Apply Now: Spring Award Applications Are Open

It’s that time of year! Applications are now open for our first awards intake of the year, with a total of ten Awards and Bursaries for makers to apply for.

For over 30 years, Cockpit has provided funded and subsidised studio spaces in London for talented craftspeople, along with in-house business support and coaching to help them thrive in their business and creative practice.

Receiving an Award or Bursary is a prestigious achievement and can provide the support you need to elevate your business. You will benefit from:

• Subsidised studio space at Cockpit (assigned in either Bloomsbury or Deptford subject to studio availability).
• Access to specialised equipment (depending on the Award, see details below)
• Business and professional development including on-site coaching, workshops and seminars
• Networking, selling and promotional opportunities, including our twice-yearly Open Studios
• Membership in a thriving creative community

Deadline to apply: Tuesday 1 April at 6 PM

As part of our spring intake, we are pleased to announce four brand-new Cockpit Awards.

The ALMAW Award is a new initiative offering an opportunity for makers specializing in wood or textiles. Created in honour of Alan White (1939-2022), this award will provide studio space and business support for one year.

We have also partnered with the Worshipful Company of Arts Scholars on a new bursary, the Arts Scholars Charitable Trust Bursary. This one-year opportunity is for individuals working across any discipline in the decorative arts at a key early stage of their business and provides studio space and business support.

The D’Oyly Carte Award is one-year opportunity for makers working in any craft discipline. Aimed at dismantling barriers in craft practice, the award is specifically designed to support people from backgrounds underrepresented in craft and to safeguard heritage skills.

The new Weavers’ Award is a one-year award designed to support weave makers working with all textiles. Whether you’re looking to expand your skills or establish your business, this award provides studio space and support for makers at any stage of their creative practice.

For makers working with textiles, there are four additional opportunities to apply for this spring.

The Broderers’ Award provides one year of business support and subsidised studio space at Cockpit for a maker skilled in hand embroidery looking to grow their practice in a business setting. Open to embroidery makers at any stage of their career, this award supports those committed to developing, preserving and passing on their craft. Past awardees include Claire de Waard.

The Clothworkers’ Award provides weavers who have graduated within the last five years with the resource they need to launch their own business. The award includes up to two years of business guidance, a shared studio space in Deptford and access to shared looms for four successful applicants. Past awardees include Ruby Smith, Leonie Edmead and Megan Leech.

For makers using dyes or colourants in the course of their work, the Dyers’ Company Award provides space and time to develop their business. Past awardees include Kathryn Tomasetti and Rebecca Penrice.

The Haberdashers’ Award is for makers working in knit who are looking to start up and develop their own business. The award includes studio space and business support for two makers. Past awardees include Nicci James, Saffy McNamara and Kemi Ajose.

Also open for applications this spring is the Leathersellers’ Award, which supports makers working in leather who are looking to take their business to the next level. The Award includes up to three years of business support and the use of the Leather Hub at Cockpit Deptford for two successful applicants. Past awardees include Ana Del Rio, Ella Boucht and Jessie White.

And finally, the Make It Award will provide support to three London-based makers under the age of 26 who are looking to launch their own craft-based business. This two-year Award provides studio space, business support and workshops. Past Awardees include Chloé Rochefort, Lois Lo and Oliver Snelling.

For more details and to apply, click here.

Applications close Tuesday 1 April at 6 pm.

Cockpit’s Commitment to Diversity in Craft

We are committed to supporting a more diverse and inclusive craft sector and encourage applications from makers/businesses from marginalised backgrounds. If you face financial or systemic challenges in accessing opportunities, you may be eligible to apply through the Guaranteed Interview Scheme (GIS).

For more information on this scheme, visit our FAQs page.