

The Cockpit Arts Rosalind Stracey Ceramic Residency

Open to: a ceramicist who has a strong desire to experiment and take risks with their practice; we are looking for makers who demonstrate originality, innovation, creativity, craft skill and quality in the work and concepts presented.

Additional information: the successful applicant will be provided with a dedicated studio at our south London premises including the use of a kiln, thanks to support from Rohde kilns.

Award Sponsor: The S.H.A Charitable Trust

The Cockpit Arts / Haberdashers’ Award

Open to: makers working in knit to assist them to set up in business. We are looking for individuals who demonstrate entrepreneurial spirit as well as creative excellence and craft skills and are committed to working closely with Cockpit Arts to realise their longer-term goals.

Award Sponsor: The Haberdashers’ Company

The Cockpit Arts / The Worshipful Company of Basketmakers’ Award

Open to: a maker practicing basket making; our aim is to welcome a basket maker to Cockpit Arts to grow as an independent maker and business owner.

Award Sponsor: The Worshipful Company of Basketmakers Charitable Trust

The Cockpit Arts / Radcliffe Craft Development Award

Open to: a talented maker with a commitment to high quality craftsmanship, who demonstrates a clear need and commitment to developing their craft skill.

Additional information: as well as a subsidised place at Cockpit Arts for one year, the winner will receive a £1,000 bursary towards a craft development programme of their choice.

Award Sponsor: The Radcliffe Trust

The Cockpit Arts / Harriet’s Trust Award

Next round opens January 2020

Open to: a talented maker working in any craft discipline with a commitment to high quality craftsmanship.

Additional information: This is a 3-year Award, a fully subsidised place at Cockpit Arts in the first year is followed by a partially funded place for two further years.

Award Sponsor: Harriet’s Trust

The Cockpit Arts / Clear Insurance Award

Open to: aims to support professional makers who have been in business for less than three years and have aspirations to develop their craft business.

Additional information: Clear Insurance Management continue to show their commitment to supporting creative businesses; having run The Clear Insurance Scheme for Craft Workers & Designer-makers since November 2002.

Award Sponsor: Clear Insurance Management

The Cockpit Arts / Newby Trust Craft Excellence Awards

Open to: aims to support a maker to practice their craft at a key stage in their skill development and support their craft business to achieve financial sustainability.

Additional information: The Newby Trust Craft Excellence Award offers two makers each year a rare and valued opportunity to develop their craft skill and excellence, nurturing both ability and talent.

Award Sponsor: The Newby Trust

The Cockpit Arts / The Clothworkers’ Company Awards

Open to: graduates within the last five years, these awards aim to assist 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.

Additional information: the Awards include space in a shared studio equipped with Leclerc, Louet and new ARM looms and a dye area.

Award Sponsor: The Clothworkers’ Company

The Cockpit Arts / Worshipful Company of Turners Award

Open to: an aspiring or established turner i.e. someone who practices the art and craft of turning on a lathe in wood or other materials to develop their craft practice.

Award Sponsor: The Worshipful Company of Turners