TRAVELLERS GUIDELINES
Before joining me and the TextileSeekers team on this much-anticipated adventure, I would like to take a moment to share with you our guidelines for all travellers:
Travel insurance is necessary, as a small business your health and wellbeing are important to me, so before you book your flights and or even before confirming your place on a retreat, do consult your travel insurance provider. Life evolves and changes and I understand that some unexpected events or incidents may occur which may result in cancellation. I assure you I will do my best to support you where I can and that each traveller’s case will be reviewed along with our terms and conditions cancellation policy which states that: 4.2 90 days before the start of services we will refund 100% of tour costs minus the deposits. 4.2.1 Less than 90 days before the start of services we will refund 0% of the tour costs.
With recent cancellations, I have offered each traveller a 30% discount on any future retreats with TextileSeekers.
During the tour, if you are keen to explore sustainable and artisanal developments for your business, please drop me an email before the trip so I can look into how to help you achieve what you seek to do. As common courtesy and for your own protection as well as the protection of the local communities, kindly refrain from approaching the local tribes or our team of travel guides to negotiate deals without letting me know.
Our goal is to create synergy among all the amazing women who are a part of the TextileSeekers Tribe. To make this a fruitful trip and to help grow our community of TextileSeekers, you can show support by sharing your travel experience with us after the tour, via personal feedback, showcasing your travel moments on social media and/or blogging.
While we totally embrace sharing each travel moment and you have total liberty to publish your own images throughout the trip, we ask that you ensure the privacy of others and see to it that the local communities we visit are protected. If you have written any copy, blog post or article regarding the trip, we request that you send it to us before publishing to seek our consent. We would also highly appreciate it if you tag or mention @textileseekers account when posting on Facebook, Instagram and other social media platforms. Thank you for your kind consideration!
We respect intellectual property. We will ask permission to use any visual material that any of our travellers have published in their accounts (including footage with their image on it) beforehand.
If you would like to use any of the corporate material of TextileSeekers (images, video, texts and logos), please send us a request. We are happy to share.
During the trip, if there is anything that you feel needs to be discussed, it should be done so directly with me, your lead guide. As a group of solo travellers, it is natural that you bond with other women during the tour. Maybe some proposed changes to the travel plan might be raised. If you have any question or request that crops up during our tour, please come to me and let me know your concerns and I’ll do my best to address any issue you might have. That said, as the lead guide, I reserve the right of final decision because we have to take into consideration other travellers or programs that have been pre-arranged as well.
As we are travelling to remote areas during our tour, please be mindful of your surroundings and be sensitive to new cultures which you will encounter. Please show a level of etiquette, consideration and courtesy to the local community. In addition, motivated by one of our pillars, which is to empower women, these trips serve as a form “training” for my team as well, so that each of these woman can become independent and well-versed in their new roles as our guides and teachers. Any support and consideration you give to them will be appreciated.
As all the travellers come from different backgrounds and cultures, respecting each other during the trip is something we should make a point to do. We have zero tolerance for any negative behaviour and we take every complaint seriously. If someone is reported to display disruptive conduct, we will try to mediate the issue, and if the negative behaviour persists, further actions will be taken as a means to protect the rest of the travellers.
In the unlikely event that you require assistance beyond that of our team, we highly recommend taking our comprehensive travel insurance to cover you for any sickness, accident or loss / damage of property during your trip. For peace of mind and to make the remediation process simpler. Do note to join our travels, it is compulsory to have travel insurance
ARTIST FELLOWSHIP GUIDELINES
How To Apply
Who should apply?
All international artists - including emerging designers and artists
All candidates must complete and submit an online application and provide the following:
A creative brief outlining the objectives and goals for your desired project.
CV/Resume
The ideal and suitable artist should be able to:
Communicate your ideas clearly.
Provide strong examples of your work.
Present a curriculum vitae outlining your education and experience; and
Provide references or referees upon request.
Application Process:
Applicants will be selected based on the nature of your projects, in order for us to create a harmonious working environment as well as provide opportunities to develop through our network.
