The Linen Project is open to considering initiatives and proposals to collaborate, in addition to offering the following environments. Subscribe to our newsletter or follow us on Instagram to stay up to date with developments.

The Shared Stewardship Initiative

Participation in the Linen Project’s Shared Stewardship community is based on the commitment to a year-long process – from flax cultivation to fibre processing to material outcomes – learning with and from each other, human and non-human, and sharing the risks, responsibilities and joy that this brings. Conditions of stewardship are reviewed by the group per season.

1m2 vlas

Since 2018, The Linen Project has been exploring the possibility of producing our own textiles and restoring small-scale linen production. We have noticed a lot of interest from people wanting to participate. That’s why you can get involved yourself in 2024. We invite you to cultivate 1m2 of flax in your own garden, inspired by the Swedish initiative 1 KVM LIN. Under the guidance of experts, you will go through the entire process from seed to textile. Read more and register via Crafts Council Nederland.

Linnen Kavels

The Linen Project has explored and undertaken all of the processes involved in small-scale industrialized flax fibre processing and linen production. The next step is to exchange, strengthen and grow this knowledge and network with enthusiastic, committed citizens and companies, together sharing the care, responsibility, risk and potential of establishing a local linen economy in the Netherlands.

Linnen Kavels – named for the land lots on which the fibre is cultivated – is an opportunity for potential partners and interested parties and individuals to get acquainted with and make use of the textile outcomes of this process; the first to be produced and offered by The Linen Project, in partnership with Enschede Textielstad. Connect to express your interest.

Crafts Council Nederland Meet the Master Masterclasses

Where can you learn a creative craft at a high level? Directly with the master. Crafts Council Nederland invites specialised local artisans to share their practice, their haptic knowledge and their technical expertise during the Meet the Master masterclasses.

Various linen- and textile-related workshops are facilitated throughout the year, ranging from beginner to advanced participant skill levels. A series of traditional flax-processing workshops are also offered in connection with the Shared Stewardship initiative. Visit Crafts Council Nederland for more information on upcoming and past masterclasses, from weaving linen to mastering (natural) dye techniques.

Public Activities at the Netherlands Open Air Museum

The Linen Project has been cultivating and processing flax using traditional methods with the Netherlands Open Air Museum since 2018. We enthusiastically invite our wider community and the general public to participate in the harvest activities at our flax field, taking place in the summer. Following custom, there is also winter work to be done: during a three-day Winterschool, presented together with Crafts Council Nederland, participants have the opportunity to learn about manually processing and working with the flax fibres.

The Netherlands Open Air Museum’s regular programming features several traditional flax-related activities, including milling Linseed for oil and handweaving linen on the loom. The museum’s collection is also home to numerous examples of historical linen items and garments. The exhibition Makers in View, exploring the role of artisans and traditional crafts in addressing contemporary issues, includes a contribution by Linen Steward Kelly Konings. Visit Netherlands Open Air Museum for opening hours and admissions information.

Practice Held in Common Research Track

Participate in a dynamic practice-based, hands-on learning community – The Linen Project offers an immersive Research Track within Practice Held in Common, a two-year MA in Fine Art and Design at ArtEZ University of the Arts, Arnhem. Makers and researchers from all disciplines and backgrounds – economics, agriculture, natural, human and applied sciences, fine art, craft and design, are encouraged to apply.

Participants develop and grow their practice in alignment with The Linen Project and its community, and have access to a large and extremely diverse group of stakeholders and project partners. Participants are invited to contribute to the various activities of The Linen Project, to develop their own research and making practice and or create poetic interventions.