Our History

The name Cockpit Arts derives from the site in which the Holborn incubator is situated. Cockpit Yard was originally an eighteenth century cockerel fighting arena. In 1745 it was taken over by a cabinet maker and so its roots as a place for 'craft' began.

Cockpit Arts Timeline

1986	Camden Recycling creates small 'starter' units at Cockpit Yard for young unemployed people starting up a craft business.
1988	Taken over by Christopher Baggott, Cockpit expands into a community of 20 workshops under the banner of Cockpit Studios. One of the first to introduce 'Open Studios' events.
1993	Cockpit Arts is formally incorporated and becomes a registered charity
2000	The organisation expands into a hub of 100 designer-makers
2002	Vanessa Swann is appointed as Chief Executive
2002	The Deptford premises opened – accommodating a further 65 designer-makers
2004	A programme of professional development workshops introduced.
2005	A business incubator model is introduced.
2005	Sees the first of a series of high profile site-specific installations by Cockpit Arts designer-makers - these include The Great Eastern Hotel, The Shop at Bluebird and Canary Wharf Window Showcase.
2007	The professional development workshops are opened out to creative-businesses operating outside Cockpit Arts, reaching a further 300 designer makers each year.
2008	Research findings exploring business activity & performance in the craft sector are released.
2009	Cockpit Arts' Maker Difference campaign generates over 12,000 supporters for designer-makers. Cockpit designer-makers report an average 158% increase in profit. Cockpit also launches a pilot Creative Careers programme.
2010	The Making It blog and workshops and seminars are launched. Cockpit Arts becomes a fully fledged Social Enterprise.