Audax Textielmuseum Tilburg

European Textile Trainees (ETT) 2011

For the fourth year in succession Audax Textielmuseum Tilburg is initiating the European Textile Trainees (ETT) project.

Eight talented students from six European study programmes are given the opportunity of attending a trainee programme in the Netherlands and Italy. The European academies and universities select master and advanced bachelor students to participate. The point of departure in this exchange programme is working and learning in the various textile sectors. The exchange of knowledge and experimentation and the application of materials and production form the central focus. In addition to this, the trainees are expected to work on their own design project within the options on offer.

The programme comprises two work periods. The first will be held in the Netherlands (Tilburg) the second in Italy (Como). The work period in Tilburg is from 6 September to 7 October 2011.

The eight trainees will have working space in the Textielmuseum at their disposal. They can work there seven days a week. The programme starts with diverse workshops. Furthermore, trainees are introduced to the museum library and the techniques carried out on the machines in the TextielLab. Working in the TextielLab, where the trainees are supervised by the product developers, is an essential part of the programme. In addition, they visit Dutch textile businesses and design studios in search of further inspiration. The coordination and composition of the programme is in the hands of the Textielmuseum, while the Design Academy Eindhoven supervises the design process.

On 6 October the trainees make their presentations in the Textielmuseum. Teachers, stakeholders and also the participants of the Expert Meeting can view the results of the design projects that the trainees themselves have developed.

From 8 October to 26 November 2011 the trainees are active in Italy. This second period starts with the CoMON programme, an event organised over several days by Servizi Industriali Srl., UICOMO. The trainees also present the design projects developed in the Textielmuseum and the TextielLab during this event. More information at www.comon-co.it.

After this week, the trainees start their practical training (internships) at various textile businesses in Como.

The partners in ETT 2011 are: Audax Textielmuseum Tilburg, Design Academy Eindhoven, Aalto University, School of Art and Design, Helsinki, Finland, National Academy of the Arts Bergen (KHIB), Norway, Hochshule fur Kunst und Design Burg Giebichenstein, Halle, Germany, Sint-Lucas Hogeschool,  Beeldende Kunst Gent, Belgium, Koninklijke Academie voor Schone Kunsten (KASK), Gent Belgium, The Danish Design School, Copenhagen, Denmark and COMO Textile institutes, Servizi Industriali Srl., UICOMO, Como, Italy