Call for Applications Hothouse 2019

Call for Applications: Hothouse 2019 Crafts Council 

Applications are now open for Hothouse, a programme of creative and business development, which provides talented new makers with the tools to grow a sustainable and successful creative business. The deadline for applications is 7 September 2018 and the programme starts in Jaunary 2019.

Hothouse is unique in being a nationally recruiting programme which takes place at a series of leading centres of craft activity around the country, maximising opportunities for you to broaden horizons and build diverse networks. This national outlook is balanced with a personalised approach to learning. The workshop and residential programme is tailored to the needs of its participants as a group, and each individual participant also receives ten hours of 1:1 professional mentoring with a specialist from the sector.

Being part of the programme, offers emerging makers outstanding opportunities to build strong networks. Participants become part of a diverse peer-support network of makers at a similar stage of their career and gain access to the Crafts Council’s national network of industry experts, organisations, speakers and trainers. Status as a ‘Hothouser’  is also a mark of achievement recognised by a number of organisations.

This is a high quality programme that works. In the words of a previous participant:

It was the best thing I could have done at the time and I don't think I would have managed to keep my business going for the last 5 years without everything I was taught back then. There was no one else who was either willing to spend their time mentoring me for free, or could have taught me the wide range of subjects that I needed to get off the ground.

We want to bring together a diverse group of talented makers from all over the country whatever their background or professional qualifications. We particularly welcome applications from currently under-represented groups in craft. Applicants who identify as Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic and/or as disabled will be guaranteed an interview if they meet the essential criteria for the Hothouse programme.

For more information, see www.craftscouncil.org.uk/hothouse .

The Crafts Council and Hothouse 2019 are supported by Arts Council England.