Tag: Awards

Open Call: Loewe Foundation Craft Prize

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland

This year’s annual international Loewe Foundation Craft Prize is now accepting applications.

Even if you are not interested in applying, please do check out the online exhibition of the previous winner and shortlisters of this fine craft award; their work is inspiring! Each listing includes a video tour of the artist’s studio. And while there doesn’t appear to be any works using the technique of feltmaking, there are some amazing textiles!

Here are just three examples:

The Loewe Foundation Craft Prize celebrates “excellence, artistic merit and newness in modern craftsmanship. A panel of experts will select the winning entry, which will receive a €50,000 prize, from a shortlist of 30 artists. All finalist works will be presented in an exhibition at Singapore, opening in spring 2026.”

Submissions are open until the 30th of October, 2025.

For more information, visit their website –https://craftprize.loewe.com/en/craftprize2026

Their Instagram: @loewefoundation

Disclaimer for Feltmakers Ireland Blog

Feltmakers Ireland aims to share information about awards, education, events, exhibitions, and opportunities that you will find interesting. Our sharing is neither paid for by nor an endorsement of these individuals or organisations.

Contact Us: If you have any concerns about content, please email us at feltmakersie@gmail.com.

Questions: For questions about the content, please follow the link to the organisation hosting the event.

Open Calls: Three Awards Applications for Makers

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland

Currently, three awards are open to makers in Ireland: the RDS Craft Awards, the Leitrim Design House Awards, and the Design and Craft Council of Ireland’s Future Makers Awards. Two awards are open to those not enrolled in education or recent graduates.


The RDS Craft Awards

Applications will open for the RDS Craft Awards on the 5th of May, 2025. It is a competition open to all craft makers living on the island of Ireland and Irish-born craft makers working overseas.  The work of emerging and established makers is judged separately, with specific prizes to support emerging craftspeople. The Awards will be made from a total prize fund of €60,000.

The Emerging Maker category is open to individuals who aren’t necessarily recent graduates, and there is no age limit. Instead, there are these requirements:

  • Focus on heritage, skills, and sustainable practices.
  • Practice commenced within the past 10 years, with the determination to grow their craft at home and abroad.
  • Work must be made and sourced in Ireland.

The deadline for applying is the 23rd of June. There is no fee to enter.

For more information and to apply, visit their website – https://www.rds.ie/rds-foundation/arts/craft-awards

The Leitrim Design House – National Design, Craft & Art Awards

To mark 25 years of supporting creative Irish businesses, The Leitrim Design House has launched the National Design, Craft & Art Awards to celebrate excellence in craftsmanship. The award stems from the organisation’s resilience and sustainability as a business over the past two decades.

As a reflection of this longevity, The Leitrim Design House invites makers, artists, and designers from across the country to respond to the theme of Reused Sustainability.

The overall winner will receive €2,500 and a solo exhibition at The Leitrim Design House in 2026. A Special Commendation Prize of €1,000 will also be awarded to a runner-up.

Deadline for submission of applications: Friday, the 27th of June, 2025.

For more information, please visit their website – https://leitrimdesignhouse.ie/blogs/news/the-leitrim-design-house-national-design-craft-art-awards

DCCI’s Future Makers Award

DCCI invites students and emerging makers* to apply for this opportunity to showcase their talent.⁠
⁠
Future Makers is a DCCI initiative that recognises the talent, potential, and creativity of designers and makers shaping the future.⁠
⁠
Why apply?⁠
⁠
▪️ Win up to €3,500 to financially support your career⁠
▪️Gain recognition for your talent, potential, and creativity⁠
▪️Each winner will receive a mentoring package valued at €2,000⁠

The deadline is the 20th of June.

* Emerging Makers – Currently in post-graduate studies in a craft or design discipline or graduated from full-time study between 2-6 years ago at the date of entry to Future Makers, and/or have established a craft or design enterprise in the past 6 years.

For more information, visit their website – https://www.dcci.ie/dcci-future-makers/apply-now

Disclaimer for Feltmakers Ireland Blog

Feltmakers Ireland aims to share information about awards, education, events, exhibitions, and opportunities that you will find interesting. Our sharing is neither paid for by nor an endorsement of these individuals or organisations.

