The Goldsmiths' Centre

The Goldsmiths' Centre is a charity registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales (charity number 1120113).

The Goldsmiths' Centre is a registered charity that exists to advance art, craft, design and artisan skills, particularly goldsmithing. It works with over 120 makers and businesses, who call the Centre home. Its programmes include the Jewellery Foundation Programme, the Goldsmiths' Company Apprentice Day Release, a programme of short technical and other courses, and the Business Growth Programme. Through its Collaborative Funding programme it works with partners across the UK, using Access Funding to remove barriers to participation and encouraging the formation and development of SMEs and micro-businesses. Its annual giving was £167,486 paid.

Priority Areas

The Centre’s collaborative grant giving works with partners and projects across the UK. It works with organisations through its Collaborative Funding programme, using Access Funding to remove barriers to participation and encouraging the formation and development of SMEs and micro-businesses. This grant making sits within its wider charitable purpose of advancing art, craft, design and artisan skills, particularly those relating to goldsmithing. Its wider work includes education and training for people working or aspiring to work in craft and industry, alongside support for emerging makers and public exhibitions, talks and events. The Centre’s approach is collaborative, using partnerships to extend its reach and impact.

Themes

• Access to participation
• SME development
• Artisan skills

Geographic Focus

Priority: The UK.

No application process is published in the charity's annual report, its register entry or its website. The contact shown is for getting in touch.

Who can apply:

• Business Catalyst (Small) Grants
  • Are on the pathway to being self-employed/sole trader or running a micro-business in the jewellery, silversmithing and allied industries.
  • Have recently completed, or have undertaken a formal mentoring programme, business consultancy or business diagnostic programme, such as (but not exclusive to) the Goldsmiths’ Centre* in the past 12-months.
  • Are located and have/will have a trading address in the UK. They must have a UK bank account in the exact name they are applying in.
  • Typically, we would expect the business to have a turnover up to £75,000.
• Business Catalyst (Large) Grants
  • Are employed full time by their own Limited company (or if part time as 0.6 working week minimum), or as sole trader/self-employed, or micro business in the jewellery, silversmithing or allied industries.
  • Are located and have a trading address in the UK with permanent right to remain if originally from overseas, this will need to be evidenced. They must have a UK bank account in the exact name they apply in and have the intention to remain resident in the UK for 5 years following receipt of the grant.
  • Typically employ no more than 2 people (full-time or on a part-time equivalent), including yourself, and have a turnover up to £150,000.
  • Are part of a small group of practitioners who usually collaborate in their work or create work together. In this instance, all individuals in the group must submit their own application and can only apply for one grant for their joint project. Organisations cannot apply, and individuals cannot apply on behalf of an organisation.
  • Are in a financial position to contribute a minimum of 10% of the overall project cost. Proof of this funding will be required before the grant is made. Contributions in-kind, such as your time, will not be counted for this purpose.
  • Have a minimum of 5 years of relevant business experience.
• Jewellery Foundation Programme Support Grants
  • The grant is conditional on your attendance on the Jewellery Foundation Programme, which must be 85% or higher.
  • The upper limit is a family income of £80,000 or less.