QEST - Supporting Excellence in British Craftsmanship
Our Mission
QEST is a charity that transforms the careers of talented and aspiring makers by funding training and education, creating pathways to excellence, and strengthening the future of the UK’s craft sector.
Investing in talent
Since 1990 QEST has awarded £7 million to almost 900 craftspeople working across the UK in 130 different craft disciplines. Almost 90% are still practising their craft today and many are recognised leaders in their field.
celebrating Diversity
We celebrate diversity in all its forms and welcome applications from talented craftspeople across the UK regardless of socio-economic background, age, race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, nationality or disability.
Sustaining skills
We are proud that 65% of QEST alumni are currently teaching or training future craftspeople and passing on their skills. There is a constant focus on excellence in their work, and they demonstrate a strong commitment to the UK craft industry.
Supporting education
Education comes in many different forms and as such we welcome applications for funding traditional college courses, vocational training, apprenticeships, one-to-one training with master craftsmen and more.
QEST Scholarships, Emerging Maker Grants & Apprenticeships
QEST grants support makers and conservators at various career stages, strengthening the pipeline of talented craft professionals in the UK. With the ambition to sustain vital skills in traditional and contemporary crafts, we provide funding for training and education. Applications are open twice a year.
building arts programme
A collaboration between The King’s Foundation and QEST, this 6-month programme is aimed at students or practitioners who have at least three years' experience in practicing their craft to explore the multifaceted nature of the built environment.
This Programme is applicable to people who work in industries such as architecture, design, carpentry, metalwork, painting and stonemasonry.
DIRECTORY
Our directory of alumni has details of QEST Scholars, Emerging Makers and Apprentices working in a broad range of crafts. Whether you are an interior designer researching a project, a craft lover looking to commission work or a maker looking to collaborate, we are sure you will find creative inspiration here.
HOW TO SUPPORT
There are many ways to support the work of QEST from donations to sponsorship or collaborations with our scholars and apprentices.
Winch Design appreciate that the success of their projects is wholly reliant on not just the skill of their talented design teams, but also on the dedication and skill of the craftspeople and artisans who bring their projects to life. They are committed to supporting British craft and in 2020 sponsored their first QEST Scholar, Max Bainbridge. In order to expose their whole team to craft and the work of QEST, they organised an away day at which nine QEST Scholars ran workshops for their staff, ranging from stone letter carving and ceramics, to sculpture, stained glass and leatherwork.
Banner image (guitar) © Asia Werbel for the John Smedley 235 campaign