Awards and bursaries

We are looking for milliners who are seeking business development support and can demonstrate entrepreneurial spirit and essential craft skills. The objective of the award is to support a candidate who will be successful within the Millinery market. Felt does not necessarily need to be an essential ingredient. The Feltmakers’ 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 a shared studio for one year worth up to £5,000.

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 Award space allocated is at Cockpit discretion. Please note that most studios are shared and sizes vary.

Applicants must:

• Be a maker working as a milliner or with primarily felt textiles
• 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 prior to 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.)

We particularly encourage applications from those who are underrepresented in craft including non-graduates, disabled, D/deaf and neurodiverse people, LGBTQIA+ people, and people from Black, Asian and Global Majority backgrounds. We welcome applicants from a range of educational backgrounds and there is no minimum formal qualification for this Award. 

To apply please complete the application form. 

The Worshipful Company of Feltmakers is a Livery company in the City of London whose Charter was granted by James I in 1604. The company supports and has an association with the hatting and felt industries in the UK. It organises a Europe–wide hatting competition each year, open to students at design schools and fashion colleges as well as apprentices at hat making companies. The first prize is presented by the Lady Mayoress at the annual banquet. The Master of the company presents the incoming Lord Mayor each year with a prestigious tricorn hat with black plumes. The new Lord Mayor is appointed in the Silent Ceremony in the Guildhall, the moment he puts on this hat. 

The Main purpose of the company, however, is charitable giving and the company raises funds for its Charitable Foundation. Donations are made to a wide range of causes including Pensioner Hatters, the disadvantaged in London, Treloars School for the handicapped, the Lord Mayor’s Appeal, The Helen Arkell Dyslexia Charity, Cockpit Arts and the Armed Forces. 

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.