The Heritage Crafts Awards are now open with six brand new awards for 2023. The Awards, which have been running since 2012, celebrate and highlight the traditional living crafts that contribute to British heritage.
New Awards this year include a new Lifetime Achievement Award supported by the Marsh Christian Trust, to recognise a heritage craftsperson who has demonstrated an outstanding contribution to their specific craft over 25 years or more. The Award celebrates a lifetime’s dedication to a particular traditional skill, resulting in a practitioner operating at the highest level, having made a significant impact on the continued high-esteem in which their craft is held.
Heritage Crafts aims to ensure that traditional craft skills are passed to the next generation. For this to become a reality it is vital to celebrate the young people who are embracing craft skills today, already demonstrating excellence and becoming the role models of the future. Therefore we are announcing five new awards for young people 25 and under focusing on woodworking (sponsored by Axminster Tools), upholstery (sponsored by Sonnaz Ltd), weaving (sponsored by Rose Uniacke), basketmaking (sponsored by Sims Hilditch) and metalworking (sponsored by Lucy and Laurence Butcher). We are grateful to all of our sponsors and supporters.
For those not under 25 there are a range of awards to apply for including Maker of the Year, Trainer of the Year, Trainee of the Year and Volunteer of the Year, as well as the Lifetime Achievement Award. There will also be a non-restricted Woodworker of the Year Award opening in June sponsored by Axminster Tools.
Anyone, including the maker themselves, can nominate for this award. The deadline for applications is 5pm on Friday 5 May 2023 and you can find out more about each award, as well as how to apply, at awards.heritagecrafts.org.uk. The award winners will be announced at a high-profile Winners’ Reception at Vicar’s Hall, Windsor Castle, on 15 November 2023.
List of awards open until 5 May 2023:
- Maker of the Year supported by the Marsh Charitable Trust
- Trainer of the Year supported by the Marsh Charitable Trust
- Trainee of the Year supported by the Marsh Charitable Trust
- Volunteer of the Year supported by the Marsh Charitable Trust
- Lifetime Achievement Award supported by the Marsh Charitable Trust
- Young Woodworker of the Year sponsored by Axminster Tools
- Young Upholsterer of the Year sponsored by Sonnaz Ltd
- Young Weaver of the Year sponsored by Rose Uniacke
- Young Basketmaker of the Year sponsored by Sims Hilditch
- Young Metalworker of the Year sponsored by Lucy and Laurence Butcher
