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COMPASS: Workshop Programme 2021 Launches | Opportunities Flash Edition

Realise your craft business ambitions this Spring, with the return of Craft Scotland's COMPASS: Online Workshops. 

From January to April 2021, Craft Scotland will be hosting nine online sessions via Zoom with professional industry experts to help you develop your creative and business practice.

COMPASS is Craft Scotland’s learning and development programme created specifically for makers. COMPASS focuses on developing talent and equipping individuals with the necessary skills to create a resilient craft career and business. 

Part of our COMPASS: Online Workshops 2021, our trusted workshop leaders are excited to share their experience, wisdom and practical tips with you as they cover selling effectively, cash flow, creative development and how to make the most of your marketing and sales channels, plus more.

COMPASS: Multi-Workshop Pass

Limited time offer

To allow you to choose your area of focus, the COMPASS: Online Workshops are available as three individual workshop series at £25 each. You can also book all nine sessions together at the spring discounted price of £65 (instead of £75).

This Multi-Workshop Pass discount ends at Noon, Monday 11 January 2021.

These workshops are subsidised by Craft Scotland to ensure that more makers have access to quality learning and development opportunities. COMPASS is supported by the William Grant Foundation and Creative Scotland.

If you have any questions, please contact Jo Scott, Head of Programmes, by email: jo@craftscotland.org.

Book your Multi-Workshop Pass

Principles of Finance & Funding Workshop Series
10am, Tuesdays 12 and 19 January 2021 (2 sessions)

Alasdair McGill will guide you through the financial fundamentals you need to run a resilient craft business; how to record and manage costs, cash flow and profitability. Learn more about the series.

With over 30 years’ experience in the accounting industry, Alasdair is the co-founder of Ashton McGill. He is also a trained service designer, and is passionate about taking a human-centred approach to everything he does.

Workshop series ticket price: £25
One ticket gives you access to both online sessions.

Book your place

Brand Storytelling Workshop Series
11am, Tuesdays 26 January, and 2, 9 and 23 February 2021 (4 sessions)

This COMPASS series of four online sessions will explore how to use marketing and content creation to tell your unique maker story and connect with your customers. Learn more about the series.

Speakers include social media consultant Sophie Amono (sTUFFS), textiles designer Alan Dibble (Green Thomas) and communications and digital specialist Veronique AA Lapeyre (Craft Scotland). 

Workshop series ticket price: £25
One ticket gives you access to all four online sessions.

Book your place

Maker Journeys in Focus Workshop Series
11am, Tuesdays 9 and 23 March, and 6 April 2021 (3 sessions)

Hear from five Scotland-based designer/makers about their own experiences of navigating the creative business landscape. Makers will share insights into their success, key decisions, challenges and setbacks, and what influenced and shaped their own business and creative practice. Learn more about the series.

Speakers include textiles designer Laura Spring, and ceramic artist Frances Priest, with additional speakers to be announced.

Workshop series ticket price: £25
One ticket gives you access to all three online sessions.

Book your place

More Craft Scotland Opportunities 

COMPASS: Brexit - EU Transition Period Webinar
Event date: 11.30am, 17 Dec 2020

Book your free place on Kevin Shakespeare (Institute of Export & International Trade) and Craft Scotland's webinar to learn more about the end of the EU transition in January 2021, and how this might affect your craft business.

Opportunity provided by: Craft Scotland
Location: Online

Jorum Craft Award 2021
Closing date: 5pm, 19 Jan 2021

Round 2 of the Jorum Craft Award is now open for applications. This £500 award provides funding to assist with development of a maker’s creative practice, including but not limited to research and development of a new piece of work, project or collection.

Previous Jorum Craft Award applicants are welcome to reapply, learn more about the award and previous winners on our website. The Jorum Craft Award is supported by Jorum Studio, in association with Craft Scotland. 

Opportunity provided by: Jorum Studio & Craft Scotland
Location: Across Scotland

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Support & Update


Information around the Coronavirus (COVID-19) is changing rapidly, it is important to stay up to date with the latest position. You can find more information on the Scottish Government website

Creative Scotland Hardship Fund for Creative Freelancers
Closing date: Noon, 18 Dec 2020 (due to re-open 5 Dec 2021)

All applications to the Hardship Fund for Creative Freelancers will now be handled by Creative Scotland. This fund aims to support freelance creative professionals working in the arts and creative sector in Scotland, who are experiencing immediate financial difficulty due to the loss of income as a result of the Coronavirus (COVID-19). 

Please note: the online application portal will close to applicants at Noon, 18 December 2020 and will reopen at Noon, 5 January 2021.

If you have any questions please email: hardshipfund@creativescotland.com.

Information about Workshops/Studios: Tier Level 4 Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Last updated: 15 Dec 2020

The latest government advice for businesses and workplaces states that in Tier Level 4: "all workplaces, public and private sector, even those providing essential services, should as far as possible work from home.

For those unable to work from home, studios can remain open for production/manufacturing activity with suitable mitigations in place to reduce the risk of the virus. Learning activity in workshops and visitors are not permitted at this level." 

Find the complete guidance for creative studios and shared workspaces in all tier levels on Scottish Government dedicated information page.

More Maker Opportunities

You can find more Craft Scotland and sector-wide opportunities, including additional Coronavirus (COVID-19) related support, on the Craft Scotland website. 

Discover more opportunities