Are you a beginning professional artist/designer working with textiles, eager to connect with peers and learn more? Apply now for the Advanced Textile Program at TextielLab.
Introduction
TextielMuseum | TextielLab aims to become the ideal learning and working environment for makers. As part of this ambition, we want to support emerging artists and designers with an interest in Textiles, through specialized additional training in the early stages of their career. With the Advanced Textile Program (ATP), we want to generate synergy between textile talents and experts from different fields and backgrounds internationally, facilitate experiment at a cutting-edge level and offer a podium to share this with a wider audience. Once a year we invite an international group of recent graduates to develop their skills and experience together in the ATP. Participants are given access to the resources and facilities of TextielMuseum | TextielLab and the guidance of an inspiring group of experts and mentors in workshops, lectures and more.
About the program
The Advanced Textile Program is a 10-week hybrid program in which you will be connected to the experts in our Lab and Museum and several outstanding professionals from our network, such as artist Otobong Nkanga and the design team of Kvadrat. Together you will dive into the possibilities and challenges of textile fabrication, with an extra focus on sustainability. The program takes place part online and part on-site, including a two-week working period in Tilburg in which you get the chance to collaboratively experiment in our lab on both an artistic and technical level, use our extensive textile collection, library and yarn supply together with a varied group of textile professionals. This year ten candidates can take part in the ATP which will run in October-December 2024.
Otobong Nkanga working with weaving master Stef Miero in the TextielLab, photo: Tommy de Lange
Is this for me?
The program is aimed at starting professionals educated in art/design/architecture and related fields (graduated max. 2-3 years) with a demonstrable affinity for textiles, concern for sustainability and a drive to learn more. This program is not intended for students; however, a diploma is not required if you can demonstrate a sufficient level of experience. If you are a student interested in working with us, have a look at the possibilities regarding internships or graduation projects.
Requirements
You need to be available for about 2-3 days a week for the duration of the program. To participate online, you need to have access to a computer with a webcam, a headset with a microphone and a stable internet connection. In addition, you need to be able to travel to and stay in Tilburg between October 26th and November 8th for two full work weeks at TextielLab. Proficiency in English is required.
Costs
We charge a fee of €1.000,- for participation and material use. Free participation is possible for those who cannot afford to participate otherwise (please indicate in your application).
Bear in mind that there will be additional costs for travel and accommodation which you’ll have to arrange for yourself, including the required travel documents such as visa etc.
Application process
From March 30th, you can apply through the following application form (link).
You’ll be asked to answer some questions about yourself, your work and your motivation for joining the ATP. You also need to provide a link to a digital portfolio to visually represent your work and your affinity with textiles. The portfolio should be a pdf file of max. 3 pages A4, containing mostly images and only short amounts of text (less is more!). Applications that do not meet these requirements will not be considered.
The deadline for applications is Friday, April 26st 2024. A jury will review all applications and will send a response about three weeks after the application deadline passes. 20 candidates will be invited to do a full application, of whom 10 will be selected.
Before you apply, please have a good look at our website www.textiellab.nl/en/ to get an impression of what we do and how we work.
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