MISSION

TEX+ aims to advance education in the subject of textile design at BA and MA level, and at UK secondary schools by:

Bridging the gap between finishing education and finding a role in the fast-changing textile industry through training, access to mentorship and individual prizes including paid and evaluated internships, and business start-up support to include advice on administration & client engagement.

Preparing design graduates to enter the workplace as designer/makers or as part of the textile industry through professional practice guidance and continual mentorship, including opportunities to gain advice and feedback on portfolio presentation, potential career and study routes from professionals in the field giving their time freely.

Engaging with young people to promote awareness of textile design by delivering regular interviews via the TEX+ website with TexSelect & TEX+ Alumni, textile university and college tutors and other textile professionals, with the intention of educating the next generation on the possibilities of studying textiles in further education and forging careers in the creative industries.

Creating a community of textile designers including TexSelect and TEX+ alumni, from experienced professionals to the most recent graduates, by providing a platform for a textile design and study network.

Identifying areas of interest to encourage young people to focus research on material, innovation for environment, medicine, technology & society, unnder the headings Alchemy/Industry/Arts/Collaboration/Impact

STRUCTURE

TEX+ is a new model currently in the process of applying for registration with the UK Charity Commission; the previous charity Texprint, later TexSelect, has informed the set up and proposed execution of this initiative.

All the Trustees bring extensive knowledge and experience of the former charity’s structure and management to this new model, updated and realigned for a digital world.

As soon as Tex + is registered as a Charity, the current 5 Trustees will elect a Chairman, Honorary Treasurer, Communications Officer and Administrator to ensure the delivery of TEX+ through the agreed constitution. To date everything has been run on a voluntary basis (pro bono) by the trustees but with future funding an administrator will be employed to assist in the charity delivering on its missions.

An advisory council will be invited to serve and support the Trustees and management team.