TEXTILE
ARTS CENTRE
Photo: Anna-Maria Vaskovskaja
Stuudio Labus is an artist-run residency programme primarily designed for fiber and textile artists. Our primary aim is to cultivate an environment that fosters creativity, experimentation, and introspection for artists working within the textile field. We strive to offer a platform for sharing skills, experiences, and connections within the world of fiber and textile art.
Join us in shaping the future of textile artistry, where every thread tells a story.
Apply for our open call 2026
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Prepare your materials
Gather the documents you need for your application: a CV outlining your experience, a short project proposal describing what you plan to work on during the residency, a portfolio, and your preferred residency dates between May and September 2026.
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Submit your application
Send all materials in one email to tekstiilikeskus@gmail.com by August 31, 2025. We’re happy to assist with travel questions or grant applications if needed.
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Wait for selection results
We can host one artist at a time, up to eight residents in total for the season. After the selection, we’ll arrange a video call to confirm details and exchange the residency contract. The residency fee is due by January 1, 2026.
The Textile Arts Centre (Tekstiilikeskus) offers a seasonal residency from May to September for textile and fiber artists, and also welcomes artists and writers from other fields wishing to immerse themselves in the textile world.The residency provides space and time for creative exploration, experimentation, and focused work within a peaceful small-town setting in Estonia. Each residency period lasts 2–3 weeks.
Artists are accommodated in a house, an old library, where each resident has a private bedroom. The kitchen, living room, and bathroom are shared, and the house also features a cinema room with a projector and portable screen. Outside, the large garden includes a firepit, outdoor well, flax seed mountain, and a cozy café corner, offering space for relaxation, inspiration, or informal gatherings.
The well-equipped studio provides access to three sewing machines, a tufting gun, two large weaving looms (up to 400 × 200 cm), a knitting machine, punch needle tools, and a wide selection of basic materials such as yarn, wire, glue, paper, and paint. Artists can also explore the Textile Tool Library, which houses curated 10-piece sets of both old and new textile tools—ideal for workshops or technique exploration.
If desired, residents may participate in guided technique workshops during their stay. While the centre does not host formal exhibitions, artists are warmly encouraged to initiate open studios, workshops, or pop-up events, with full support from our team in organizing, promoting, and sourcing materials.
A key part of the residency experience is an introduction to Estonia’s vibrant textile and fiber art scene. We offer studio visits, local cultural excursions, and community events, helping artists connect with both peers and the surrounding context. Residents are also invited to contribute reflections or documentation to Koiliblikas, the magazine of the Estonian Textile Artists’ Association, which represents over 100 textile professionals across the country.
The residency is located in a small town with a library, grocery shop, post box, cultural centre, and a train stationwith direct links to Tallinn (40 minutes) and Tartu (2.5 hours). The nearest international airport is Tallinn Airport. We provide support with travel planning, local logistics, and material sourcing.
The residency fee is 100 euros per week. Meals are not included. Artists are responsible for covering their own living costs, but we are happy to assist with grant applications and provide official confirmation letters upon request.
For more information, images, and updates, visit www.tekstiilikeskus.ee or follow us on Instagram @tekstiilikeskus.
Our History
Our first residents were welcomed in Tallinn, Männiku.
In February 2024, we relocated to Lehtse, a charming village in the heart of Estonia.
Q&A
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The program welcomes professional textile artists, designers, researchers, and multidisciplinary creatives whose work engages with fibre, fabric, dyeing, weaving, or related practices.
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The aim is to foster artistic development, cultural exchange, and dialogue between local textile traditions and contemporary practices.
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The residency offers one shared studio room equipped with a large work table and a horizontal loom. Before arrival, residents select tools and materials from our inventory list, which are prepared for their use in the studio. A knitting machine with an intarsia extension is available in the guest room.
The garden features a firepit, café area, and plenty of open space for experimental or large-scale installation work. A covered veranda can be adapted to function as an additional studio or a semi-public venue for workshops or small events. Outdoor furniture is also available to help set up activities or presentations in the garden.
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Yes, our team offers introductions to local materials and techniques, and we can connect residents with regional experts if they wish to deepen their research.
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We organize excursions and studio visits to introduce residents to regional textile heritage and makers.
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No — the program focuses on exploration and research. However, many residents choose to share work-in-progress during open studio events.
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The fee covers studio access, accommodation, basic materials, and participation in organized events such as excursions or studio visits.
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Travel is usually self-funded, but we provide invitation letters to support grant applications.
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We announce an open call once a year. However, we also accept applications on a rolling basis — occasionally, there may be an extra spot available outside the main call.