Contact Us: If you have any concerns about content, please email us at feltmakersie@gmail.com.

Questions: For questions about content, please follow the link to the organisation involved in hosting the event.

Awards: Open Call to the RDS Craft Awards – 2025

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland
Image from ISSU interactive catalogue - A Guide to the RDS Craft Awards 2025 - on a green background.

Applications will open for the RDS Craft Awards on the 5th of May, 2025. It is a competition open to all craft makers living on the island of Ireland and Irish-born craft makers working overseas.  The work of emerging and established makers is judged separately, with specific prizes to support emerging craftspeople. The Awards will be made from a total prize fund of €60,000.

The Emerging Maker category is open to individuals who aren’t necessarily recent graduates, and there is no age limit. Instead, there are these requirements:

  • Focus on heritage, skills, and sustainable practices.
  • Practice commenced within the past 10 years, with the determination to grow their craft at home and abroad.
  • Work must be made and sourced in Ireland.

The deadline for applying is the 23rd of June. There is no fee to enter.

For more information and to apply, visit their website – https://www.rds.ie/rds-foundation/arts/craft-awards

Disclaimer for Feltmakers Ireland Blog

Feltmakers Ireland aims to share information about awards, education, events, exhibitions, and opportunities that you will find interesting. Our sharing is neither paid for by nor an endorsement of these individuals or organisations.

Contact Us: If you have any concerns about content, please email us at feltmakersie@gmail.com.

Questions: For questions about the content, please follow the link to the organisation hosting the event.

Awards: The Leitrim Design House – National Design, Craft & Art Awards 2025

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland
The Leitrim Design House National esign, Craft & Art Awards.

To mark 25 years of supporting creative Irish businesses, The Leitrim Design House has launched the National Design, Craft & Art Awards to celebrate excellence in craftsmanship. The award stems from the organisation’s resilience and sustainability as a business over the past two decades.

As a reflection of this longevity, The Leitrim Design House invites makers, artists, and designers from across the country to respond to the theme of Reused Sustainability.

The overall winner will receive €2,500 and a solo exhibition at The Leitrim Design House in 2026. A Special Commendation Prize of €1,000 will also be awarded to a runner-up.

Deadline for submission of applications: Friday, the 27th of June, 2025.

For more information, please visit their website – https://leitrimdesignhouse.ie/blogs/news/the-leitrim-design-house-national-design-craft-art-awards

Their Instagram @theleitrimdesignhouse

Disclaimer for Feltmakers Ireland Blog

Feltmakers Ireland aims to share information about awards, education, events, exhibitions, and opportunities that you will find interesting. Our sharing is neither paid for by nor an endorsement of these individuals or organisations.

Contact Us: If you have any concerns about content, please email us at feltmakersie@gmail.com.

Questions: For questions about content, please follow the link to the organisation involved in hosting the event.

Of Interest: Zoom Workshop on Arts Council Agility Award Application – 26th of March

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland
Workshop - The Arts Council Agility Award Application Basics - with Cli Donnellan.

Clí Donnellan of Minding Creative Minds will explain the application for the Arts Council of Ireland’s Agility Award.

This Zoom class includes an introduction, support materials, information for collaborations and the application process, and the application form.

Wednesday, the 26th of March- 13:00 -14:00 PM

For more information and to register, visit the Minding Creative Minds website – https://mindingcreativeminds.ie/events/the-arts-council-agility-award-application-basics-march-26/

Instagram – @mindingcreativeminds

Disclaimer for Feltmakers Ireland Blog

Feltmakers Ireland aims to share information about awards, education, events, exhibitions, and opportunities that you will find interesting. Our sharing is neither paid for by nor an endorsement of these individuals or organisations.

Contact Us: If you have any concerns about content, please email us at feltmakersie@gmail.com.

Questions: For questions about content, please follow the link to the organisation involved in hosting the event.

News: Feltmakers Ireland’s Open Day – National Heritage Week Awards – County Winner, Dublin City

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland

On the 15th of November, Feltmakers Ireland was awarded the County Winner in the National Heritage Week Awards for the Dublin City Council local authority area. We now have a beautifully framed award to share.

