Textile Art Biennial
29. 5.–14. 8. 2027
OPEN CALL
Students, faculty mentors and textile departments are invited to respond to the public call for participation in the Textile Art Biennial BIEN 2027,which will take place between May 29 and August 14 in Slovenian cities Kranj, Tržič, Jesenice, and Škofja Loka. The curatorial concept focuses on the theme "Traces of Grace".
Tradicija tekstilne misli / Textile School of Thought
Textile School of Thought is a BIEN programme of student projects that acknowledges the role of textile, art and design departments within faculties as spaces of knowledge transmission, where experiences, inherited practices and contemporary approaches intertwine.
The programme is based on the idea that within matrilinear traditions of knowledge transfer, textile knowledge is often woven into ways of learning, storytelling and connecting people, materials, institutions and traditions. We understand contemporary education as a living process of exchange between students, their mentors, professional collaborators and departments with their distinctive identities.
Together with their mentors, students are invited to respond to the open call and develop artistic responses to the theme Traces of Grace.
The selection of student projects is curated by Lovro Ivančić.
The open call is open until December 21, 2026.
We are preparing Q&A session for your questions. Meet us on September 30, 2026 at 10:00 CET here: https://meet.google.com/rhp-todi-phw
The curatorial concept focuses on the theme “Traces of Grace”. Read more about the theme and respond to it here: https://shorturl.at/WgSc4
IMPORTANT DATES
- Application deadline: including December 21, 2026 (until midnight CET)
- Announcement of results: until 10. 2. 2027
- Sending the artworks to the organizer: 10. 4.–1. 5. 2027
- The biennial takes place in four cities and includes several openings. It is organised so that participants can attend all openings. Opening dates: 29 May–3 June 2027.
- Duration of the exhibition: 29. 5.–14. 8. 2027
- Dismantling and return of artworks: 15. 8.–30. 9. 2027
GENERAL INFORMATION
- Students and student collectives from around the world may participate by submitting three works that are no more than three years old. Only online submissions will be considered.
- Submitted works should be thematically aligned with the central theme, Traces of Grace, and should be primarily created in the medium of textiles or in a medium that references textiles through material, technique, or concept.
APPLICATION FEE AND COSTS
- Student may apply free of charge through the Textile School of Thought application form.
- Applicants are responsible for the costs of shipping their works. The organiser is not liable for any damage that may occur during transport to the exhibition.
- The organiser covers the cost of returning the works and insures them up to a maximum value of €999 (see exceptions in the agreement). If a package exceeds the permitted dimensions and weight (maximum length of any side: 150 cm; combined length and girth: 300 cm; maximum weight: 20 kg), the organiser assumes no responsibility for returning the work at its own expense.
- Customs duties and related charges are the responsibility of the applicant. For more details, please refer to the agreement between the Organiser and the Artist: https://shorturl.at/MKyph
AWARD
- The ETA Award is intended for young people under the age of 29 who demonstrate exceptional manual skills in textile creation. The international award winner receives a two-week residency in Kranj, while the national award winner receives a one-week residency at the Lottozero textile laboratory in Prato, Italy.
Thank you!
BIEN team
BIEN is organised by the Carnica Institute, co-funded by the Ministry of Culture.
