Föreningen för Svensk Hemslöjd - Årets förnyare award

Årets förnyare award

You get a 5,000 SEK (about 440 EUR) cash prize as "Årets förnyare" (Renewer of the Year). You also get two things worth more than the money. First, a mentor who guides you on developing your product for 6 months. A mentor is an experienced adviser who works with you one on one. Second, a chance to show your work in the association's own shop, Svensk Hemslöjd, on Norrlandsgatan in central Stockholm. The award is given each year by Föreningen för Svensk Hemslöjd, Sweden's oldest handicraft association, founded in 1899. It goes to someone who brings fresh ideas to traditional Swedish craft (slöjd).

Who can apply

• Level: You are a student, or you recently finished an artistic education.
• What you do: You work as a craftsperson, designer or artisan, or want to. You submit one of your own pieces.
• Material and technique: Free choice. Any material or method is welcome.
• Field of study: Open to all artistic and craft fields.
• Membership: You must be a member of the association. Student membership costs 175 SEK per year (about 15 EUR).
• Nationality: Any nationality can apply.

How to apply

Join as a student member first, because only members can apply. Then pick one of your works and email photos of it, a short description (max one A4 page) and your contact details to the association. In the past the deadline has been 15 July.

How realistic are your chances?

Only one person wins each year, so this is a single, competitive award rather than a broad grant. The field stays small, since only students and recent graduates in Swedish craft who become members can enter. If your work genuinely renews a traditional technique in a fresh way, you have a real shot.