About
Us

The Contemporary Textile Studio Co-operative was established in 2006 by a group of textile artists seeking an affordable, properly equipped studio space for their work and a home for the promotion of textile arts and design. We're located in 401 Richmond Street West, a well-known cultural hub in downtown Toronto that is home to many galleries, artist-run centres, and art collectives. Our working studio is a prime 1200 square foot space where members produce work, teach, learn, interact, and innovate with other designers, artists, students, and the community.

Members have access to the studio on a full-time basis. Other emerging and professional artists, designers, and craftspersons participate in our extended studio community through ongoing workshops, classes, student residencies, textile talks, and special events.

We are a small group of members who direct, manage, and contribute to the development of the co-operative with the help of a part-time Studio Co-ordinator.

Please send Membership and other inquiries to info@textilestudio.ca

Our
Mission

Creating a community dedicated to textile arts, craft and design through education, innovation and research.

Our
Vision

Creating a community dedicated to textile arts, craft and design through education, innovation and research.

Diversity
Statement

We rely on our members’ diverse backgrounds and perspectives to spark innovation and creativity. The CTSC is strongly committed to equity and diversity within its community and especially welcomes applications from Black, Indigenous, and people of colour, persons with disabilities, persons of all sexual and gender identities, and others who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas and practices.

Frequently
Asked Questions

  • CTS Co-op is a group of Toronto-based textile artists, craftspersons and designers who work, teach, learn, interact, and innovate with others through our fully-equipped 1200 square foot studio at 401 Richmond Street West

    CTS is incorporated as a not-for-profit co-operative and currently operates as a voluntary association without full-time staff.

  • Notice of membership openings are promoted through our Mailing List, and on social media. You can also check the membership section of our website for any current calls and the deadline for submission.

    CTS members are emerging to mature artists and designers who have a passion for textile arts, design and/or craft. Our vision includes a commitment to the development and ongoing exploration of clean, safe, sustainable, and fair trade textile practices. We seek members who are willing to contribute to this vision and the development of the Co-op.

    You can also visit our Members section to see who is working in the space and the diversity of practice that the studio supports.

  • Co-op members share the ownership and direction of the co-op as well as having access to the space and equipment for production of their work and for occasional teaching. The Co-op is governed by a board of directors and maintains several committees including: Communications, Facilities and Environment, Programming, and Membership.

    To be a member requires a contractual commitment of at least one year, a one-time membership fee of $50, monthly Studio charges of $300 + HST (first year), and active involvement in at least one co-op committee, work group, or the board.

  • No. At present, membership means full-time, 24/7 access to the studio. Members are responsible and liable for the operation of the Studio and functioning of the Co-op. We also employ a Studio Coordinator, Erin MacKeen, who supports our day-to-day operations.

    However, there are different opportunities to access the studio and be part of our community:

    Part-time Student Residencies

    Studio Open Sessions

    The Leisa Rich Fibre Arts Residency Award

    OCADU Career Launcher Award

    Customized Group Classes

    Textile artists and enthusiasts are also welcome to join our extended Studio community by participating in workshops, lectures, and special events. Visit our gallery where you can see images of current and past workshops as well as explore workshops from our Visiting Artists.

  • If you are an established artist, designer or maker with a project in mind, or an institution looking to run a workshop and you need access to a fully equipped textile studio, please be in touch. We welcome any proposals, from a few days to multiple months. We offer a sliding scale for studio rentals.

  • You can join with our textile arts community by participating in our workshops, talks, and other special events. Volunteer opportunities may also be available depending on our programming needs and the number of hours offered are minimal. If you are a student in a textile arts related field, consider applying for a Student Residency.

  • The Co-op welcomes donations to support our vision, help us develop our programming, and enable us to reach out more actively to the larger community. Although we are non-profit, we are not a registered charity and cannot issue tax receipts.

    As a designated Artist Run Centre, we gratefully acknowledge the ongoing contributions of the Ontario Arts Council.

  • A co-operative is an enterprise that is owned and democratically controlled by the members who use its services. Co-operatives tend to follow a set of values and principles that are applied world-wide. Co-op values include: self help, democracy, equality, equity, and solidarity and are defined in the International Statement on the Co-operative Identity.

    Co-ops can provide virtually any product or service, and can be either non-profit or for-profit enterprises. There are more than 1900 co-ops and credit unions in Ontario alone with over 2.3 million members! CTS Co-op is organized as a not-for-profit, service co-operative.

  • Visit our website regularly for information about new programming, guest artists talks and workshops and join our Mailing List to stay in the loop.