FAQs
Here are a list of frequently asked questions. If your question is still not answered, please check out the contact us page.General
What is Heritage Crafts in one sentence?
Heritage Crafts is the UK charity set up to celebrate, support and safeguard traditional craft skills, and to facilitate a national conversation about their importance to everyone now and in the future.
What is a heritage craft?
Heritage Crafts defines a heritage craft as a craft that:
- employs manual dexterity and skill at the point of production;
- requires an understanding of traditional materials, design and techniques; and
- has been practised for two or more successive generations.
How do I get an entry added or updated on the crafts list?
Please email Mary at [email protected] with your query about the crafts list.
What is the difference between the crafts list and the Maker Directory?
The crafts list is the research list compiled and updated by Heritage Crafts on all of the heritage crafts in the UK, which is updated alongside the Red List of Endangered Crafts every two years.
The Makers Directory is a Heritage Crafts membership benefit that allows any of the charity’s members to have a profile to showcase their work as a maker.
Where is Heritage Crafts based?
The charity is 100% remote and does not have a bricks-and-mortar office.
Membership
Who can be a member of Heritage Crafts?
Anyone. Heritage Crafts membership is open to all, whether you are a professional craftsperson, an amateur maker, or someone who is craft curious.
Can I become a member if I am international?
Yes. We have members from across the world and are grateful for our international members’ support.
Is Heritage Crafts membership an accreditation for makers?
No. Our membership is a program that provides support to the charity while simultaneously building a community of makers and craft curious people alike who wish to support, engage and learn more about Heritage Crafts.
Should I be an individual member or business member as an independent entrepreneur?
If you run your own business solo, become an individual member. If your business has multiple people who would like to receive membership benefits, then become a business member (up to five people can receive membership digital content).
Grants/Bursaries/Awards
Can I apply for funding more than once?
Yes.
If I volunteer for Heritage Crafts, am I allowed to apply for funding?
Yes.
How long will it take to hear back about my application?
It depends on the funding opportunity and the amount of applicants.
Which funding scheme is right for me?
The Endangered Crafts Fund is for practitioners of at-risk crafts featured on the Red List of Endangered Crafts to overcome an obstacle or undertake a project to make their craft more likely to survive.
Training bursaries are for new entrants or early career craftspeople who are unable to progress because of the cost of training.
Heritage Crafts Awards are for recognition of something you have achieved, and usually come with a cash prize.
Craft inspiration direct to your inbox
Become a Heritage Crafts Fan and receive a free monthly newsletter about craft announcements, events and opportunities.
Subscribe
If you are a precious metalworker working in silver, gold or platinum who has done something to be proud of in the last 12 months, please consider applying for this year’s Precious Metalworker of the Year Award, a partnership between Heritage Crafts and @royalmintuk. Or if you know someone else who might deserve the award, why not nominate them?
There is a £2,000 prize for the winning entry to be presented at a high-profile Winners’ Reception in November. Plus, we will also award a Young Metalworker of the Year Award, chosen from nominees aged 25 years and under, with an additional prize of £1,000 provided by Heritage Crafts Benefactors Lucy and Laurence Butcher.
To apply, complete the nomination form via the linktr.ee in our bio before the deadline of 5pm on Friday 6 September 2024.
📷 2023 winner Sally Morrison @anordain
If you are a potter or ceramicist who has done something to be proud of in the last 12 months, please consider applying for the inaugural Potter of the Year Award, supported by the Maxwell/Hanrahan Foundation. Or if you know someone else who might deserve the award, why not nominate them?
There is a £2,000 prize for the winning entry to be presented at a high-profile Winners’ Reception in November.
To apply, complete the nomination form via the linktr.ee in our bio before the deadline of 5pm on Friday 6 September 2024.
📷 Doug Fitch @fitchandmcandrew by James Hazlewood
Many people are dissuaded from training in endangered heritage crafts because of the cost, and therefore the make-up of the sector is not truly representative of the mix of backgrounds that make up the nation as a whole. This bursary has been set up to help cover or subsidise the cost of training for someone who would otherwise be prevented from pursuing this career path as a result of the cost.
You could be just starting out on your journey in craft or at the point where you want to turn a hobby into a career, or you could already be a maker who is looking to further develop your endangered heritage craft skills.
Applicants will be selected based on the quality of the training provided and the likelihood of continuation and gainful employment. The training will be overseen by relevant tutors or trainers as nominated by the successful candidate and approved by Heritage Crafts assessors. This can include either accredited courses or informal learning identified by the applicant, and the quality of the training will be verified by Heritage Crafts staff before any funding is awarded.
Our training bursary in endangered crafts is supported by @soanebritain and is part of a wider scheme of training bursaries currently available. Find out how to apply via the linktr.ee in our bio. The deadline is 2 August 2024.
