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OPEN CALL: Co-creation group 'Queer Stitches'
19 August 2024
Wanted: Cultural professionals
In June 2025, the TextielMuseum will open an exhibition on how textiles play a role in the work of artists from the LGBTQIA+ community. In it, we aim not only to highlight how textiles are deployed in works of contemporary artists, but also to provide a historical perspective. After all, textiles have always played a role in the search for one's own identity, in forming communities and resisting established (gender, sexual and intersectional) norms. This story is best told by queer artists themselves, which is why we want to put together a co-creation group with cultural professionals who wish to work with us to shape the content of this exhibition.
Photo: Patty van den Elshout
Members of the co-creation group will work together with an (external) programme maker/ community organizer, the exhibition's project leader (Gaia van Egmond, she/her), the curator of the TextielMuseum (Adelheid Smit, she/they) and curator-in-training Lauren Hermans (she/her) to define the exhibition's narrative, selection of artists and audience mediation in a number of sessions. In addition, members individually and from their own expertise, offer advice in the content preparation of the exhibition, for example concerning audience mediation and the editing of texts. Therefore, we are looking for a diverse, intersectional group of art professionals with different skills. We are looking for four members for the co-creation group and one local programme maker/community organizer (who will moderate the group sessions). Please have a look at the description of these positions below*.
A detail of the knitted work by Yamuna Forzani. Photo: Tommy de Lange
In short, you are:
- A cultural professional (artist, curator, writer, researcher) living in the Netherlands or Flanders.
Please have a look at the description of the profiles below* - LGBTQIA+ identifying
- A textile enthusiast/uses textiles as a medium in your work
- Available for four three-hour sessions on: 1 or 3 October, 17 October, 31 October, 14 November
Participation entails:
- Contributing ideas on the storyline and message of the exhibition
- Making suggestions for artists and creators of interest for the exhibition
- Participating in a joint evaluation after the opening of the exhibition
We offer:
- All members of the co-creation group will each receive a fee of €2000,- (excl. VAT). Additionally, your travel expenses to Tilburg will be reimbursed.
- Besides that, the different profiles have additional work, which will be discussed and remunerated separately.
- Naturally, you can visit the museum free of charge during the exhibition and participate in the events linked to the exhibition
*Profiles we are looking for:
- Researcher/(art) historian: The exhibition aims to show the relationship between queerness and textiles in art from a historical perspective, considering alternative forms of generations and (chosen) families. While putting together the exhibition, you will keep this historical framework in mind. In the run-up to the exhibition, you advise the curator in selecting and shaping the final objects, stories and connections in the exhibition.
- Advisor intersectional identities: The position of LGBTQIA+ people in society is determined not only by gender and sexual norms but also by colonialism, racism, xenophobia, ablism, classism and other forms of oppression. Therefore, the inclusion of intersectional perspectives is not only important on a representative level but should also be embedded in the design of the exhibition. You will bring that perspective and help think about the pluralism of the selection and stories in the exhibition.
- Language advisor/editor: Tone of voice and inclusive language are essential to the audience experience. You have experience in text editing and have know-how of applying appropriate terminology regarding gender, sexuality and the LGBTQIA+ community. In this role, you will advise on how to use (and if required explain) these terms in public texts for our wide audience. You will be one of the editors of the texts, therefore you must have an excellent command of both Dutch and English.
- Crafting Spider in the queer web: In this project, we want to connect with queer communities that are already working with textile (crafting) techniques. We find it important that the community perspective is also reflected in the exhibition. You will advise from this perspective during the content sessions and possibly complement the programme maker's network in the preparation for peripheral programming.
Do you recognise yourself in one or more profiles, or are you missing a profile that you think should not be missing? Do not hesitate to respond!
More information
Photo: Josefina Eikenaar
About us
The TextielMuseum is a dynamic and creative museum located in a former textile factory in Tilburg. It is the only place in the world where textile design, art, fashion, industrial heritage and innovation come together. The combination of inspiring exhibitions, educational programmes and the specialised TextielLab for creating and innovating textiles makes the museum unique in its kind. In the TextielLab, the beating heart of the TextielMuseum, (inter)national artists and designers explore the endless possibilities of textiles together with our experts.
The TextielMuseum is committed to being an inclusive and safe environment for its public and staff. We can and always want to keep learning in this regard, which is also why we feel it is important to make this project in dialogue with the LGBTQIA+ community, with both LGBTQIA+ people in our own team, and beyond.
Interested?
We aim for a diverse, intersectional composition of the co-creation group, all interested parties are warmly invited to respond. Depending on the composition of the co-creation group, the language of communication during the sessions is likely to be English.
If you have any questions about this open call, e.g. because you have certain needs in terms of accessibility, please contact curator Adelheid Smit (she/they) via [email protected] or +31 651294932.
Apply by emailing a concise CV and/or portfolio and short motivation (max 400 words) to [email protected] by September 3rd. Please mention which profile you're applying for.
Plan your visit
Buy a ticketInterested?
Apply by emailing a concise CV and/or portfolio and short motivation (max 400 words) to [email protected] by 3 September. Please mention which profile you're applying for.
If you have any questions about this open call, e.g. because you have certain needs in terms of accessibility, please contact curator Adelheid Smit (she/they) via
or +31 651294932.
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