awards & bursaries at cockpit

An Award or Bursary at Cockpit includes studio space in London, as well as business support and membership of a vibrant craft community, giving you the space and time to develop your business or practice.

Our Awards

Cockpit makers are selected for excellence in skill, originality of ideas, drive to grow your business or practice, and  ambition to make a contribution to the Cockpit community.

Funded places you can apply for are listed below – some are specific to a particular material or discipline, others are open to all makers. We run four application rounds per year, with Awards opening and closing on a quarterly basis. Please note that Awardees will be assigned a space in either of our two sites (Bloomsbury or Deptford) at Cockpit’s discretion, according to studio availability.

If you have any questions, or are unsure whether this is for you, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. We’d love to hear from you.

To apply, you’ll need to complete an application form via the links below. If shortlisted, you’ll be invited for an interview and you can take a look at the questions we’re likely to ask you here.

Find out what our studios are like by visiting our Frequently Asked Questions page.

Open for application

  • Clothworkers’ Award

    For new weavers to set up in business, within a large shared space at Cockpit Deptford, equipped with a variety of looms and a dye area.

  • Make It Award

    For a London-based maker aged under 26 years, looking for the space and support to build their own craft-based business.

All awards

  • ALMAW Award

    Dedicated to the memory and talents of Alan White (1939-2022), this one-year award will support maker working on wood or textiles who can demonstrate an entrepreneurial spirit as well as creative excellence and craft skills.

  • Arts Scholars Charitable Trust Bursary

    This one-year award is designed to support makers working in all disciplines to develop their craft and business.

  • Arts Society Bursary

    Open to makers working with traditional skills, including those at risk of dying out.

  • Arts Society GLA Bursary

    Open to makers working with traditional skills, including those at risk of dying out.

  • Bagri Craft Award

    For a maker of Asian heritage, or from the Asian diasporas, working in any craft discipline, who can be based anywhere in the world.

  • Basketmakers’ Award

    Designed to help a start-up basket maker grow as an independent maker and business owner.

  • Broderers’ Award

    For a maker that has technical skills in hand embroidery and wishes to develop these within a business setting.

  • Clothworkers’ Award

    For new weavers to set up in business, within a large shared space at Cockpit Deptford, equipped with a variety of looms and a dye area.

  • D’Oyly Carte Award

    This one-year award is designed to support makers from backgrounds underrepresented in craft and safeguard heritage skills.

  • Dyers’ Company Award

    For a maker that uses dyes or colourants in the course of their work, at any stage of their process.

  • Feltmakers’ Award

    For milliners who can demonstrate entrepreneurial spirit and essential craft skills. (Note: felt does not have to be an ingredient of your practice.)

  • Glass Sellers’ Bursary

    For a craftsperson working in warm or cold glass who can demonstrate dedication to developing, nurturing, and passing on their craft.

  • Grant-Turnstone Award

    For a craftsperson ready to make a step-change in their career. The Grant-Turnstone Award is funded former Cockpit awardees Holly Loftus & Daisy Tempest.

  • Haberdashers’ Award

    For start-up makers working in knit, looking to develop their business with help of this 1-year award.

  • Leathersellers’ Award

    Open to makers working in leather who are looking to take their business to the next level.

  • Make It Award

    For a London-based maker aged under 26 years, looking for the space and support to build their own craft-based business.

  • Needlemakers’ Award

    For a maker who uses needles at any stage in their work (not limited to hand sewing needles).

  • Newby Trust Award at Cockpit

    For a maker practicing any craft discipline who is at a turning point in their skill development, looking to grow and achieve financial sustainability.

  • Radcliffe Emerging Maker Award

    Open to makers from any craft discipline who are looking to take their practice to the next level.

  • Rosalind Stracey Ceramic Award

    For a ceramicist who experimentss and take risks with their practice. We are looking for highly skilled makers whose work shows originality and innovation.

  • Turners’ Award

    For an aspiring or established turner working in wood or other materials.

  • Weavers’ Award

    This one-year award is designed to support weaver makers working with all textiles in developing their craft and growing their business.

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