The Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust (QEST) makes awards ranging up to £15,000 to craftsmen and women of all ages to help them further their careers.
Since 1991 the Trust has awarded £1.4 million to 242 craftspeople aged between 17 and 50 plus for study, training and work experience.
QEST, the charitable arm of the Royal Warrant Holders Association, was established in 1990 to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Association and the 90th birthday of Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother. The Trustees look for well thought out projects, which will contribute to the pool of talent in the UK and reflect the excellence of British Craftsmanship as symbolised by the Royal Warrant of Appointment.
Click here to view a short film featuring QEST’s unrivalled success.
Meet the latest scholarship winners > here
Crafts have a vital part to play in our country and economy.
They contribute £3 billion to the UK economy and represent 13% of those employed in the UK’s creative industries.
For 21 years now QEST has been funding talented craftsmen and women to extend their skills or learn new ones! Often they cannot obtain any help whatsoever and because of this many skills are starting to disappear.
To date, with help from our many supporters, we have funded 230 scholars to the tune of 1.6 million pounds in total. The QEST scholars have gone onto carry out many important projects in many fields. Take a look at the rest of this website and you will see the extent of the crafts, skills and projects undertaken.
Britain is a country that cherishes its heritage and enjoys beautifully made functional artefacts. For this reason craft and conservation skills are core to our national infrastructure.
QEST is the only charity of its kind that supports all craft and conservation skills, by keeping them alive through learning and support, which in turn is passed down through further generations.
We have realised that, although what we do is crucial, we are only just scratching the surface. For this reason QEST's aim is to double the number or scholarships we give annually and enable us to provide the additional services of mentoring and longer term work placements. For these reasons we will need some £2 million in extra funds.
This where you can help and have some fun as well.
Below are some ideas:
QEST would welcome the chance to discuss innovative win-win fundraising ideas. Please contact Victoria Churchward at QEST on 0207 828 2268 or email info@qest.org.uk
We look forward to working together – many thanks from the QEST Team
To fund further study, training and practical experience for craftsmen and women who want to improve their craft and trade skills. Scholarships are not awarded for buying or leasing equipment or premises nor for setting up a business.
Between £1,000 and £15,000. The size of each award depends on how much funding is needed for a project. Scholarship winners also receive an emblazoned certificate.
A huge range of modern and traditional crafts. Scholarship winners have included: an antiques restorer, calligraphers, book conservators, potters, silversmiths, upholsterers and many more.
There is no age limit. But you need to demonstrate you already have a high level of skill and are firmly committed to your craft or trade. You must live and work permanently in the UK to be eligible for a Scholarship. You do not have to be connected with firms or individuals holding Royal Warrants.
Well thought out proposals which will contribute to the excellence of modern and traditional British crafts. On the application form you need to explain clearly why the proposed training will improve your skills and what you expect to achieve as a result. You also need to give a careful estimate of the full cost of the training you would like to undertake.
Scholarships are awarded twice a year. Completed forms for Spring 2012 scholarships must be received by no later than Friday, 20 January 2012.
You can download an application form now:
Microsoft Word 97/8 format 310k (Mac or PC)
Metalsmith
Age: 25
Shelley, a practising silversmith, also works in brass and copper. He has designed and produced his own range of jewellery as well as a series of marine life, including lobsters and swordfish, made entirely from recycled silver cutlery. Winning the QEST Scholarship will enable Shelley to undergo a year as an apprentice at The Copper Works in Newlyn under the tutelage of Michael Johnson.
Textile Artist
Age: 23
Since graduating from her BA at Birmingham Institute of Art and Design, Jess has continued to explore her interest in traditional British hand embroidery techniques. She has found contemporary and innovative applications to highlight her stitching by utilising unusual base materials such as paper, photographs and acrylic. This has resulted in work which crosses the boundaries between craft, design and fine art. Jess will use her scholarship to study for an MA Textiles at the Royal College of Art.
www.jessedwardstextiles.blogspot.com
Easel Painting Conservator
Age: 26
Sarah has completed her second year of study on the Postgraduate Diploma in the Conservation of Easel Paintings at the Courtauld Institute of Art. She has worked on two 18th century paintings, one by David Morrier from the Royal Collection and another by Gilbert Stuart, owned by the National Trust. With the scholarship Sarah will undertake her final year of training in the Conservation of Easel Paintings.
Saddle and Harness Maker
Age: 54
Christopher was Head Concierge at London’s prestigious Browns Hotel for fourteen years before he decided to follow his passion for horses. He spent two years at Capel Manor College studying saddlery. The QEST Scholarship will ensure that he can attend the Saddle Training Centre under Mark Romain to acquire additional knowledge in harness and collar making and attend a course at the MacGregor and Michael Leathercourse in Tetbury to gain a better understanding of leather restoration.
Illustrator
Age: 31
Catrin already has a substantial body of work that highlights her research investigating the relationship between image making and deception. Her book, entitled Phantom Settlements was published by Ditto Press in May 2011. Winning a Queen Elizabeth Scholarship will enable Catrin to gain a PhD by practice in the Visual Communications department at the Royal College of Art.
www.catrinmorgan.co.uk
Stonemason and Sculptor
Age: 29
Tom has been working as a qualified stonemason and sculpture/architectural conservator in stone and metal for the past six years. Some of his recent work has included carving a replacement stone hand for the 19th century sculpture of Prince Edward on Fleet Street, cleaning and restoring the 16th century Kings Table in Westminster Hall and restoring the exterior of the Buxton Memorial Fountain in Westminster. The scholarship will enable Tom to study for a Postgraduate Diploma in Stone Carving at the City and Guilds of London Art School in Kennington.
www.tomjnicholls.com
Artisanal Wallpaper Designer Maker
Age: 40
Cameron worked as an art director in London’s leading advertising agencies for more than a decade. He has spent the past two years researching and studying hand-blocked wallpaper. Winning a QEST Scholarship will enable Cameron to work one-to-one with the acknowledged lino-cutter, Marthe Armitage and thus expand his own designs, gain greater experience in cutting the blocks in relief and intaglio and hone the professional skills required.
