Awards and bursaries

The Award aims to assist a basketmaker to start up and grow as an independent maker and business owner. We look for applicants who demonstrates entrepreneurial spirit, creative excellence and developed craft skills. The Company, in addition to supporting the Award financially, will be involved with the promotion and the selection of the recipient. The Worshipful Company of Basketmakers’ Award at Cockpit offers one year of business support and subsidised studio space at Cockpit.

• Studio space for one year within the creative community at Cockpit.

• Business support services including one-to-one coaching and business development workshops.
• Selling and promotional opportunities, including two annual Cockpit Open Studios events.

This is a heavily subsidised space in shared studio for one year worth up to £4,500. The successful applicant will supplement this award in first year by paying £500 over 12 months. The total sum is linked to the cost of the space and support services. Electricity costs, insurance and office service charges will be payable on top and cannot be paid from the Award. The studio space allocated is at Cockpit’s discretion. Please note that most studios are shared, and sizes vary but an average studio space per maker is around 100-150sq ft.  

Applicants must

• Work in traditional or contemporary basketry.
• Commit to taking up the Award and developing their practice for the full duration of the Award.
• Commit to attending our Induction Day and full set of Make It Count business training workshops.
• Arrange and pay for their own public liability insurance (minimum £5m) and contents insurance before the start date.
• Be currently living in the UK and entitled to remain in the UK for the period of the Award. Cockpit is unable to sponsor or support visa applications.

Please complete the application form.

The Worshipful Company of Basketmakers was constituted by the Court of Aldermen in 1569, granted a livery of thirty in 1825 and received its Royal Charter from George VI in 1937. The Company was formed to regulate the basketmaking trade in the City of London and in 1463 trade was concentrated in the manor of Blanche Appleton, in the area of the present Guild Church of St. Margaret Pattens. The Company not only possesses a superb collection, extending more than three centuries, of plate, regalia and records, but many examples of basketwork, including some miniature Madeira baskets presented by the late Princess Royal when she became an honorary Freeman as was the late Queen Mary. HRH the Duchess of Gloucester is currently an honorary Liveryman of the Company.

All awards and bursaries at Cockpit include studio space, business support and membership of a vibrant craft community, giving successful makers the space and time to develop their profile, grow their business or practice, and increase profitability. In applications, we are looking for individuals who demonstrate entrepreneurial spirit, creative excellence and highly developed craft skills.