Join the next cohort of Craft Scotland's COMPASS programme for emerging craft curators.
Following the success of our pilot COMPASS: Emerging Curator Programme 2023-24, Craft Scotland is delighted to launch the new round of our learning and development programme for curators this April.
Led by curator, educator and maker Katy West, the programme will provide the cohort with practical workshops, support and the space for critical thinking/discussion alongside a funded research trip to London Craft Week.
We’re looking for up to four participants who have some experience in curating and are interested in contemporary craft. It is open to all ages and previous experience could include craft-focused exhibitions and events, selling events, retail displays, written text and publications, panel talks and reading groups, or multimedia/digital projects.
>>> Further information below and in the Application Pack
>>> Apply through the Online Application Form
Deadline for applications: Monday 2 March 2026 at 12 noon
Background
Craft Scotland’s COMPASS: Emerging Curator Programme is a further strand of COMPASS developed specifically for craft curators.
Curators play a key role in sustaining and innovating Scotland’s ecosystem for contemporary craft, however, there has been little infrastructure to support their professional development to date.
Following the ‘Sustaining Curatorial Careers Research’ report by Dr Stacey Hunter for Craft Scotland in 2022, Craft Scotland developed a new strand of COMPASS, our learning and development programme, specifically for craft curators.
The COMPASS: Emerging Curator Programme aims to address the gaps in infrastructure highlighted by the report and provide a development programme to support emerging curators at the early stages of their creative practice.
The programme will run between April 2026 and April 2027, and is aimed at professional practising curators in the early stages of their craft career, who have between one and five years of relevant experience.
Also available:
Programme outline
The COMPASS: Emerging Curator Programme focuses on equipping independent curators with the skills they need to create a successful creative and business practice.
The programme takes a practical approach to nurturing curators through the early stages of their career as a cohort. The programme involves online and in-person networking and professional development sessions, a research trip to London Craft Week 2026 and connections with established curators and creative industry experts across Scotland.
We have up to four places available for a cohort of curators to work supportively together through the programme.
Participants will benefit from working alongside the Curatorial Programme Lead, Katy West who will share their knowledge and industry expertise, as well as accompanying the group to London. Katy is an independent curator and ceramicist and is a lecturer at Glasgow School of Art.
Places on the programme are subsidised by Craft Scotland allowing you to access affordable specialist training in Scotland.
Online and in-person workshop series
The COMPASS: Emerging Curator Programme has been designed to provide emerging curators with the building blocks to develop their curatorial practice.
The series of workshops will cover areas such as creating a compelling proposal, critical curating theory, fundraising and budgets, marketing and PR, and embedding Sustainability and Equality, Diversity and Inclusion into craft curatorial projects.
The delivery of these sessions will combine online workshops and in-person site visits. Led by knowledgeable workshop leaders who understand the day to day of being a curator, participants will be guided through the fundamentals of developing a curatorial practice.
Research trip
Early in the programme the cohort will visit London Craft Week to immerse the group in a range of contemporary craft curated events and activities.
The cohort will attend a planned programme of meetings, networking events, talks and studio and exhibition visits over three days. The trip will be an opportunity to meet craft curators based in the UK and internationally and research a wide variety of contemporary craft activity.
Travel dates to be confirmed, London Craft Week runs 11-17 May 2026.
End of programme exhibition
To enable the cohort to bring together their learning and further extend the legacy of the programme, Craft Scotland will support participants to curate an end of project public exhibition.
This public outcome will take place in April 2027 and will enable the curators to realise further research on completion of the programme. All participants will work collaboratively on the exhibition and have access to a small budget to realise their idea.
Who should apply?
We are looking for independent professional, practicing curators who are living within Scotland and who have been establishing their careers for between one and five years.
You may be:
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A self-taught practitioner or one who has come to curating via informal educational routes (community education, online learning, evening classes etc.).
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A recent graduate (of any subject/discipline) newly entering the craft sector.
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A practitioner moving into curation later in life, as a second career or returning after a break.
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A curator who is now looking for ways to develop a new or relatively new career.
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A curator who is returning to curating after a break.
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A craft professional, producer or maker who has a curatorial element to their practice.
We are looking for creative practitioners who:
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Have experience of curating (or working on) displays, shows or exhibitions showcasing contemporary craft.
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Demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of craft, current themes and trends within craft, and an independent artistic vision.
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Are committed to embedding best practice in terms of Fair Pay, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and Sustainability/Climate Action.
We are particularly interested in creative practitioners who would like to develop their curatorial practice and can demonstrate they have the potential, drive and ambition to do so.
Equal opportunities and access
Craft is culturally significant, essential to our economy and meaningful to our communities. Craft Scotland believes that everyone should have the opportunity to see, enjoy, learn about and participate in craft.
We are committed to equality and opposed to all forms of unfair discrimination.
We welcome applications from those who are under-represented in the craft sector; including those who may be:
• Black, Asian, Mixed Heritage and/or a Person of Colour
• Have experience of displacement, such as refugees and asylum seekers
• Come from a disadvantaged socio-economic background
• Identify as d/Deaf or living with a disability
• Identify as neurodivergent
• Identify as LGBTQIA+
• Have grown up in the care system
• Are currently a carer. A carer is defined as a person who provides unpaid care and support to a family member, friend or neighbour who is disabled, has an illness or long-term condition, or who needs extra help as they grow older
• Are Gaelic or Scots speakers, or do not speak English as a primary language
• Live in geographic locations which may inhibit opportunities for engagement
Dedicated place for under-represented curators
We have one fully subsidised, dedicated place on COMPASS: Emerging Curator Programme for curators with lived experience of the above categories.
This dedicated COMPASS place has been created because we know that specific groups are systematically under-supported in the craft sector. Through the COMPASS programme we will support under-represented communities to achieve their creative and business ambitions, providing access to networks, mentoring, training, and learning and development opportunities.
Support with your application
This application pack is available in large print and simplified word formats, and we are happy to accept video submissions in lieu of written submissions. We can also offer Scribing.
Please contact us before Monday 23 February 2026 to allow us time to assist you in advance of the closing date.
If you are interested in this opportunity but feel there are some barriers to participation, please do get in touch and we would be happy to discuss what support could be available.
You can contact Ilaria Casini, Learning Manager at Craft Scotland, via email at ilaria@craftscotland.org
Craft Scotland will host an online Open Information Session to answer any questions about the application process on Monday 2 February 2026 at 18.00. Please book your free ticket here and you will receive the Zoom link to participate.
Eligibility criteria
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Applicants must be living and working in Scotland.*
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Applicants should be able to demonstrate evidence of curatorial work (paid or voluntary); you may be part of a partnership or collective. Please include relevant information on the CV and images provided in your application form.
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Applicants should be working with or have a demonstrable interested in contemporary craft, which should include the disciplines Craft Scotland support.
*We may consider applications from people based elsewhere in the United Kingdom who have a demonstrable and specific interest in contemporary craft in Scotland. Please contact us to discuss this before applying.
Selection process
Selection for COMPASS: Emerging Curator Programme will be based upon the following criteria:
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Evidence of an aspiration to develop a sustainable curatorial practice.
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Demonstration of an interest in contemporary craft.
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Demonstration of ambition and commitment to the programme.
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Availability for the time commitment as detailed in the Key Dates section.
Shortlisted applicants will be invited to an informal online interview which will be conducted by members of the Craft Scotland team, and the Curatorial Programme Lead.
All applicants will be notified regarding the outcome of their application by the deadline of Monday 16 March 2026.
>> Please download the Application Pack for full information about the programme
Deadline for applications is 12 noon, Monday 2 March 2026.
