Open Call: Experiment with digital weaving on the TextielLab’s TC2 loom

The TextielMuseum is a dynamic and creative museum. It is the only place in the world where design, art, fashion, heritage and innovation in textiles come together. The combination of inspiring exhibitions, educational programmes and the specialised TextielLab for research and production makes the museum unique. At the TextielLab, international and Dutch designers, artists and promising students work together with our textile experts to explore the endless possibilities of textiles.

The TextielLab in Tilburg is launching a new open call for makers who would like to spend a dedicated working period exploring the possibilities of digital Jacquard weaving on the Thread Controller 2 (TC2).

The TC2 is a unique computer-controlled Jacquard loom that offers plenty of scope for experimentation and research. While large industrial looms are primarily designed for production, the TC2 was developed to quickly translate ideas into woven material. Makers can easily experiment with imagery, structures, weave constructions, materials and colour, and test changes directly during the weaving process. This makes the loom particularly suitable for artists, designers and researchers looking to discover and develop new possibilities in textiles.

The residency is open to professional artists, designers and recent graduates who wish to independently investigate the possibilities of digital weaving on a TC2 loom, based on their own artistic, technical or conceptual question.

What does the residency offer?

The TextielLab offers a professional and innovative making environment where craftsmanship, technology and experimentation come together. During the working period, you will have the opportunity to experiment independently with the TC2 and further explore the possibilities of digital weaving. This may involve artistic, technical, material or conceptual research.

You will work largely independently and make use of the facilities, machinery and materials available at the TextielLab. Where needed, there is room for consultation and exchange with technical specialists and other professionals within the TextielLab. The residency is explicitly intended as a period of research and development. The final outcome does not need to be fully defined in advance. Experimenting with material, imagery, structure, colour and technique is an important part of the working period.

Research on the TC2 by yarn specialist Vera de Pont (left) and product developer Judith Peskens (right). Photo by Tommy de Lange.

Technical specifications of the TC2 loom:

• Total number of warp ends: 2,640
• Weaving width: 70 cm
• Number of warp ends per cm: 36
• Warp material: unbleached cotton

Designs for the TC2 can be created using the following software:

• Photoshop (or other image-processing software) in combination with the Loom Controller, the software used to control the loom.
• Any industrial Jacquard software available on the market that can save card files in one of the following file formats: JPG, TIFF, BMP or WIF.

What does the TextielLab offer?

• You will work within the context of a museum. The museum collection, exhibitions, presentations and library offer a wealth of inspiration for your research and development.
• Access to the TC2 loom and relevant facilities at the TextielLab and TextielMuseum.
• The TextielLab provides a technical introduction to the TC2 at the start of the residency and support where needed during the working period. You can consult with technical specialists about the possibilities of the loom, materials and technical challenges within your research. We do expect participants to be able to work independently and to have a basic understanding of computer-controlled weaving and design software.
• A fee of €200 per month, plus access to the yarn collection.

TextielLab. Photo by Patty van den Elshout.

Who is it for?

We are looking for candidates with a background in art, design and/or textiles, a clear research question and project plan, who are able to work independently and are curious about the possibilities of computer-controlled weaving.

Residents will primarily work independently with the TC2 and the available materials and should require minimal supervision. Knowledge of computer-controlled weaving is an advantage.

We welcome a range of disciplines, methods and artistic approaches. We consider a strong motivation and an inquisitive, research-driven attitude more important than having a clearly defined final outcome in advance.

During the residency, you will become part of the creative environment of the TextielLab and TextielMuseum. You will work alongside other makers, researchers and technical specialists and will be encouraged to exchange knowledge, experiences and ideas.

We expect residents to leave behind samples and/or other relevant material from their research for the archive. We also ask participants to actively share their research process, for example through an open studio, presentation, conversation or online report. In this way, participants contribute to knowledge exchange within the TextielLab and the wider network of makers and researchers.

How to apply?

Would you like to take part? Please submit a project proposal by Friday 30 October 2026, explaining:

• What you would like to make or research, and what you would like to develop during the working period;
• Which materials you expect to use;
• Why you would like to work with the TC2 loom.

After the deadline, all applications will be assessed by a selection committee consisting of technical and artistic/content specialists from the TextielMuseum | TextielLab.

Applicants will be informed about the selection approximately four weeks after the deadline. If selected, you will be invited to an intake meeting to discuss the project, planning and practical preparations.

Applications will be assessed based on the quality of the proposal, the relevance of the research question, the motivation for working with the TC2 and the expected contribution to knowledge development within the TextielLab.

What should you submit?

• CV – maximum 1 A4 page
• Portfolio – maximum 5 pages
• Project description – maximum 500 words
• Visual material – maximum 5 pages

Apply here

Practical information

• Open call deadline: Friday 30 October 2026
• Selection announcement: Friday 27 November 2026, approximately four weeks after the deadline 
• Working period: January–June 2027, for a minimum of 3 and a maximum of 6 months
• Working days: Tuesday–Sunday, by arrangement, during opening hours
• Location: TextielMuseum | TextielLab, Tilburg, the Netherlands
• Fee: €200 per month, plus access to the yarn collection
• Costs: one-off contribution of €350 for the technical introduction
• Travel and accommodation: travel and accommodation costs are not covered

Questions?

If you have any questions about the residency, please contact Noortje van den Elzen at talent@textiellab.nl.