TRANSFORM YOUR MATERIALS
Have surplus textiles, banners, vinyl, deadstock, or dormant inventory? We help turn unused materials into useful products and measurable impact.
Material Activation Lab is Public Thread’s hands on platform for turning recovered textiles into real products, systems, and opportunities.
Each Lab brings together a small group of designers, artists, and makers to work directly with a specific material, experimenting, building, and developing outcomes that can actually be produced, sold, or scaled.
This isn’t just exploration.
It’s a structured process designed to help you take an idea and turn it into something real, while uncovering new ways to use materials that would otherwise go to waste.
1st, 2nd, and 3rd place projects will receive additional cash awards
Selected work may be considered for further development, production, or release through Public Thread.
Each selected participant will receive:
• $250 stipend to support design and development
• Access to reclaimed materials (t-shirt textiles provided)
• Studio access to machines, tools, and workspace
• Guidance on developing market-ready work
• Opportunity to take your product further beyond the Lab
• Projects must be made with at least 50% reclaimed t-shirt material
• Remaining materials can be selected based on your concept and approach
• Learn more in "Lab Details" below
1) Material Activation Lab Announced March 2nd
2) All Project Applications Due by March 27th
3) Top 20 Participants Announced on April 3rd via email. First payment to artists will be made.
4) Showcase Set-up June 20th - 23th (All work must be set up no later than 4pm June 23th)
5) Showcase Event June 25th from 5pm - 7pm. Second payment to all artists who participate in the showcase will be issued. The top 3 winners will also receive prize payments at this time. (Judging will be done by local industry experts, artists, designers, and community leaders.)
Selected participants will have access to open studio hours at Public Thread and a curated supply of the highlighted textiles for their projects. In addition, participants will take part in a small group session covering market ready standards, production considerations, and pathways to opportunity, helping ensure their work meets Material Activation Lab guidelines.
We are not looking for things that are already in the marketplace. We are looking for new, unique ideas/ designs/ processes so that we can help you bring them to market. Either by partnering with Public Thread or by assisting you in partnership opportunities.
- Quality
- Concept execution
- Story/POV
- Use of materials
- Visual interest
- Percentage of highlighted lab material
1st Place — $300
2nd Place — $225
3rd Place — $150
Honorable Mention — Recognition + Feature
955 Godfrey Ave. SW
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Mon - Fri, Appointment Only
Saturday, Closed
Sunday, Closed