Silversmith and Jeweller
Age: 22
Hazel has developed mixed metal processes for constructing and casting vessels. She has received accolades from the Company of Goldsmiths, including Technological Innovation, for both these areas of her work. Winning a QEST Scholarship will allow Hazel to study for a MA in Jewellery and Silversmithing at the Edinburgh College of Art and ensure that she can bring together these two elements; producing work that is pioneering and founded in traditional skills.
www.hazelthorn.co.uk
If you are planning to visit one of the exhibitions mentioned, please check with the organisers for opening times and any changes to dates.
QEST produces a newsletter, Excel, with details of the latest craftspeople to receive awards plus news from past Scholars. Excel comes out in January and July and will appear on this site as soon as it is published.
Journalists and crafts-related organisations wishing to receive a hard copy of the newsletter should email their details to qest@rwha.co.uk
Download a pdf file of the
Summer 2011 issue of Excel
Download a pdf file of the
Spring 2011 issue of Excel
To open these files you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader. You may need to click here to download this free software to view it.
A short film has been made demonstrating the determined passion of those that have received QEST funding and illustrating the economic benefits of the craft industry to Britain. Through three case studies and an endorsement of QEST by HRH The Prince of Wales it sets out how vital the skills sets of craftsmen and women are to the United Kingdom and why businesses might like to support QEST in the future.
Produced by Serge Films, it can now be viewed by clicking here.
Martin Haswell (1999) received his scholarship to learn more about digital photography. This was at a time when photography still relied on film, light meters and were dependent on the results of the dark room. Martin took a photograph of Buckingham Palace enroute to his interview with the Trustees and showed the image on his laptop. Ten years ago, it was almost sci-fi, whilst today every mobile phone has a camera. Martin has continued to develop his successful career and as well as special commissions he does work for the media.
A year ago, whilst attending a birthday celebration Martin heard of Gail McGarva’s desire to build a Lerret by eye. He encouraged her to apply for a QEST Scholarship and so it was fitting that he should have been at Littlesea’s launch at Lyme Regis and to take photographs of the day, as the new wooden boat was escorted out of the harbour by two gigs, built by Gail and the RNLI lifeboat.
Hannah Griffiths (2009) recently completed a commission for The Department of Computer Science at UCL. The mosaic illustrated the growth and evolution of the Internet. These models reveal the scaling characteristics of networks, and can help scientists evaluate how new network algorithms and architectures will perform. This mosaic which looks like the head of a dandelion is based on a map of the Internet generated by algorithms from computer scientists at UC San Diego in 2007. This map features Internet nodes – the dots – and linkages – the lines. It is a randomly generated graph that retains the essential interconnectivity characteristics of a specific corner of the Internet but doubles the number of nodes.
www.hannahgriffithsmosaics.com
If you are planning to visit one of the exhibitions mentioned, please check with the organisers for opening times and any changes to dates.
Princes Foundation – www.princes-foundation.org
Princes Trust – www.princes-trust.org.uk
The Walpole Group – www.thewalpole.co.uk
Building Crafts College – www.thebcc.ac.uk
City and Guilds – www.city-and-guilds.co.uk
City and Guilds Art School – www.cityandguildsartschool.ac.uk
Courtauld Institute – www.courtauld.ac.uk
The Royal School of Needlework – www.royal-needlework.org.uk
University of the Arts London – www.arts.ac.uk
West Dean College – www.westdean.org.uk
Institute of Historic Building Conservation – www.ihbc.org.uk
Icon (The Institute of Conservation) – www.icon.org.uk
Art in Action – www.artinaction.org.uk
Crafts Council – www.craftscouncil.org.uk
Crafts Scotland – www.craftscotland.org.uk
Craft Northern Ireland – www.craftni.org
Creative and Cultural Skills – www.cciskills.org.uk
Learning & Skills Council – www.lsc.gov.uk
Society of Designer Craftsmen – www.societyofdesignercraftsmen.org.uk
UK Skills – www.ukskills.org.uk
Art in Action – www.artinaction.org.uk
The Art Fund – www.artfund.org
English Heritage – www.english-heritage.org.uk
The Heritage Crafts Association – www.heritagecrafts.org.uk
Heritage Link – www.heritagelink.org.uk
Historic Houses Association – www.hha.org.uk
National Trust – www.nationaltrust.org.uk
National Trust for Scotland – www.nts.org.uk
NADFAS – www.nadfas.org.uk
RIBA - www.riba.org/go/RIBA/Home.html
SPAB – www.spab.org.uk
a-n Magazine – www.a-n.co.uk
Crafts – www.craftscouncil.org.uk/crafts-magazine
Craft & Design– www.craftanddesign.net
Royal Warrant Holders Association – www.royalwarrant.org
Please note: QEST is not responsible for the contents or reliability of these external websites and listing shall not be taken as endorsement of any kind. QEST cannot guarantee that these links will work all the time and we have no control over availability of the linked pages.
The Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust
No 1 Buckingham Place
London SW1E 6HR
T: 020 7828 2268
T: 01442 875267
Return to QEST website home page
Registered Charity No. 802557