Awards & Bursaries

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

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

If you would like to express an interest in an Award, even if it is currently closed, please contact Maxine Clark at maxine@cockpitarts.com

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

Upcoming Awards:

The Cockpit Arts / Clear Insurance Award

Currently closed: Next round opens March 2019

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

Please contact maxine@cockpitarts.com for more information or to express an interest.

The Cockpit Arts / The Clothworkers’ Company Awards

Currently closed: Next round opens March 2019

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. Further information is provided here.

Award Sponsor: The Clothworkers’ Company

Please contact maxine@cockpitarts.com for more information or to express an interest.

The Cockpit Arts / Newby Trust Craft Excellence Awards

Currently closed: Next round opens March 2019

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

Please contact maxine@cockpitarts.com for more information or to express an interest.

The Cockpit Arts / Worshipful Company of Turners Award

Currently closed: Next round opens March 2019

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

Please contact maxine@cockpitarts.com for more information or to express an interest.

The Cockpit Arts / The Arts Society Award

Currently closed: Next round opens June 2019

Open to: a maker practicing a traditional craft that requires skills at risk of dying out.

Additional information: since 2012, the Award has been organised in conjunction with the Heritage Crafts Association

Award Sponsor: The Arts Society (formerly The National Association of Decorative & Fine Arts Societies or NADFAS).

Please contact maxine@cockpitarts.com for more information or to express an interest.

The Cockpit Arts Rosalind Stracey Ceramic Residency

Currently closed: Next round opens September 2019

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

Please contact maxine@cockpitarts.com for more information or to express an interest.

The Cockpit Arts / Leathersellers’ Award

Currently closed: Next round opens January 2020

Due to a fantastic response to the Awards over the past year we have filled all the available spaces and have a diverse range of makers working in leather at our Deptford studios. The Awards will re-open next year, in the meantime you may be interested in our London Creative Network, a professional development programme designed to help craft makers to enhance their ability to advance their business.

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

Please contact maxine@cockpitarts.com for further information

The Cockpit Arts / Harriet’s Trust Award

Currently closed: 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

Please contact maxine@cockpitarts.com for more information or to express an interest

The Cockpit Arts / The Worshipful Company of Basketmakers’ Award

Currently closed

Open to: a maker practicing basket making

Additional information: With this new Award our aim is to welcome a basket maker to start up and grow as an independent maker and business owner

Award Sponsor: The Worshipful Company of Basketmakers Charitable Trust

Please contact maxine@cockpitarts.com for more information or to express an interest

The Cockpit Arts / Worshipful Company of Woolmen Award

Currently closed

Open to: a maker working primarily with wool textiles aiming to develop their craft practice and business.

Additional information: The Worshipful Company of Woolmen will offer mentoring and introductions to appropriate contacts during the year to the Award recipient.

Award Sponsor: The Worshipful Company of Woolmen

Please contact maxine@cockpitarts.com for more information or to express an interest

The Cockpit Arts / Radcliffe Craft Development Award

Currently closed

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

Please contact maxine@cockpitarts.com for more information or to express an interest