Nominations for the QEST Sanderson rising star craft award open this month

Sanderson, in partnership with the Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust (QEST), has announced that nominations for the 2026 Rising Star Craft Award opened on Monday 13 April and will close on Friday 5 June

Now in its second edition, the biennial award celebrates emerging craftspeople who demonstrate exceptional skill, dedication to their discipline and a meaningful contribution to their community and the wider craft sector

Nominations are open to UK makers, submitted by a credible referee, and are limited to early-to-mid career craftspeople with two to seven years of professional practice who demonstrate strong foundational skill, commitment to their craft and ongoing development of their expertise

The selection process includes an interview at Voysey House – Sanderson’s historic headquarters and home to its design studios and archive – followed by an award ceremony in October. The winner will receive a £25,000 prize to support the development of their craft