Awards and bursaries

Clothworkers’ Award

Open for applications

Applications close: 15th April 2026

Sponsor

About the Clothworkers’ Award

This Award assists makers working in weave to start up and develop in business, by providing studio space and business support. Weavers can be working in any form: for example, making products, creating woven textile art, working with mills, and/or providing weave services such as consultancy or making samples for industry.

The Clothworkers’ Award includes up to two years of business support and subsidised shared studio space at Cockpit Studios Deptford, equipped with Leclerc, Louet, and ARM looms and a dye area.

Whilst we support makers who manufacture or outsource all or part of their production process, applicants must have technical knowledge of weaving and the skills to manage their own weaving processes independently. The Weaving Hub has a hub manager responsible for maintenance of equipment, but there is no dedicated technician on site, and successful Awardees should be confident in managing the technical aspects of their work themselves. Use of the onsite equipment must be integral to the case for support.

Please note that the dye area is limited in capacity and consists of a small kitchen-style space within one of the two shared weave studios. It is intended for sample dyeing and small-scale colour work and is not suitable for large batches of dyeing or workshop-scale dye production.

What's Included?

Subsidised shared studio space for up to two years at Cockpit Deptford, with an anticipated start date between July and September 2026

Shared looms and dye area, including Leclerc, Louet, and electronic ARM looms

Business support including one-to-one coaching and workshops

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

Financial contribution required by makers:

– £1,000 (approx. £85 per month) in the 1st year

– £2,000 (approx. £168 per month) in the 2nd year

Who Can Apply?

This Award is offered to three makers, with an anticipated start date between July and September 2026.

This Award is offered to makers working in weave who have graduated within the last five years.

Makers with demonstrable technical weaving skills and knowledge, able to undertake and manage their own technical processes.

Please note: Applicants may apply for only one Award or Bursary per round. If you are unsure which opportunity is most suitable for your practice, please contact Kanny Morgan, Awards & Admissions Coordinator, at kanny@cockpitstudios.org.

About the Clothworkers’ Company

Founded by Royal Charter in 1528, the original purpose of The Clothworkers’ Company was to protect its members and promote the craft of cloth-finishing within the City of London. 

The Company values their past and traditions but seek to build upon their heritage and find ways for the Company to have a useful and relevant role in today’s society.

Although few of the Company’s present members are involved in the textile industry in any direct way, the Company continues to support textiles, principally through educational grants, fostering the development of technical textiles and colour science, and support for the nation’s textile heritage. 

How to Apply

Interviews for the Clothworkers’ Award will be held on 12 May 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.

About Awards & Bursaries at Cockpit

We encourage prospective applicants to attend an Awards Open Day to visit the studios, meet the Cockpit team, and find out more about our awards and bursaries. Attending is not essential to apply but can be a helpful way to understand whether Cockpit is the right environment for your practice. Book a place at our next Awards Open Day here. Booking is required and places are limited.

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

Please note:

You will be responsible for arranging and paying for your own public liability insurance (minimum £5m) and contents insurance before the start date.
You need to be entitled to remain in the UK for the period of the Award. Cockpit is unable to sponsor or support visa applications.

You must be committed to taking up the Award and staying for its duration, completing our Business Incubation programme for new joiners, as well as engaging with business support throughout your time at Cockpit.

We may review your commitment to the Award annually by an interview process.

At the end of your award period, you will be able to make an application and interview for a standard studio to stay on at Cockpit.

Apply now

Current awardees: Carolina Estrada, Leonie Edmead, Megan Leech, Nowshin Prenon, Ruby Smith

Past awardees: Alice Timmis, Ashley Jess Knight, Deb King, Majeda Clarke

FAQ