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BIENNIAL GRANTS
Who may apply
Weavers living and working in the United Kingdom may apply. Whilst the Trust may fund some specialist weaving courses formal under-graduate and post-graduate studies will not be funded. Applicants need to have at least two and a half years working experience of their weaving independent of higher education (including post graduate courses) before applying. Applicants must be able to supply images of work done in the last two years.
Criteria
Trustees make grants of between £500 and £5000 to enable weavers to:
purchase special equipment to pursue their craft in a creative manner.
enjoy a sabbatical period to reassess the creative nature of their work.
undertake a specific project or projects in furtherance of their craft which might not normally be possible.
develop the craft in any other way in which the Trustees, at their absolute discretion, think fit.
Click here to see grants that have been made in previous years.
When to apply
Grants are awarded biennially. The closing date for the next application is 5pm on 1st February 2026.
Applications received after this date will not be considered.
Selection date: TBC.
Interview date: Will be in person (date TBC) at The Engine Shed, Station Approach, Redcliffe, Bristol BS1 6QH (adjacent to Bristol Temple Meads Train Station). If invited - you must attend the interview to be eligible for an Award.
How to apply
Please read the supplementary Guidance before starting your application. Complete the application form and send it with five jpeg images of your work by electronic transfer to the administrator. (The quality of your images is vital to the success of your application.) The application form is available to download below as a word document which can be filled in before sending with the images.
Download Supplementary Guidance for Applicants.
Download word document application form.
What will happen next
The trustees will meet to select a shortlist of applicants for interview in Bristol for which five pieces of work will be requested. The interviewee should be prepared to speak about one piece in more detail. Those invited to attend an interview will be informed the day following selection. Applicants must be available in person for interview if invited. Selection and interview dates will be put on this website as soon as they are available. Successful interviewees will be notified the day after the interviews.
The Trust will require a short report after six months and a final report after 12 months.
Along with the final report successful applicants will be asked to provide a summary report and an image to be included in The Journal for Weavers, Spinners and Dyers. The Trust will assume that successful applicants are happy for images of their work to be used in the Journal, on this website or for general publicity purposes unless told otherwise.
The decision of the Trustees is final in all matters.