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In the expanding world of contemporary textile art, artist residencies offer unparalleled opportunities for growth, experimentation, and global connection. Whether you’re working in weaving, quilting, embroidery, felting, or digital textiles, these programs provide time, space, resources, and—often—financial support to deepen your artistic practice.
This curated guide highlights residencies that are especially welcoming to fiber and textile-based artists. It’s designed to be a practical, inspiring resource you’ll want to revisit often as you plan your creative journey.
✂️ North America-Based Residencies
1. Textile Arts Center (TAC) – Brooklyn, NY, USA
Program: Textile Artist-in-Residence (AIR)
Duration: 9 months
Focus: Professional development, community building, and skill refinement
Perks: Group critiques, textile classes, artist talks, and an end-of-residency exhibition
Website: textileartscenter.com
TAC’s AIR is one of the most robust programs for emerging textile artists in the U.S., blending practice with business training and critical dialogue.
2. Houston Center for Contemporary Craft – Houston, TX, USA
Program: Artist Residency Program
Duration: 3 to 12 months
Focus: All craft disciplines, with strong support for fiber artists
Perks: Monthly stipend, studio space, and gallery representation
Website: crafthouston.org
This art residency is ideal for textile artists interested in engaging with a broader craft audience and contributing to public programs.
3. Creekside Arts – Colorado, USA
Program: The Libby Palmquist Fiber Arts Sponsorship
Duration: Varies
Focus: Fiber and textile-based practices
Perks: Full residency funding through sponsorship
Website: creeksidearts.org
This exciting new opportunity helps remove financial barriers for fiber artists, supporting creative exploration in a mountain environment.
🧵 Europe-Based Textile Art Residencies
4. AiR Green Studio – Dovre Mountains, Norway
Program: Textile Artist Residency
Duration: 1 to 2 months
Focus: Textile-specific exploration in nature
Perks: Private studio, natural dye materials, tranquil mountain surroundings
Website: airgreenstudio.com
A haven for slow processes, natural fibers, and contemplative making. This residency attracts artists looking for connection to land and material.
5. Hypertextile Residency (Switzerland)
Program: Thematic Textile Residencies (e.g., tufting, embroidery, weaving)
Duration: Varies
Focus: Deep dive into traditional and experimental textile methods
Website: tada-residency.ch
Each cycle in the Hypertextile series revolves around a specific textile theme, inviting artists to engage in material innovation with mentorship and community support.
6. Det Vilde Spinderi – Denmark
Program: Residency for Textile Artists
Duration: 4 to 6 weeks
Focus: Textiles, sustainability, and local collaboration
How to Apply: Via form on their website
This residency emphasizes community engagement, craftsmanship, and creative sustainability.
7. Studio H Canada
Location: Quebec, Canada
Focus: Fiber, sculpture, installation, mixed media
Perks: Quiet retreat space, open studio visits
Apply through: Res Artis – Studio H
A cross-border gem for North American artists looking for bilingual exchange and a reflective environment for fiber-focused work.
🌍 Global & Networked Opportunities for Textile Art Residency
8. Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts – Gatlinburg, TN, USA
Program: Pentaculum and Winter Residencies
Duration: 1 to 2 weeks (Pentaculum) or up to 3 months (Winter Residency)
Focus: Multi-disciplinary with strong fiber cohort
Website: arrowmont.org
Pentaculum in particular fosters intense peer exchange among textile artists, offering access to top-tier facilities.
9. Eutopia Art Residency – Slovakia (via Res Artis)
Program: International Residency Program
Duration: 1 to 2 months
Focus: Open to various disciplines including textile art
Website: resartis.org – Eutopia
Located in Central Europe, Eutopia is a great gateway for artists exploring textile traditions in Eastern Europe or hybrid practices.
10. Punjab Nature x Craft Residency – Punjab, India
textile art residencyProgram: Cultural Immersion & Textile Craft Residency
Dates: February 15 – March 1, 2026
Focus: Phulkari embroidery, Khaddar & Khes weaving, traditional crafts
Perks: Lectures, hands-on workshops, local artisan collaborations, studio time, curated local travel
Brochure: More information
Curated by artist, author, and anthropologist Sayali Goyal, this residency blends skill-building with cultural immersion in rural Punjab. Learn directly from communities preserving centuries-old textile traditions like Phulkari embroidery and handweaving, alongside workshops in pottery and woodcraft. Designed for artists, designers, photographers, and creatives who appreciate slow, meaningful travel and long-term collaboration.
🧷 BONUS: Residency Networks and Search Engines
To discover even more opportunities:
- Res Artis: The largest directory of international residencies. Filter by discipline, location, and funding availability.
- TransArtists: Another reliable platform with a wide range of textile-friendly residencies.
- ArtConnect: A wide selection of art residency opportunities including paid, and unpaid, local and international.
- Artist Communities Alliance (ACA): A non-profit organization that supports and connects artist residency programs globally
- Rivet (formerly RES): A search platform designed to help you find and activate artist residency opportunities
Tips for Applying to A Textile Art Residency
- Tailor your proposal to each residency’s mission—read past participant bios and projects.
- Highlight process and materials—textile residencies often want to see how you work, not just finished pieces.
- Show engagement—mention how you’ll contribute to the community or learn from local textile traditions.
- Apply early—many of these programs are competitive and close applications 6–12 months in advance.
Check out this article for more tips from an artist who has experience in being an artist in residence.
Final Thread
Residencies can be a turning point in an artist’s practice, especially in a medium like textile art, where process and place are central. Whether you seek stillness or collaboration, deep research or technical experimentation, there’s a residency here waiting to support your fiber-forward vision.
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