Woodturner from Kildare shortlisted for the Future Makers awards
This year sees increased prize funds for both awards with €63,000 for Future Makers and €15,000 for the David Shaw-Smith Legacy Award
Design & Crafts Council Ireland (DCCI) have announced the shortlists for Future Makers 2026 and the David Shaw-Smith Legacy Award 2026.
A woodturner from Co Kildare has been shortlisted for the 2026 Future Makers awards - Michael Murphy from Kildare has been shortlisted in the Emerging Maker category.
Future Makers is a Design & Crafts Council Ireland initiative which recognises the talent of the next generation of makers, designers, and craftspeople looking to take the step from training into enterprise and provides them with much-needed financial support.
The David Shaw-Smith Legacy Award supports master craftspeople in later stages of their careers, recognising years of dedication, outstanding contribution, and the potential to continue shaping their craft through the support of a new project.
Both the Future Makers 2026 and David Shaw-Smith Legacy Award 2026 winners will be announced at a ceremony taking place on Wednesday, September 9 in the Dining Hall in Trinity College, Dublin.
Both awards showcase DCCI’s commitment to and investment in supporting craftspeople at every stage of their careers, whether they are just starting out or long established.
Divided into student and emerging practitioner categories, Future Makers covers a wide range of disciplines. It is one of the largest prize-funded design and craft award programmes in Europe, with each winner receiving a mentoring package valued at €1,000 in addition to the award. In total, Future Makers 2026 will offer an award fund of €63,000.
The David Shaw-Smith Legacy Award honours the legacy of film maker, David Shaw-Smith, whose Hands documentary series captured the skill, heritage, and spirit of Irish craftspeople.
The winner of this year’s David Shaw-Smith Legacy Award will receive €5,000.
In addition to this, the five shortlisted makers will each receive €2,000 in project support funding, bringing the total support to €15,000, which will strengthen sector impact and opportunity.
Mary Blanchfield, CEO of Design & Crafts Council Ireland, said: “Supporting our creative talent at every stage of their journey is vital for the future of Irish craft and design. This year’s shortlisted makers across the Future Makers Awards and David Shaw-Smith Legacy Award showcase the exceptional breadth, creativity and skill within Ireland’s craft and design community.
“Across a diverse range of disciplines, the shortlisted makers demonstrate a deep respect for traditional craft skills and a bold approach to contemporary making, with work that is innovative, considered and highly accomplished. Together, they reflect the strength of Ireland’s craft and design talent today, from established makers whose practice has helped shape the sector to the emerging practitioners bringing fresh ideas and new perspectives to its future.”
Future Makers judge Leah Capaldi, said: “DCCI’s Future Makers Awards prove that when artists are given time, space and support, creativity thrives. Ireland’s commitment to culture is uniquely inspiring, valuing artists and creative ambition in ways few countries do. The future is in safe hands and it’s proudly, unmistakably Irish.”
The winners of Future Makers 2026 and the David Shaw-Smith Legacy Award 2026 will be announced on Wednesday, September 9 at Trinity College Dublin.
For further information on Future Makers visit https://bit.ly/4qCoksz and for further information on the David Shaw-Smith Legacy Award visit https://bit.ly/3SaZeEJ