Three months before commencement we will email and call successful applicants for an interview.
All applicants must agree to the Travellers Guidelines and our Terms and Conditions
Interview process will be conducted via Skype, Zoom and/or WhatsApp before approval is given.
Applicants must ensure your projects are sustainable, not involving animals or impacting the environment negatively.
Recommendation to bring on the trip:
Your own tools and materials, spending money, and any additional cost for buying materials outside of the itinerary of TextileSeekers workshops, such as special yarns, patterns, brushes etc.
Please keep in mind the following practicalities:
Solo Artists only (if you work in a team, please inform us).
We will be based in a rural environment, so please be aware of the conditions to better manage your expectations.
Public transportation is either a local taxi or our driver, please take note.
Currently we do not offer disability access.
All artists must be able to speak English
Clothing attire should be packed according to the season, weather, and environment (A useful note: Please pack comfortable shoes).
Bring personal medication and/or first aid kits. The lodge will provide basic amenities, however personal medication will be the responsibility of the travellers.
Please note, on day 6 we will prepare for days 7-11 a bespoke itinerary, so additional workshops, materials and extra requirements will be at the traveller’s expense, this is due to the nature of each artist’s requirements varying from one to another.
All other travel information will be provided once your application is confirmed, as we have a private website link with password access to all travel related details.
Timeline:
The programme will commence in October and run over the duration of two weeks with no more than 8 artists.
Application commences on 17th of March, and will close three months before travel dates.
Payment is strictly 60% non-refundable deposit three months before travel, and 40% balance 30 days before travel. See our Terms & Conditions for more info.
Artist Expectations:
Artists may have a variety of motivations for, and expectations about, participating in a residency, some of which you can include in your essay.
Education
Learning specific techniques or skills.
Working with particular artists, curators or scholars.
Conducting research in a particular place or institution.
Production
Working on an individual creative project.
Working with specific technical tools or facilities.
Making work for an exhibition or performance.
Sabbatical
Taking time away from the everyday.
Immersion in a new environment and culture.
Finding new inspiration.
Creatively exploring an idea.
Collaboration
Building networks.
Meeting local artists and/or other residency artists.
Working as a group to develop a project.
Community engagement is a must for the artist in residency.
Artist to participate in the full 6-day itinerary of workshops.
What we can expect from our selected Artist:
Follow all guidelines given during the duration of the stay, otherwise the artist will be asked to leave and will not be able to apply again the following session.
Applicant’s work must be sustainable, without harming animals or impacting the environment negatively.
We require a written testimonial of each artist’s assessment of the residency. Every artist will be expected to share the outcome of the residency with us so we can measure the success as well as improve on the programme based on artists’ feedback.
Social Media Guidelines and Expectations for Selected Artists:
Swipe up – one before and one after the retreat if you have this option on your IG account.
Story daily posting - Our suggestion is for each artist to post every activity and place which we visit, but you have the liberty to post in the way that makes you feel comfortable and inspired, without leaving out important content. Please post before the trip to promote your travels and during the retreat itself.
**Please do not tag affiliations or any of our hotel partners without written permission. Also please do not tag any other brands you may have links to, unless you have informed Thao beforehand. TextileSeekers works hard to ensure any brand linked to us meets our ethos, so we seek your understanding on the importance for us to be selective of the brands which we allow to be posted on social media.
Images on the post: We suggest defining a minimum of posting, i.e. 6 postings at least. Generally, most travellers will post immediately after the retreat, and before travelling.
Statistics: You will be asked to share followers / Statistics / relevant messages or comments regarding the trip postings with us.
We also would appreciate it if deliverables are to be sent to us (such as high-resolution images and any written copy) no later than a week after returning from the trip, as our team needs time to edit and publish the content.
Kindly note that your testimonial will be posted on our social media and/or website for marketing.
You will be expected to appear in our newsletter. Please seek our confirmation if you require us to be featured in your newsletter (if you have any).
Feature story on the Lissome Magazine.
Last but not least, post a photo essay on your website if you have a blog section.
Let this trip be the chance for you to disconnect and enjoy each travel moment.