📷 @valentine_instruments
FREE GIVEAWAY! (UK residents only)
Did you know that trainers were invented in Bolton, Greater Manchester? We didn’t know until we heard it from @patrickgrantism at our recent event at @ladybridgehighschool in partnership with the North West Comino Consortium. Patrick was wearing a pair of trainers made by @normanwalshuk, who have been manufacturing footwear in the town since 1961.
Patrick explained to the students present how one of the best ways of tackling the human impact on climate change is to be mindful of our purchasing power when buying clothing, to choose things that you know have been sourced responsibly, and, once you have bought them, to make them last. Products that are made by skilled craftspeople will often last a lot longer than those mass-produced using cheap materials… plus, by buying them you are also contributing to the cultural distinctiveness of historic manufacturing centres like Bolton, ensuring that they have a craft future as well as a past.
Walsh have kindly donated a pair of white Tempest Harrier trainers (UK size 8) to one of our lucky followers. The Tempest is a contemporary introduction to the Walsh line-up. Exemplifying the finesse and skill of the Walsh craftsperson, the Tempest exudes sophistication and style, making it a versatile accessory for any wardrobe and occasion (RRP £110).
To enter, simply:
1. Like this post
2. Comment on this post including a friend’s @ tag
3. Follow us (if you don’t already)
A winner will be picked at random from all the qualifying entries on Friday 2 August. Good luck!
If you are a traditional leatherworker who has done something to be proud of in the last 12 months, please consider applying for the inaugural Leatherworker of the Year Award, a partnership between Heritage Crafts and the British Leather Industry Development Trust @leather_uk. Or if you know someone else who might deserve the award, why not nominate them?
There is a £2,000 prize for the winning entry to be presented at a high-profile Winners’ Reception in November. Plus, we will also award a Young Leatherworker of the Year Award, chosen from nominees aged 25 years and under, with an additional prize of £1,000 supported by @theleathersellers.
To apply, complete the nomination form via the linktr.ee in our bio before the deadline of 5pm on Friday 6 September 2024.
📷 Michael Tunnicliffe
Many people in Wales are dissuaded from training in heritage crafts because of the cost, and therefore the make-up of the sector is not truly representative of the mix of backgrounds that make up the nation as a whole. These bursaries have been set up to help cover or subsidise the cost of training for someone who would otherwise be prevented from pursuing this career path as a result of the cost.
You could be just starting out on your journey in craft or at the point where you want to turn a hobby into a career, or you could already be a maker who is looking to further develop your heritage craft skills.
Applicants will be selected based on the quality of the training provided and the likelihood of continuation and gainful employment. The training will be overseen by relevant tutors or trainers as nominated by the successful candidate and approved by Heritage Crafts assessors. This can include either accredited courses or informal learning identified by the applicant, and the quality of the training will be verified by Heritage Crafts staff before any funding is awarded.
Our training bursaries for Wales are supported by the Ashley Family Foundation and are part of a wider scheme of training bursaries currently available. Find out how to apply via the linktr.ee in our bio. The deadline is 2 August 2024.
📷 @scarlettrebecca by @dewitannattlloyd
If you are a fashion textile maker of any type (dressmaking, tailoring, pattern cutting, hat making, millinery, glovemaking, fabric pleating, corset making, etc) who has done something to be proud of in the last 12 months, please consider applying for our inaugural Fashion Textile Maker of the Year Award, a partnership between Heritage Crafts and the @costume_society. Or if you know someone else who might deserve the award, why not nominate them?
There is a £2,000 prize for the winning entry to be presented at a high-profile Winners’ Reception in November. To apply, complete the nomination form via the linktr.ee in our bio before the deadline of 5pm on Friday 6 September 2024.
Many people in East and West Sussex and Brighton and Hove are dissuaded from training in heritage crafts because of the cost, and therefore the make-up of the sector is not truly representative of the mix of backgrounds that make up the counties as a whole. This bursary has been set up to help cover or subsidise the cost of training for someone who would otherwise be prevented from pursuing this career path as a result of the cost.
You could be just starting out on your journey in craft or at the point where you want to turn a hobby into a career, or you could already be a maker who is looking to further develop your heritage craft skills.
Applicants will be selected based on the quality of the training provided and the likelihood of continuation and gainful employment. The training will be overseen by relevant tutors or trainers as nominated by the successful candidate and approved by Heritage Crafts assessors. This can include either accredited courses or informal learning identified by the applicant, and the quality of the training will be verified by Heritage Crafts staff before any funding is awarded.
Our training bursary for Sussex is supported by the @sussexheritagetrust and is part of a wider scheme of training bursaries currently available. Find out how to apply via the linktr.ee in our bio. The deadline is 2 August 2024.
📷 @eddyartist
