Collect Open Bursary FAQs
GENERAL
What are the Collect Open bursaries?
The Collect Open bursaries are a new initiative which will be introduced for the 2026 edition of Collect. Each bursary offers financial support worth £5,000 for three UK-based makers from global majority backgrounds, helping them to participate in Collect Open.
How many Collect Open bursaries are available?
There are three bursaries available. Each bursary is offered to an individual maker or collective who is successful in their application to take part in Collect Open 2026.
What is expected from makers who receive the bursary?
Successful applicants are expected to use the bursary to participate in the 2026 edition of Collect and are required to be present at their Collect Open stand for the duration of the fair.
How much will participating in Collect Open likely to cost?
Collect Open can cost a participant up to £10,000, depending on their practice. This takes into account the time to make the new work, the materials, the display, the cost of participating (stand fee) and your expenses (travel, accommodation and subsistence). The bursary will cover the stand fee and a contribution towards your expenditure on display, materials or time, but you will need to factor in the wider costs.
ELIGIBILITY
Who is eligible to apply for the Collect Open bursary?
The Collect Open bursaries are open to individuals who:
- Identify as being from a global majority background, which includes, but is not limited to: people of African or Caribbean heritage; Arabic heritage; Latin American heritage; East Asian, South Asian and Southeast Asian heritage.
- Self-identify as being in financial need or come from low-income backgrounds.
- Are over the age of 18.
- Are based in the UK.
Please note that Collect Open bursary applicants must also meet the general Collect Open programme eligibility criteria to receive the bursary, see page 7 on the application guidance for full details
Who is included in the term ‘global majority’?
Global majority is a collective term coined by Rosemary Campbell-Stephens MBE, referring to those who make up 80% of the world’s population. By global majority, we refer to; people of African or Caribbean heritage; Arabic heritage; Latin American heritage; East Asian, South Asian and Southeast Asian heritage.
How do you define financial need or low-income background?
Our definition of financial need and low-income backgrounds is based on recommended government approved indicators. You must self-identify as meeting at least one of the below criteria to be eligible for the bursary:
- Your parents or carers did not attend university in the UK or abroad.
- The main household earner when you were 14 worked in a technical, craft, routine, manual, or service occupation, or was long-term unemployed.
- You attended a state-run or state-funded school.
- You were eligible for free school meals at any point during your school years.
- You received means-tested financial support while in further or higher education.
- You consider yourself to be disabled.
- You consider yourself to have a learning disability or special education need.
- You currently have or have ever had refugee or asylum status.
What kind of work is eligible for Collect Open?
Collect Open is open to contemporary craft-based installations. Applications that consist solely of painting, drawing, graphic design, photography, fine art sculpture, animation, or film will not be considered. See the application guidance for full guidance on eligible media.
What do you mean by professional practice?
By professional practice, we mean that you are actively engaged in your craft as a career, whether you are currently earning a living from your work or are working towards doing so.
I am based in the UK on a visa, can I still apply?
Yes, you can apply as long as you are currently living in the UK and have the legal right to remain here. You will also need a UK bank account and must be entitled to remain in the UK throughout the duration of the fair in 2026.
Can I apply for the Collect Open bursary more than once?
Yes, however, please note that makers cannot participate in Collect Open more than twice and not in consecutive years.
I have previously exhibited in Collect Open, can I still apply for the bursary?
Yes, as long as you meet the eligibility criteria and have not participated in Collect Open more than once or in the last year.
APPLICATION PROCESS
When do applications open and close?
Applications will open on 6 May and close 22 June 2025.
How do I apply for the Collect Open bursary?
You will need to submit an application form to take part in Collect Open via the online portal. If you wish to apply for a Collect Open bursary as part of your application, please complete the relevant parts of the application form to confirm you would like to be considered. You cannot apply for the bursary without applying to participate in Collect Open.
Is there a fee to apply?
The £45 application fee will be waived for Collect Open bursary applicants.
What should I include in my application?
Please read the application guidance before filling out the online application form for a helpful step-by-step guide that outlines all the information we will ask you to provide.
I am not sure if my proposed idea is developed enough, can I still apply?
We encourage ambitious ideas from makers, and many previous Collect Open participants refined their concepts throughout the process. Your initial idea does not have to be perfect. What matters most is that your proposal is for a new body of work created especially for Collect, which demonstrates how you are exploring new directions in your practice and your willingness to push your practice forward. If helpful, you can submit digital or hand-drawn sketches to help illustrate your idea.
Successful applicants will also receive guidance from our Collect Open Business Consultant to help develop their proposal further throughout the 6 months leading up to and during the fair.
Do I need any formal qualifications to apply?
No, you do not need formal qualifications to apply. We welcome applications from makers with a range of experiences and pathways into craft.
Do I need to be represented by a gallery to apply?
No, Collect Open is specifically designed for independent artists and collectives who are not exhibiting with a gallery at the fair.
How will my application be assessed?
All complete and eligible Collect Open proposals will be reviewed together by an expert advisory panel, regardless of whether applicants have applied for a bursary or not. All applications will be anonymised, with numbers used for applicants instead of names. The panel will be presented with slides featuring submitted proposal content, including images of previous work, a written or video statement, and a stand plan for your proposed display. If you have applied for a Collect Open bursary, this will be indicated on the slides to help the panel select the three bursary recipients.
When will I know if I have been successful?
Successful applicants will be notified by the end of July 2025.
What happens if I am unsuccessful?
An unsuccessful application does not mean your work is not strong, it may simply be that other proposals were a better fit for this year’s selection. We strongly encourage you to apply again next year, sign up to our mailing list to receive updates about future opportunities.
Can I get feedback on my application?
Due to the volume of applications we receive, unfortunately we are not able to provide individual feedback.
Note for people with disabilities or access requirements
Crafts Council makes every effort to provide reasonable accommodation for people with disabilities or access requirements who wish to submit an application. If you have a requirement in this area, please do get in touch with us as early as possible before the application deadline: collect@craftscouncil.org.uk
FUNDING
How much will I receive from the bursary?
Each bursary provides a package of support worth £5,000, which includes mentoring, business development support, operations, PR, and marketing assistance. A portion of the £5,000 will cover the contract fee for participating in Collect. The rest will be provided as a one-off financial allowance to help with additional costs you may incur. Please note that if you are applying as a collective, the one-off payment will be issued to the lead applicant.
What else can the bursary be used for?
We recommend using the bursary to support the creation and presentation of your work. For example, towards your display or materials required for your new work.
Applicants should plan for any additional costs beyond the bursary and are encouraged to explore further funding opportunities. Please refer to the application guidance for a list of suggested funding sources
Can I defer my bursary to a future year if I choose not to participate in Collect 2026?
No, the bursary cannot be deferred to a future year. However, if you are successful in your application and encounter circumstances that may affect your ability to participate, please contact us as soon as possible to discuss your situation.
When and how will I receive the bursary?
You will receive the bursary following confirmation of your successful application in July. The one-off financial allowance will be transferred to your bank account.
Can I apply for other funding in addition to the bursary?
Yes, you can seek additional funding from other sources. We recognise that taking part in Collect Open is a significant investment. Many participants apply for funding to support their participation in Collect Open. If you decide to apply for additional grant funding or similar, we suggest you do this early. Please refer to the application guidance to see a list of additional funding sources.
How are the bursaries funded?
The Collect Open bursaries have been funded through the generous contributions from Crafts Council donors/supporters. Collect Open is sponsored by Spinocchia Freund.