BIEN 2027 Textile Art Biennial Open Call

The BIEN 2027 Textile Art Biennial open call is the way into an exhibition in Slovenia, an international exhibition of contemporary textile art held across four towns: Kranj, Tržič, Škofja Loka and Jesenice. The 2027 theme is "Traces of Grace", and the exhibition runs from 29 May to 14 August 2027. Artists and artist collectives from anywhere in the world can apply online with up to three works until 21 December 2026.

A biennial is an exhibition that takes place every two years. BIEN uses that rhythm to bring together textile art in its widest sense: weaving, embroidery, knitting, felt and printed fabric, but also sculpture, installation and design that work with textile through material, technique or idea. The call explicitly welcomes artists, designers and researchers.

Applying costs €10, and students can apply for free. Selected artists are shown in the biennial's exhibitions, and the jury awards a residency in Kranj as the main prize, with a separate award for young makers.

Who Can Apply to the Textile Art Biennial Open Call?

The call is open to individual artists and artist collectives from around the world. Designers and researchers are invited to respond too, and the main award is open to applicants of any age.

Works should be made primarily in the medium of textiles, or refer to textiles through material, technique or concept. That makes BIEN 2027 relevant to:

• Weavers, embroiderers, knitters and felt makers
• Fibre and textile artists working in sculpture or installation
• Fashion and textile designers with experimental pieces
• Artists and researchers whose work is about textile processes
• Students of textile, design and fine art (free application route)

What Can You Submit?

Each applicant can submit one, two or three works. Applying with a single work is just as valid as applying with three. Every work must be no more than three years old and should respond to the theme "Traces of Grace".

How Works Are Counted

• A single artwork made of several elements counts as one work.
• A triptych counts as one work.
• Three related works with three separate titles count as three works.

Size and Weight Limits for Shipping

Packages sent for the exhibition must stay within these limits: no side longer than 150 cm, length plus girth no more than 300 cm, and a maximum weight of 20 kg. Oversized packages are not returned at the organiser's expense, so check the packed size before you apply with a large piece.

Application Fees

The application fee for the Textile Art Biennial open call is €10 and is not refundable. Students can apply for free through the separate Textile School of Thought form. Applicants who live in or are affected by a war or conflict zone can ask for the fee to be waived by writing to bien@layer.si.

What Do Selected Artists Receive?

• Exhibition: one, two or three of your works shown in BIEN 2027, chosen by the jury
• Openings: an invitation to all openings in the four towns
• Return shipping and insurance: the organiser pays for returning the works and insures them up to €999, with exceptions set out in the agreement
• Main award: a residency in Kranj of up to four weeks for one artist or a collective of up to two members, covering travel, accommodation, a daily allowance and production costs, taking place in 2028 or 2029
• ETA Award (under 29): for exceptional use of textile craft techniques; the international winner receives a two-week residency in Kranj, and the national winner a one-week residency at the Lottozero textile laboratory in Prato, Italy

The main award is open to all ages and is announced at the opening in Kranj on 29 May 2027.

Submission Requirements

Only online submissions are considered. The application is made through the form linked from the official open call page; entries sent any other way are not reviewed.

It helps to have these ready before you open the form:

• Good photographs of each work, including a full view
• Title, year, materials, technique and dimensions for every piece
• A short text connecting the work to the theme "Traces of Grace"

The exhibition rules and the artist–organiser agreement, linked from the call page, give the details on shipping, customs and insurance.

Important Rules

• Up to three works per applicant, each no more than three years old.
• Applicants pay the cost of sending works to Slovenia; the organiser pays the return.
• Customs duties are the applicant's responsibility.
• The organiser is not liable for damage in transport.
• Works must fit the size and weight limits for shipping.

When Will Applicants Be Notified?

The jury, made up of Dominika Krogulska-Czekalska, Almina Duraković Korošec and Lovro Ivančić, selects one, two or three works from each successful application. Results are announced by 10 February 2027.

Things to Consider

• Read the theme closely. "Traces of Grace" is open, but the jury is choosing work that responds to it. Explain the connection in a few clear sentences.
• Send fewer, stronger works. One excellent piece is a complete application.
• Check the dates of your works. Anything older than three years is not eligible.
• Pack small if you can. The 150 cm and 20 kg limits matter for large textiles; works that fold or roll travel more easily.
• Students should use the free route. The Textile School of Thought form saves the fee.
• Visiting instead? Our BIEN 2027 Textile Art Biennial visitor guide covers the towns, dates and openings.
• Budget for outbound shipping and customs, especially if you are sending from outside the European Union.

Apply to the Open Call

Ready to apply?

Apply to BIEN 2027

The full call, the theme text, the exhibition rules and the application form are on the official BIEN website.

Looking for more open calls? Browse all competitions and opportunities on Good Stuff Weekly.

Last verified: October 9, 2026