Inches Carr Craft Development Award Frequently Asked Questions

With one week left until the submission deadline on 25th April, we have pulled together a list of frequently asked questions for anyone interested in applying.

What is the Inches Carr Craft Development Award?

The Inches Carr Trust was set up to create a legacy in memory of Deirdre Inches and Malcolm Carr to reflect their passion for craft and decorative arts, and to provide bursaries for Scotland based makers, to develop their practice to a higher level and consider new materials or techniques. Following the winding down of the Trust in 2022, part of the custodianship of the Trust passed to Visual Arts Scotland.

The bursary recognises talent within craft and making practices, it is a yearlong bursary, which includes a £5000 award to the recipient, to expand their current practice plus a further £2000 for a mentor or training opportunity. Further details of what the award may be used for can be found on the call out document on our website www.visualartsscotland.org

Who can apply?

This award is for makers, applied artists, designer makers and crafts people who are looking to develop their practice and create a new body of work. Applicants must have been living in Scotland for four or more years and have graduated at least four years prior to applying. The award is open to anyone who feels they meet the criteria, including those who have had a career break or return to practice. You must be a VAS member to apply and remain a VAS member for the duration of the programme if you are selected. If you are not currently a VAS member, as long as you join prior to the submission deadline you will still be eligible.

What creative practice is eligible?

The award is for craft development, and applies to makers, designer makers and crafts people, all disciplines within this are considered such as ceramics, glass, textiles, jewellery, furniture and gold and silversmithing; this is the remit set by the Inches Carr Trust. We understand that creative practice is not always binary and that many people have practices which do not sit solely within these boxes and can be multi-disciplinary, so whilst painting and printmaking would not be eligible, if you have a practice which uses materials or processes that are traditionally considered within the realm of craft and applied arts such as ceramics or glass, this could also be considered. Your work does not have to be ‘functional’.

What do I need to put in my application?

You will need to send in a single PDF which includes an artist statement, up to seven images of work, a statement of intent, CV, any preliminary research images that will support your application, and any details of mentoring and training opportunities. You will also need to answer what impact you feel the award will have on your practice. We can only accept PDFs as a written application, if you have access needs and would like to apply in a different way or need support, please contact Amanda Airey, development@visualartsscotland.org.

Do I need to have already identified a mentor/training opportunity?

You do not have to have the mentor/ training opportunity confirmed at application stage, but the application will need to include ideas you have about the type of mentoring or training you would like. VAS can help support the final awardee in arranging with this if required.

What is the selection process?

A shortlist of up to 15 applicants will be selected by members of the Visual Arts Scotland team, which will include members with craft and making specialisms, and all applicants will be scored and assessed by the same criteria, in accordance with our equalities, diversity and inclusion policy.

There will be a final shortlist of up to 5 makers selected during the shortlist showcase in July 2025. This will include members of the VAS team as well as industry professionals. The industry professionals will be determined dependent on the work that is shortlisted, i.e. if there is a work from particular disciplines such as jewellery or textiles, we will endeavour to ensure we have representation from those disciplines on the final selection panel. The final recipient will be selected from the final shortlist of 5 and announced during the exhibition.

When is the deadline?

The deadline is 25th April 2025 at 5pm.

What happens if I am shortlisted?

If you are shortlisted, you will be invited to exhibit at the shortlist showcase exhibition at the beginning of July in Dundas Street, Edinburgh. We will also profile all shortlisted practitioners via our social media channels. Each of the final five shortlisted practitioners will receive a £250 bursary.

If I am selected as the final recipient what happens during the year of the award?

The final recipient will have a dedicated contact from the VAS team for regular check ins to help support you through the year. At the completion of the year the awardee will be required to provide a short feedback and progress report. They will also be exhibited at a subsequent major VAS annual exhibition.

What if my question has not been answered, or I am still unsure if I am eligible to apply?

If you are still unsure about any elements of the award, you can contact Amanda Airey, development@visualartsscotland.org and she will be happy to discuss this with you.