Every year, the Heritage Council celebrates the work of communities and organisations that hosted National Heritage Week events, which kick off on the third weekend of August and run until the end of the following weekend. Feltmakers Ireland hosted two Open Days, where we shared the magic of wet felting with the public. One event was in Kilbeggan, County Westmeath, and the other was in Inchicore, County Dublin, at the CIE Sports Hall and Social Club, where we typically hold our monthly Sunday Sessions. In addition to sharing how wool fibres transform into felt, we displayed felted wearables and artwork created by members. A second display area had information on Irish wool, how it can be used for feltmaking, and copies of our book, ‘Exploring Irish Wool for Feltmaking’.

To see a photo-filled recap of our event in Dublin, visit here on our blog – https://feltmakersireland.com/2024/08/22/recap-august-craft-open-day-felted-vessels-inchicore/

A video of our Open Day can be found on our social media:

The video is also on our YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/shorts/edUGtYr94_g

Thank you to the Heritage Council for recognising feltmaking as a cultural heritage. Additionally, we want to thank the Design and Crafts Council of Ireland (DCCI) for supporting our guild throughout the years.

We don’t know who kindly nominated our event for the County Dublin Award, but we are ever so appreciative! Go raibh míle maith agaibh, (which is ‘Thank you very much’ in Irish).

The Awards

In addition to County Awards, there are eight other categories:

  • There is a category that relates to the theme of the year. The theme of 2024 was ‘Connections, Routes and Networks’
  • Wild Child Event Award
  • Water Heritage Award
  • Inclusive Heritage Award
  • Irish Language Award
  • Sustainability and Climate Heritage Award
  • Intangible Cultural Heritage Award
  • Heritage Hero Award

To learn more about award categories, visit the Heritage Week website- https://www.heritageweek.ie/awards

Awards Ceremony

To watch a full video of the National Heritage Week 2024 Awards Ceremony, visit RTE’s YouTube page here – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IziFzpG3ltM

To see a photo-filled recap of our other Open Day in Kilbeggan, visit here on our blog – https://feltmakersireland.com/2024/09/04/recap-feltmakers-ireland-open-day-in-kilbeggan-co-westmeath-august-craft-month/


Disclaimer for Feltmakers Ireland Blog

Feltmakers Ireland aims to share information about awards, education, events, exhibitions, and opportunities that you will find interesting. Our sharing is neither paid for by nor an endorsement of these individuals or organisations.

Contact Us: If you have any concerns about content, please email us at feltmakersie@gmail.com.

Questions: For questions about content, please follow the link to the organisation involved in hosting the event.

News: Crafts of Ireland Shortlisted for Sustainability Champion Award – Showcase 2025

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland

Feltmaker Ireland’s guild member Sandra Coote’s business, Crafts of Ireland, is a finalist for the Sustainability Champion Award supported by the Local Enterprise Office of Cavan at Showcase 2025. The awards will take place on Monday, 20th of January, at Showcase in the RDS as part of the overall event. The shortlisted companies were selected from the 105 Local Enterprise clients who will exhibit to national and international buyers from the 19th – 21st of January.

The Awards

The awards are divided into three categories: Best Newcomer, which recognises the top craft and design business making its debut; One to Watch, which highlights a business with outstanding export and international potential; and Sustainability Champion, which celebrates the craft and design business leading the way in sustainability.

Crafts of Ireland

Rooted in a sixth-generation family farm in County Cavan, Crafts of Ireland is a business devoted to preserving and promoting traditional Irish crafts and skills. Serving as both a craft studio and a heritage hub, it offers an array of experiences, workshops, and handcrafted products that celebrate Ireland’s cultural heritage. Their Irish Wool Needle Felting Kits feature fibre from their own rare Irish Roscommon Sheep, along with wool sourced from local farmers.

Find Crafts of Ireland at Stand L47 – https://showcaseireland.com/newfront/exhibitor/crafts-of-ireland

Disclaimer for Feltmakers Ireland Blog

Feltmakers Ireland aims to share information about awards, education, events, exhibitions, and opportunities that you will find interesting. Our sharing is neither paid for by nor an endorsement of these individuals or organisations.

Contact Us: If you have any concerns about content, please email us at feltmakersie@gmail.com.

