The Museum for Textiles is the only museum of its kind in Canada and has gained an international reputation for its collection of over 8,000 items from around the world. The collection goes far beyond simple fabric swatches and includes carpets, quilts, garments, and ceremonial objects.

These pieces of artistic workmanship convey the importance of textile arts throughout history around the world. The historic and ethnographic pieces give insight into other cultures, as the museum has representation from China, Japan, Africa, South and Central America Europe and the Pacific.

Incorporated in 1975, the Museum for Textiles has grown from a modest collection to a museum that requires 15,000 square feet of exhibition space along with an additional 10,000 square feet for a conservation laboratory. Also featured is an auditorium for lectures, a symposia and film presentations. There is a fine gift and bookstore as well, which carries one of a kind textile gifts and unique books in this area of interest.

The public program is ever changing and special exhibits are held periodically and are augmented by an educational program. The Contemporary Gallery complements the exhibition program by examining current issues in the area of textile arts.

Some of the most interesting aspects of the collection include the African textiles, Tibetan robes and Chinese silk embroidery. The Indonesian section is also outstanding for its depth and diversity, especially the 19th century batiks from the island of Java.

Throughout the centuries, textiles have had tremendous political, cultural and religious significance in our society. From the embroidered Chinese children’s hats to the hooked rugs from Newfoundland, all of the textiles convey the enormous amount of time and devotion that has been invested in the making and decorating of cloth.

The Museum for Textiles was founded in 1975 and moved into its specially designed 25,000 square foot permanent location in the heart of downtown Toronto in 1989. It is the only museum in Canada (and one of eight in the world) exclusively devoted to the collection, exhibition, and documentation of textiles from around the world. A visit to the galleries provides the opportunity to experience the traditions, skills and creative processes which make the textile arts a particularly engaging art form.

The Museum's programming involves a diversity of communities. The exhibitions and collection of 8,500 artifacts from around the world enjoy a unprecedented amount of media coverage. The Museum was named Best Small Museum by Toronto Life magazine in 1995.

Exhibitions are augmented by an educational program to further increase public knowledge through lectures, tours, workshops and publications. Specifically designed docent tours are developed for elementary, secondary, college and university students. The Museum established tile Contemporary Gallery in 1989. This gallery complements the historical and ethnographic exhibitions by exhibiting the work of Canadian and international artists exploring contemporary issues in the textile arts. It is one of the few venues in Canada which provides ongoing opportunities for artists working in textiles to exhibit their work. Both the exhibitions and documentation produced for this gallery have been critically acclaimed.

In addition to the 15,000 square feet of gallery space, the Museum houses a specialized reference library, conservation laboratory, collection management/research area, girl and book store, and auditorium for meetings and seminars. The Museum also provides a unique setting for receptions and other special events. In 1997 an education gallery, fibrespace was installed to provide a hands-on, interactive experience for both individual and group visitors.

The Museum's permanent home in the Metropolitan Hotel complex came about through direct partnership with business, and the Museum continues to develop important partnerships. The Museum operates with a small professional staff and an annual operating budget of $600,000. It receives 30% of its operating revenue from government, and relies for financial support on its members and individual, foundation and corporate supporters. Earned revenue from memberships, admissions, tours, the Museum shop and bookstore, and the dedication of 150 volunteers enables the Museum to continue its vigorous programming.

Highlights

Embroidered Chinese children's hats, hooked rugs from Newfoundland, gossamer silk Indian saris - all of these textiles tell us stories about the makers and the cultures in which they lived. The Museum for Textiles' permanent collection reflects the importance that cloth has held over the centuries - its cultural, religious, and political significance - the nomadic weavings, commemorative cloths and shaman's coat are striking examples of this powerful work.

Traditionally, enormous amounts of time have been invested in the making and the decorating of textiles. As a result, cloth can be an expression of the thoughts, feelings, loves, and needs of the makers and their communities.

The Museum for Textiles' permanent collection has been built over 24 years through the efforts of dedicated collectors and donors. It now numbers over 8,500 pieces and includes fabrics, ceremonial cloths, garments, carpets, quilts, and related artifacts from around the word. Over 190 countries and regions are represented in the collection which is exhibited in our galleries on a rotating basis.

Some of the most highly regarded parts of the collection include the African textiles, Tibetan robes, and Chinese silk embroideries. The Indonesian section is outstanding for its depth and diversity especially in the 19th Century batiks from the island of Java. And the extensive collection of folk art rugs from Turkey, Afghanistan, China, and Tibet form an important part of these permanent holdings.

Many institutions such as the Victoria and Albert Museum, the Barbican Centre, and the Ashmolean in England; the Royal Ontario Museum; the Art Gallery of Ontario; the Agnes Etherington Art Gallery in Kingston; the Vancouver Museum; the Museum of Civilization in Hull; and the Musee Marsil in Quebec have borrowed and/or studied pieces for major exhibitions, research papers, and publications.

The collection is categorized by geographic region and includes such items as:

· Ancient Coptic and Pre-Columbian textiles

· Canadian Jacquard coverlets and Log Cabin quilts

· Japanese kesas (priests' robes) and wedding kimonos

· Indian and Burmese temple hangings

· William Moms fabrics from England

· Asian Ikat chaparis (embroidered coats)

· African indigo cottons

· Central Asian carpets