Celebrating Craft at the QEST Fundraising Dinner
QEST at the V&A
Summer 2018 QEST Craft Funding
How to ApplyThe Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust (QEST) funds the education of talented and aspiring craftspeople through traditional college courses, apprenticeships or one-on-one training with masters
QEST was established to help support craftspeople of all ages and from all backgrounds, at a critical stage in their careers and thus sustain traditional British craftsmanship.
The charitable arm of the Royal Warrant Holders Association, QEST was established in 1990 to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Association and the 90th birthday of Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother. Since then the Charity has awarded over £3.5 million to 442 craftspeople, aged between 17 and 58, across 130 craft disciplines.
In May 2017 HRH The Prince of Wales became the charity’s Patron with Vice-Patrons The Earl of Snowdon and the Marquess of Salisbury. QEST is honoured by their support and looks forward to continuing to champion excellence in British craftsmanship.
To be accepted as a scholar or apprentice of QEST is much more than receiving financial support for your training.
It means being welcomed into a unique family of craft, where the alumni are as interested in the work that you have achieved as indeed the holders of Royal Warrants of Appointment.
If your application captures the attention of the QEST Trustees and Skills Advisors, you will be invited to attend an interview, where you will be given the opportunity to show samples of your work, highlight what you would like to achieve should you be given the opportunity of funding and display a passion for your chosen craft. Scholars will have already been practising their craft and demonstrate a level of excellence. Apprentices must apply for funding in partnership with their employer or master.
See ‘Supporting QEST’ for more information on how to support us.
We remain truly grateful to our loyal supporters and to the Royal Warrant holders who had the vision to establish QEST and have supported over 400 inspirational artisans achieve their full potential.