Questions: For questions about content, please follow the link to the organisation involved in hosting the event.

Of Interest: Arts Council of Ireland Funding Opportunites Calendar for 2025

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland
Arts Council of Ireland logo

The Arts Council of Ireland has listed this year’s awards schedule. Guidelines are typically made available two weeks in advance of the opening of a scheme. Full details for individual awards can be found on the Available Funding Page – https://www.artscouncil.ie/available-funding/

Possible awards of interest are the following: Visual Arts Bursary Award, Agility Award, Young People, Children, and Education Bursary Award, and the Artist in the Community Scheme.

To see this year’s schedule, visit the Arts Council’s website – https://www.artscouncil.ie/funding-opportunities-schedule/

Disclaimer for Feltmakers Ireland Blog

Feltmakers Ireland aims to share information about awards, education, events, exhibitions, and opportunities that you will find interesting. Our sharing is neither paid for by nor an endorsement of these individuals or organisations.

Contact Us: If you have any concerns about content, please email us at feltmakersie@gmail.com.

Questions: For questions about content, please follow the link to the organisation involved in hosting the event.

Reminder: Golden Fleece Award Application Deadline is Friday

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland

The mission of the Golden Fleece Award is to provide resources for practising contemporary visual artists and makers to innovate and develop their artistic vision. In the previous year, only 20% of the applications received for the Golden Fleece Award were made by craft practitioners. Let’s change that this year!

The annual award supports artists working in all forms of visual, craft and applied arts at critical junctures of their careers. Applicants should reside in, or originally from, the island of Ireland.

Two €10,000 awards will be made in 2025, one in each of the two categories: Visual Art and Craft + Applied Art.

The submission deadline is 5pm on Friday, the 29th of November, 2024.

Note: Just over 240 applications were received for the 2024 Golden Fleece Award – 197 for Category 1: Visual Art and 45 for Category 2: Craft + Applied Art! (This is a much smaller number than applicants to the Arts Council of Ireland’s Agility Award. According to their Twitter/X, “We received a record number of 3,279 applications for our 2024 Agility Award”). 

One can also read the past Golden Fleece Award applications to understand the judging better.

For more information, visit the Golden Fleece Award’s website – https://www.goldenfleeceaward.com/

Disclaimer for Feltmakers Ireland Blog

Feltmakers Ireland aims to share information about awards, education, events, exhibitions, and opportunities that you will find interesting. Our sharing is neither paid for by nor an endorsement of these individuals or organisations.

Contact Us: If you have any concerns about content, please email us at feltmakersie@gmail.com.

Questions: For questions about content, please follow the link to the organisation involved in hosting the event.

Awards: Golden Fleece Award Application Open

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland

The mission of the Golden Fleece Award is to provide resources for practising contemporary visual artists and makers to innovate and develop their artistic vision.

The annual award supports artists working in all forms of visual, craft and applied arts at critical junctures of their careers. Applicants should reside in, or originally from, the island of Ireland.

Two €10,000 awards will be made in 2025, one in each of the two categories: Visual Art and Craft + Applied Art.

The submission deadline is 5pm on Friday, the 29th of November, 2024.

Note: Just over 240 applications were received for the 2024 Golden Fleece Award – 197 for Category 1: Visual Art and 45 for Category 2: Craft + Applied Art! (This is a much smaller number than applicants to the Arts Council of Ireland’s Agility award: According to their Twitter/X, “We received a record number of 3,279 applications for our 2024 Agility Award”). One can also read past shortlisted Golden Fleece Award applications to understand the judging better. For example, here is a link to shortlisted artist and tapestry weaver Frances Crowe’s application – https://www.goldenfleeceaward.com/artists/frances-crowe

For more information, visit the Golden Fleece Award’s website – https://www.goldenfleeceaward.com/


Disclaimer for Feltmakers Ireland Blog

Feltmakers Ireland aims to share information about awards, education, events, exhibitions, and opportunities that you will find interesting. Our sharing is neither paid for by nor an endorsement of these individuals or organisations.

Contact Us: If you have any concerns about content, please email us at feltmakersie@gmail.com.

Questions: For questions about content, please follow the link to the organisation involved in hosting the event.