10th Year of New Makers Awards

Now in its 10th year, the Materialise programme continues to champion the brightest new makers from design-based disciplines graduating across Scottish Art Schools with the added inclusion of Fife College. This ever-evolving initiative is a platform for emerging practices, co-developed with each new cohort to provide meaningful support during that pivotal first year post-graduation.

In past iterations, we’ve hosted symposiums, exhibitions (both in-person and online), critical feedback sessions, business planning workshops, residencies, and so much more. Each maker is also awarded a £250 prize to help them develop their practice further.

Every year, our staff team visits the major Scottish degree shows, where we’re privileged and challenged to select makers whose work aligns with Fife Contemporary’s core values. We’re deeply grateful to the tutors who generously share their insights, helping us identify the most innovative, environmentally aware, and conceptually driven practitioners. We’re particularly drawn to multidisciplinary approaches and work that pushes boundaries in narrative, technique, and materiality.

This year, we’re thrilled to introduce a cohort whose work feels fresh, unexpected, and deeply inspiring. Their practices span a diverse range of materials and techniques, from wild clay and metal crafted to resemble textiles, to jewellery that borrows from embroidery and doily-making traditions. We see ethical ikat weaving, the revival of harvesting and processing of Scottish wool and linen, patterns created by historic Scottish language and furniture crafted from native trees. Together, these makers push creative boundaries, blending tradition with innovation and have achieved so much in a short space of time.

We left each show buzzing with excitement, already imagining where their work will take them next. Below is a taster of their incredible talent—so please browse, follow, and stay tuned. We can’t wait to collaborate with them over the coming year and see how their practices evolve!

Jewellery and Silversmithing