Organizer Information
Textile Art Factory is a project by Lottozero, developed in collaboration with the Prato Textile Museum and Studio Corte 17, supported by the Tuscany Regional Program FSE+ 2021–2027. The program merges contemporary art with textile practices, offering residencies that foster research, non-formal training, production, and professional development for Italian-speaking curators and artists under 36 who are currently unemployed, unoccupied, or inactive.
Title & Description
Textile Art Factory – Curatorial Residency 2026
The first open call invites one curator for a six-month residency in Prato (Italy) from February 16 – August 16, 2026. The selected curator will work alongside four resident artists, gaining access to Lottozero’s textile lab, the Museo del Tessuto archives, and Studio Corte 17’s industrial network, engaging with local manufacturers, artisans, and professionals.
The residency includes: workshops on textile techniques, theoretical sessions covering art history, curatorial strategies, cultural project design, conservation and restoration of textile artworks, cultural heritage legislation, and arts communication, mentoring, and visits to local studios and textile companies. The curator will lead a group exhibition and contribute to the digital and print-on-demand catalogue.
Category
Curatorial Practice, Textile Art, Contemporary Art, Research
Eligibility
Applicants must:
- Be 18–35 years old
- Hold at least a high school diploma
- Be unemployed, unoccupied, or inactive, or employed with the intention of starting a self-employed or entrepreneurial activity in the cultural sector
- Not be enrolled in any study or training courses simultaneously
- For foreign citizens: Italian language proficiency level B1 minimum
Program Benefits
- Six-month residency in Prato, Italy
- Access to textile lab, archives, and industrial network
- Workshops, theoretical sessions, and mentoring
- Visits to local studios and textile companies
- Lead a group exhibition with four resident artists
- Contribution to catalogue production
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted exclusively online:
🔗 lottozero.org/textile-art-factory
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: December 18, 2025 — 23:59 CET
- Residency Period: February 16 – August 16, 2026
Location
Prato, Italy
Additional Details
Personal data will be processed exclusively for the purposes of the selection procedure, in compliance with EU Regulation 679/2016 (GDPR).
