Rising Stars is a nationally recognised platform designed to support and celebrate early career makers, including students and graduates from BA and MA programmes in crafts, design, and applied arts across the UK. As one of the oldest arts charities in the country, New Ashgate Gallery has a long history of fostering emerging talent. The programme offers a vital first step into the marketplace, featuring a curated selling exhibition, further career opportunities, and audience development.

What We Offer:

• A curated exhibition at New Ashgate Gallery, Farnham, connecting new makers with collectors and the art community.
• A catalogue to promote the selected makers.
• One maker will be awarded a solo exhibition at the New Ashgate Gallery in 2026. The maker and a runner-up will receive a 1-2-1 coaching session with Caroline Jackman. With over 20 years of experience, Caroline is the founder of Creative Business Growth and a former Head of Craft Business Skills at the Crafts Council. She is a Trustee for New Ashgate and an Advisor for the Radcliffe Trust. 

Why Rising Stars Matters:

• Over the years, Rising Stars has successfully helped hundreds of emerging makers launch their careers. Previous participants have gone on to secure representation by leading galleries, win prestigious awards, and establish successful practices.
• By supporting Rising Stars, funders and partners contribute to diversity in the arts, support the next generation of talent, and engage with Farnham’s vibrant creative community, part of the World Craft Town initiative.

Rising Stars 2025 addresses underrepresentation in the crafts sector. We commit a minimum of five exhibition places to makers from Black, Asian, and ethnically diverse backgrounds, LGBTQIA+ communities, and those with visible or non-visible disabilities.

Key Dates:

• Exhibition: 15 March – 26 April 2025
• Private View and Awards Ceremony: 14 March 2025, 6-8 pm

Selected makers will also have the opportunity to showcase with Dan Goode of Making Goode at Handmade festivals in 2025. Details, including reduced participation fees, will be shared in the summer of 2025.

Who Can Apply:

• Eligibility: Early career makers (less than three years in business or still studying). Business registration with HMRC or evidence of work sold is required.
• Scope: Makers must be based in England, Scotland, or Wales. We regret that we cannot accept applications from makers in Northern Ireland due to Brexit-related restrictions. However, makers in Northern Ireland are welcome to email us to express interest in future opportunities.
• This opportunity is for makers looking to work with galleries and actively sell their work.
• Prototypes are not accepted.

The application must include:

1. Images: 3-4 high-quality JPEG images (No larger than 4MB; if you are successful, we will ask you for high-resolution images of 300dpi) of the proposed work, including full captions and titles.
2. CV: A maximum of two A4 pages (Word or PDF).
3. Statement: Up to 250 words about your work.
4. Display Information: Indicate how your work should be displayed (e.g., framed, on a plinth, in a display case).

Important Information:

• There is no fee to apply.
• The gallery takes a 50% commission on sold artwork.
• 2D work must be framed in plain frames.
• Successful applicants must cover their travel, delivery, and collection costs for unsold artworks.
• Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.

Deadline: 20 January 2025, 10 am.

Informal Enquiries:

Please contact us through the 'Contact curator' tab. 

About New Ashgate Gallery:

Founded in the late 1950s, the New Ashgate Gallery is based in Farnham, Surrey, recognised as the World Craft Town.

As a registered charity, it reinvests profits from craft and art sales into scholarships, prizes, and community projects. The gallery is a leading destination for contemporary craft, showcasing work by both emerging and established makers.

With a dynamic programme of exhibitions, the gallery supports early-career makers through partnerships with organisations such as the University for the Creative Arts, Surrey Artists Open Studios, and Craft Town partners.

It also engages the community through a variety of gallery-based and outreach workshops.

Rising Stars 2025 is organised in partnership with the University for the Creative Arts and Dan Goode of Making Goode. It is supported by the Billmeir Charitable Trust.

Rising Stars 2025 is organised by the New Ashgate Gallery Trust in partnership with the University for the Creative Arts and Dan Goode of Making Goode. It is supported by the Billmeir Charitable Trust.

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