HANDS ON: Creative Business Bursaries

Manchester Craft and Design Centre houses 20 studios in the Northern Quarter (M4 5JD) with a café, exhibition and events space, and supportive staff team. The studios are open to the public, where the community of makers create and sell their work….

“We are a place where people can come and learn about Craft – by visiting our exhibitions, taking part in workshops to learn new skills or buying things from our studios. 

At the moment, our community of makers doesn’t reflect the population of Greater Manchester. To begin to address this, we’ve recently secured funding for three bursaries for diverse makers. We are committed to diversifying MCDC and this project is the beginning of a long-term process of opening up our space to more makers who identify themselves as coming from a background which is under-represented in the arts and cultural sector. We want to break down the barriers to a career in craft, and will work with you to be as flexible as possible to your needs. Bursaries will be awarded to three successful applicants by the end of March 2021.” 

The Bursary Includes: 

• Free Studio Space for 2 months. We have studio space available if you want somewhere to work in or show your work. We will accept applications from makers who choose not to use our studio space. The studio will be accessible Mondays – Saturdays, 10am – 5.30pm   

• A bursary of £1000 for materials or equipment to help you create your work. This will be paid in full at the beginning of the project. 

• A budget for shop fittings if you choose to use the studio space. 

• Access to a mentor to discuss your creative and business development and help identify opportunities for support and progression (eg. funding opportunities or exhibition opportunities) 

• Fortnightly meetings with a maker community to discuss your work and any challenges you’re facing 

• Free Creative Business Development workshops  

• Membership to A-N Network for a year  

• We would like the bursaries to conclude with an exhibition at MCDC, we would take makers through this process step by step and an additional fee would be paid to the makers for their contribution to the exhibition.  

• Free showcase at Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair in October, the North’s leading and award-winning craft fair.  

Please follow the link below to read full details and apply…

Details