TEXTILE EDUCATION FUND

Registered Charity No. 238076

The Weavers' Company has been involved for more than 850 years in maintaining the standards of its craft.  In modern times, this is achieved through its Textile Education Fund, which provides scholarships for students and support for textile educational establishments.'

During 2006, a major review of the Textile Education Fund's aims and objectives was under-taken.  It was agreed that the Company should seek to develop closer links with a limited number of educational establishments, to ensure they and their students derived maximum benefit from the Company's scholarships and grants.  A short list was drawn up and visited by a small Working Party after which it was decided that the following should form the initial core group:

Central St Martins College of Art and Design
Chelsea College of Art and Design
Glasgow School of Art  
Loughborough University
Royal College of Art
University of Manchester 

In the academic year 2007/2008, only undergraduate and postgraduate students undertaking textile-related degrees at these establishments are eligible to apply for the Company's Scholarships

College and Technology Awards have been replaced by the Support for Education Award for which only the core group members may apply. 

Membership of the core group will be kept under review.

The Textile Industry Awards for young people working within the UK textile industry have been replaced by a new Silver Shuttle Award  to recognise outstanding talent and ability within the United Kingdom Woven Textile Industry.

Annual grants continue to be awarded in support of the RSA Student Design Awards and Texprint, which provides a showcase for talented young designers.

Today's students may go on to become the industry leaders of the future.  The Weavers' Company Silver Medal and Prize is awarded in recognition of an outstanding contribution to textiles education, management, design, technology or craft weaving.

The textile industry is now changing faster than in the past nine centuries but the Company is determined to keep pace and continue its support in the future.