Since 2022, Craft Scotland has been entrusted with stewardship of the esteemed Inches Carr Craft Bursaries. Learn more about the history of the bursaries including Deirdre Inches and her husband Malcolm Carr whom the awards were established to commemorate. You can also discover the impact they have had on makers' practice in our article by Amanda Game.

There are two types of Bursary available: Emerging Maker (less than 5 years of practice) and Established Maker (over 5 years of practice). 

About the Emerging Maker Bursary

The Inches Carr Craft Bursary: Emerging Maker focuses on makers who are looking to continue advancement in the field of contemporary craft.

Activity may include:

• Innovative investigation of processes and materials
• Exploration of aspects of developing a sustainable practice
• Development of work with the potential for commercial application
• An apprenticeship or mentoring arrangement
• Further learning in the field of contemporary craft (not including formal college or university diploma or degree courses)

Please note this is not an exhaustive list. We are keen to hear from you about areas you have identified for your development. Any of these activities may be undertaken in the UK or abroad.

There will be up to eight bursaries awarded in 2024. Each Emerging Maker Bursary is for an amount of £2,000.

Emerging makers are defined as those living and working in Scotland, who have been practicing professionally for less than five years.

Application Pack & Guidance 

Full information about the programme, maker profile, and eligibility is available in the Application Pack & Guidance. We recommend reading through the information provided before applying. 

>>> Download the Application Pack & Guidance (Opens PDF)

Alternative formats: Application Pack & Guidance 

• Download a simplified version for screen readers (Downloads a Word document)
• Download a large font (24pt) version (Downloads a Word document)

Who should apply?

The Emerging Maker Bursaries are open to professional, practicing makers working in Scotland who have been in business less than five years. You should be producing one-off pieces or small batch production of handmade objects. You may be:

• A self-taught maker or one who has come to the profession via informal education routes (community education, evening classes etc.)
• A recent graduate (of any discipline) newly entering the craft sector
• A maker moving into a craft profession later in life, or as a second career
• A maker who is now looking for ways to develop a new or relatively new craft business

For the Inches Carr Craft Bursaries, we are looking for Scotland-based makers who produce works of contemporary craft and:

• Can demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of materials, excellence in making (process and skill), and an artistic vision
• Work within the craft disciplines that Craft Scotland support.
   

How to apply

Applicants should apply through the Craft Scotland online application form.

Equal Opportunities & Access

We are committed to equality and opposed to all forms of unfair discrimination. We welcome applications from those underrepresented 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
• Experience of being carers
•  Are Gaelic or Scots speakers or do not speak English as a primary language
• Live in geographic locations which may inhibit opportunities for engagement

We welcome applications from candidates from all backgrounds. Craft Scotland can provide additional support to makers who identify in the above categories. The type of support required will be agreed with the bursary recipient.

Support with your application including Scribing

Please do get in touch, if you are interested in this opportunity but feel there are barriers limiting your ability to apply and/or participate in the informal discussion element. Examples include, but are not limited to: 

• Accessibility  
• Travel  
• Slow internet  

This application form is available in large and word formats, and we are happy to accept video applications.

Please get in touch if you require any assistance (such as scribing) to complete your application or to attend an interview. Contact us before Tuesday, April 16 2024, to allow us to assist you in advance of the closing date.

We are happy to answer any questions you might have about your application.

Contact the team then via email programmes@craftscotland.org or phone 0131 357 3288.
 

Deadline for application is 5pm, Tuesday 7 May 2024

Applicants are to be notified of the outcome of their application in early June 2024.