OPEN CALL: Unravel

Gawthorpe Textiles Collection (GTC) in partnership with the British Textile Biennial (BTB) invites three artists, researchers or curators to join Unravel, an 18‑month programme that investigates the global histories held within GTC’s collection. The three residencies each focus on a different thematic area – West African Textiles, South Asian Textiles, and Lancashire Export Textiles – and run for approximately six months. Residents will receive a £5,000 artist/researcher fee, up to £1,500 for materials and up to £1,000 for travel, as well as supported access to the collection, mentorship from curators, and introductions to relevant communities and scholars. No prior textile experience is required; applicants from any discipline (contemporary art, design, writing, film, performance, sound, socially‑engaged practice, material research, etc.) are welcome. Applications are submitted as a single PDF to emily@britishtextilebiennial.co.uk by noon on 7 December 2026. Selected residents will develop new work for British Textile Biennial 2028, with flexible scheduling between February 2027 and February 2028. The call is open to UK‑based applicants and international artists who can cover travel costs, with a travel budget provided to support flights, accommodation and visa expenses.

Artist/researcher fee, materials budget, travel budget, access to GTC collection, curatorial support, introductions to communities and researchers

Open to artists, makers and researchers of any discipline; no need to be a textile artist; UK‑based applicants preferred due to budget limits, but international applicants may apply if they can cover travel costs; must be able to work in‑person with the collection in Lancashire.