Awards and bursaries

This one-year award is for a maker that uses dyes or colourants in the course of their work, this may be at any stage in the process. The Award will help the successful awardee by providing the space and time to develop their business, gain confidence, and develop their profile. We are looking for applicants who can demonstrate an entrepreneurial spirit as well as show creative excellence and craft skill. 

• Subsidised shared studio space for one year within the creative community at Cockpit, with an anticipated start date between July and September 2026 

• Business support services including one-to-one coaching and business development workshops 

• Selling and promotional opportunities, including two annual Cockpit Open Studios events 

• Financial contribution required by makers: £520 per year (approx. £43 per month) 

• Makers who use dyes or colourants in the course of their work, at any stage of their process. 

• Please note: We only accept one application per applicant per Award for each award round. If you are unsure about which Award to apply for, please contact Kanny Morgan, Awards & Admissions Coordinator at kanny@cockpitstudios.org. 

The Wardens and Commonalty of the Mistery of Dyers of the City of London (known as The Dyers’ Company) is one of the ancient Livery Companies of the City of London. 

The Company has encouraged and supported the craft of dyeing since the 12th century; its present-day activities centre on the continuing development of colour science and the use of colour in textile design through strong educational connections. Promoting the use of colour across the many different fields of human activity, the Company’s long term aim is to attract new talent into the commercial and academic sectors and to support the continuing quest for excellence among industry practitioners. 

Interviews for the Dyers’ Award will be held on 15 June 2026.

Cockpit is committed to inclusion, diversity, and equity in all our activities, recognising that creativity and innovation are fuelled by diversity. 

Read our full statement and see our aims here.  

We particularly encourage applications from those who are underrepresented in craft including non-graduates, disabled, D/deaf, and neurodiverse people, LGBTQ+ 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 programme. 

*Global Majority is a collective term that refers to people who are Black, Asian, dual-heritage, mixed-heritage, indigenous to the global South, and/or have been racialised as ‘ethnic minorities’. 

As part of our commitment to increasing diversity, we offer a guaranteed interview scheme for applicants who meet Cockpit’s eligibility criteria, the award criteria, and identify as being from a Global Majority background and/or as D/deaf and/or disabled. This scheme recognises under-representation and that structural injustices mean that, currently, there is not a ‘level-playing field’ in our sector or society.  

If you identify as having one or more of these protected characteristics and meet the eligibility and award criteria, please indicate in your application that you would like to be considered under our guaranteed interview scheme.  

If you have any questions, check our FAQs page or contact us.