The work placement awards for 2024 have now been launched. Deadline for both the 15 week Ashton Hill Award, and 30 week Lever Award is noon 27 March 2024. Interviews will take place on 17 May 2024.
The work placement awards offer funded work placements to emerging stained glass artists and conservators. The Ashton Hill gives the successful candidate access to a training and skills fund of £750 and £5,775 (£385 per week). The Lever Award offers a training and skills fund of £1,000 and £11,550 (£385 per week).
http://glazierscompany.org.uk/award-for-excellence-and-ashton-hill-awards/
THE WORSHIPFUL COMPANY OF GLAZIERS AND PAINTERS OF GLASS
THE ASHTON HILL AWARD 2024
This 15-week work placement in a noted studio/studios of national or international repute is open to a recent graduate, a promising trainee, or other individual interested in broadening his or her experience in stained glass, with a view to making a career in this field. It is open to those interested in becoming a stained glass conservator or stained glass artist. Students and practitioners from other conservation/arts disciplines are invited to apply. Applications are invited from individuals within five years of completion of their initial training in/introduction to the craft.
ELIGIBILITY:
Candidates must be resident or employed in the United Kingdom in order to be eligible. While good basic manual dexterity and a background knowledge of stained glass is essential, glass conservation or painting experience is not considered as important as an active interest and commitment to the subject, and a willingness to learn, although preference during shortlisting will be given to those with a demonstrable commitment to the medium. The award winner will be required to present proof of acceptable HSE blood lead levels before entering a studio placement – this is not required at interview/selection stage, however.
THE OFFER:
· 15 weeks of fully funded work experience in a leading national or international stained glass studio. A total sum of £5,775 is given to the successful candidate, or, £385 per week. This is available to assist in meeting the cost of subsistence, travel, and rent during the 15 week placement. Normally the subsistence payments are made by the clerk’s office in two tranches, one at the start of the placement and one half way through the award.
· Access to an individually tailored training fund of £750, which is to be used to cover the direct costs of training courses or obtaining tools. Examples may include conferences, specialist memberships, obtaining qualifications, enrolling on short courses. This fund is designed to give the candidate access to resources that enhance their skills and CV. A ‘Training Menu’ will be provided to the successful candidate in order to spark their ideas.
· On completion of the award, the candidate will be offered membership to the livery company, and will be invited to be a Freeman. This is an exceptional and prestigious honour, and is designed to forge a long-lasting link between the award holder and the Worshipful Company of Glaziers.
· Only on completion of the full award can the candidate claim to have attained an Ashton Hill Award. During the award, the successful candidate will be referred to as a Livery Trainee. At the end of the award, the award winner will be expected to provide an illustrated portfolio and fully up-to-date CV for circulation within the Glaziers Company, and for his/her own records. This is an invaluable opportunity also to advertise your credentials to specialists in the industry. This portfolio should be image-rich, and outline what you have achieved as a result of participating in this training award. Portfolios are useful tools for obtaining work in the industry, and the candidate can obtain free feedback and editorial advice on their portfolio in order to enhance their prospects of employment.
HOW TO ENTER
Candidates must submit a CV, together with an abridged portfolio (no more than ten images with accompanying text). Information must also be provided on the questionnaire (see below). These documents must be accompanied by a confidential report on the quality of the candidate’s work and potential from his/her course tutor (a reference) or an established stained glass artist or conservator who knows the applicant. If you do not know of any suitable person, please email the awards coordinator to discuss. The confidential report should be emailed directly to the awards coordinator, and should not be seen or sent by the applicant.
Entries should be sent by email to The Awards Coordinator, Dr Marie Groll award@worshipfulglaziers.co.uk. Postal applications will not be accepted. Completed applications should not be received later than noon on 27 March 2023. Extensions to this deadline will not be permitted. Please contain images within a document rather than emailing individual images – failure to do so will result in the application being rejected. Word document format, rather than PDF, is preferred.
A short list will be drawn up from the entries received and short-listed candidates will be asked to attend an interview. The interview panel is composed of a minimum of three to five leading stained glass practitioners. You will be asked a series of questions during the interview in order to assess your potential, goals, and needs. Interviews will be conducted via Zoom video conferencing. You must prepare a PowerPoint presentation of your current portfolio (lasting no more than 5 minutes). This should include projects/examples of your practical work. The powerpoint should be image-rich. Be prepared to be asked questions about your work after the 5 minute presentation.
The interview is expected to take place on 17 May 2024. Alternative dates cannot be accommodated due to the need to assemble an expert committee of specialists, who, due to the nature of their own work, have limited availability.
The decision of the interviewing panel is final. It is unfortunately not possible to give applicants individual feedback.
NOTE: CANDIDATES MAY APPLY FOR BOTH THE LEVER AWARD AND THE ASHTON HILL AWARD.2024 Application Ashton Hill Award
