Bursary Awards for 2024, Applications have now closed
The Worshipful Company of Turners Bursaries 2024
In 2024 the Turners’ Company is offering Bursaries to help talented turners develop their skills and to move to a higher level of achievement. Applicants need to present a clear plan of how the award will advance their work and raise the profile of the craft. A total of £12,000 is available.
What are the Turners’ Company Bursaries awarded for?
• To fund research, training and business knowledge to improve your turning and how to market it.
• To purchase specialist equipment, provided it is part of the whole request enabling the turner to continue their work with the skills learned.
• Bursaries are not normally awarded for premises or other business set-up costs.
What are we looking for?
• Well thought out proposals which will develop the applicant’s skill and contribute to the excellence of our craft.
• A clear explanation of how your skills will be enhanced, and what you expect to achieve as a result.
• A reasonably accurate estimate of the cost of your proposals.
Who can apply?
• You must be 16 or over and a UK resident.
• You need to be committed to develop your skills to a higher level within the craft of turning.
• All turners can apply, including those who have received previous awards from the Turners’ Company. Applicants’ work must be well regarded by their peers, hence the need for referees (see below).
The Application
You need to provide
• A short curriculum vitae.
• At least two photographs of turned items made by you, describing how you turned them and the materials you used;
• An outline of your aspirations with a plan of what you want to achieve from a Bursary (new techniques, skills, training, marketing);
• A costed plan showing how you intend to use the Bursary.
• The names and addresses of two referees who should be members of the Turners’ Company, the Register of Professional Turners, the Association of Woodturners of Great Britain, the Society of Ornamental Turners or the Association of Pole Lathe Turners and Green Woodworkers.
The Interview
All applications will be carefully considered and shortlisted applicants will be invited to an interview, in early September 2024. The interviews are usually held in London and reasonable travel expenses will be paid. Or they could be on Zoom.
At the interview you will be asked to make a short presentation in support of your proposal, highlighting what you would achieve with a bursary. You will need to show relevant examples of your work and generally display a passion for the craft. Bursaries take applicants’ skill to a new level, so they will need to show they already have a reasonably advanced level of skill.
The decision of the Bursary Committee is final. More than one bursary may be awarded, or if there is no suitable candidate the award money will be held over.
The Timetable
• Applications must be received by the Turners’ Company Assistant Clerk by Friday 30th August 2024.
• Those invited for interview will be notified early September. Interviews will be in in September, and awards published by end October.
Address for applications, and further information
The Assistant Clerk, The Worshipful Company of Turners,
Saddlers House, 44 Gutter Lane, London, EC2V 6BR
assistantclerk@turnersco.com 0207 236 3605
Quotes from 2022 awardees:
“I was delighted to receive a bursary, the funds towards training have been invaluable along my journey, but it also comes with the support from a mentor and the encouragement of the worshipful company that I ‘m heading in the right direction!” Nathan Savory
“The support I had from the worshipful company was instrumental to the growth of my business. I was able to spend the time making new pole lathes and tools to start teaching. Their continued involvement since has also provided me with a network of knowledge and support when I’ve needed it.” Florence Hamer
“Receiving the bursary significantly boosted my confidence in my abilities as a turner. It also provided me with the opportunity to access specialised training to further develop my skills. Without this support, I would not be where I am today.” Jon Baily
“The bursary from the Worship Company funded me to attend a Woodturning conference where I met lots of other makers. I was able to network, learn new techniques and came away inspired! I’m very grateful for their support.” Nathanael Griffiths
“My bursary award in 2023 was a real boost to me. It helped me to pay for pole lathe tuition from some of the best turners in the UK. And it felt great to feel supported and encouraged by the Worshipful Company of Turners.” Steve De St Croix
“The bursary that I received has built my confidence in doing more intricate design and being able to transfer the skills over to my pupils.” Dennis Wake
“Thanks to the Company of Turners I was able to uncover a vision of what my true potential would be. By experimenting and having the time to play with form and size, I was able to create the structure of my personal aesthetics.” Arturo Soto
