Short Description
Contextile 2026 is hosting two Public Art artistic residencies as part of its program, from August 10 to September 5, 2026, in Guimarães, Portugal.
We invite all interested artists to apply and submit a proposal for an artistic project to be developed and produced during one of these residencies. In this edition, the artistic residencies will focus on producing works of art and/or Public Art projects, to be implemented in the public spaces indicated below.
The work (artistic piece) developed during the residency may materialize through different textile techniques, namely Jacquard weaving, printing, Guimarães embroidery, among others. Contextile will act as a facilitator for the inherent processes and technologies, and as a mediator with partners in different working contexts (textile industry, artisans, etc.).
Accepted categories include object, installation, and public space intervention, with a reference to textiles, specifically natural fibers, as well as the thematic concept centered on environmental issues, raising awareness for sustainability, textile recycling, waste, and material reuse. Projects developed in collaboration or co-creation with the communities of Guimarães will be prioritized.
Theme: WEAVING THE GREEN
The world is hanging “by a thread”: vulnerable, stretched to its limit by ecological, social, and economic crises. But it is on this fragile thread, open to transformation, that we find the possibility to resist, imagine, and regenerate other futures.
The activities of the “Weaving the Green” project emerge from this horizon: between the urgency of action and the power of creation. Inspired by the vision of Guimarães as the European Green Capital 2026, they propose a living laboratory where art, science, and community intersect to experiment with alternatives and new ways of relating to the world.
Here, the territory is not just the context, but an essential part of the proposal. In Guimarães, the textile heritage is more than a reminiscence: it is matter, metaphor, and provocation. The thread, the fabric, the act of weaving or embroidering—symbols of transformation and connection—will be the starting point. Thus, each artistic work should relate, directly or poetically, to this textile universe, exploring both its materiality and its symbolic potential.
Public spaces will host the presentation of the works, inviting the community to a direct encounter with artistic creation.
This public dimension is not only aesthetic but also one of social and pedagogical activism, activating ecological awareness and drawing attention to the indicators that structure the Green Capital vision—climate change, water quality, sustainable mobility, waste management, and energy.
In this territory shaped by the textile industry, “Weaving the Green” also invites reflection on the environmental impacts of production—from water pollution to excessive consumption—and to reimagine more sustainable futures.
More than a symbolic practice, “Weaving the Green” is a practice of mediation between art, territory, and life.
Eligibility
All artists over 18 years of age, of any nationality, may participate on an individual basis. The objective is to foster the creation of contemporary textile works in public spaces, stimulating dialogue between art, territory, and community, and contributing to the enhancement of the urban environment through textile art.
Submission Requirements
- Artistic project to be developed, including a descriptive statement, letter of interest, and mock-ups/images/3D studies of the project intent;
- Fully completed application form (attached to these regulations);
- Updated Curriculum Vitae;
- Portfolio (PDF or link to a website).
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted in a single file with a maximum size of 20 MB to the email: call.contextile@gmail.com
Program Benefits & Awards
- The Biennial guarantees accommodation and meals during the residency period, as well as travel expenses for the artists.
- The Biennial guarantees a fee of €1,000 (one thousand euros) for each artist in residence.
- The planned budget for the production of each artwork/project has a (maximum) value of €1,500 (one thousand five hundred euros), to be managed by the Biennial.
- Occupational accident insurance will be activated for each artist.
- The Biennial ensures all necessary technical and material conditions, as well as supervision by the Artistic Direction, following approval of the preliminary project.
- The works resulting from the residencies will become part of the Biennial’s collection.
- Any proposed work and/or project must consider potential weather conditions and/or public safety, given that they will be installed in public spaces.
Entry Fee
None
Location
Guimarães, Portugal
Timeline
- Application Deadline: 20 December 2025
Website Link: https://contextile.pt/
