Rosy James Memorial Trust Awards

30 September 2026

Rosemary (Rosy) James died in 2010, having bequeathed over £500,000 to establish an annual bursary in her name to help artists, designers and makers to pursue their careers by developing a new body of work in craft disciplines. 

This unique bursary aims to support craft makers in developing their careers by enabling them to create a new body of work that would otherwise be unattainable without funding.

This year, the Major Award has increased to £20,000, and we have also introduced three Emerging Maker Awards worth £5,000 each.

The Major Award is aimed at established craftspeople or designer-makers with national or international recognition who are seeking to develop or create ambitious new work. The proposed project should result in a significant creative outcome.

The Emerging Maker Awards are aimed at craft practitioners or designer-makers who are in the early stages of their professional careers within their chosen craft discipline. Applicants should be developing their artistic voice and beginning to establish a reputation and recognition among critics, galleries and other relevant audiences. They will typically have practised professionally for less than five years.

Find out more and apply here.