Textile Art Factory is a residency programme that bridges contemporary art and textile practices
Developed by Lottozero in partnership with the Museo del Tessuto di Prato and Studio Corte 17, and supported by the Regional Programme Tuscany FSE+ 2021–2027, the project connects emerging artists and curators with the cultural and industrial heritage of the Prato textile district.
It promotes non-formal learning, artistic research, and professional development for creatives under 35, encouraging dialogue between art, textiles, and the territory.
Structured in two six-month residency cycles, the programme offers an immersive environment for learning, experimentation, and professional growth. Residents have access to Lottozero’s textile laboratory, the archives and collections of the Museo del Tessuto, and Studio Corte 17’s industrial heritage network, combining artistic production with technical expertise and cultural context.
The residencies include:
Workshops and training on contemporary art, curating, and textile techniques;
Mentoring and studio practice with local and international professionals;
Collaborations with textile manufacturers and artisans of the Prato district;
Public exhibitions and publications to share research outcomes.
exhibition program
TCN invites guest curators to join its curatorial team proposing an exhibition theme to which other curators react with an artwork proposition. This dialogue shapes a dynamic exchange of views, methods and perspectives on textile.
Curated by Caroline Kipp
Curated by Zoe Yeh
Curated by Bukola Oyebode
Curated by Hilde Skancke Pedersen
Textile Culture Net is co-funded by the European Union, grant agreement n°101099994, views and opinions expressed in this publication are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.
Textile Culture Net X British Textile Biennial 2025
In 2025 TCN collaborates with the British Textile Biennial (BTB) on a special online exhibition, created to explore the Biennial’s theme through the global perspective of Textile Culture Net (TCN).
Co-curated by BTB Artistic Director Laurie Peake and curators from the TCN network, the exhibition follows TCN’s distinctive digital format. Responding to the theme of BTB25: The Future Was Always There – from sea snails to Star Wars, it connects ancestral knowledge, contemporary practices, and speculative futures.
