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| - It's hard to get away from cliches like "best-kept secret" when talking about the Textile Museum. It's tucked away on a downtown side street (when's the last time you walked down Centre Avenue, despite its name?) and doesn't have a noticeable advertising budget.
Yet, it's a gem. It's a beautiful place, obviously well cared for by the staff and well supported by some invisible stream of funding; they ain't doing this on the admissions prices. There's a permanent collection of beautiful pieces from around the world with an art gallery meets anthropology gallery feel, and a large space for changing exhibitions. I usually check the latter to make sure it's something I'm interested in before I go.
There's also a Discovery-Gallery-type hands on area for kids (though I like it, too), where they can feel different fibres, play games, try to use a drop spindle, things like that. The staff is friendly and attentive.
I have to say a word for the gift shop: oooooooooh. They have a gorgeous selection of textile-based gifts by artists, and a wonderful selection of books covering subjects as diverse as Japanese embroidery and DIY textile dying using native plants and trees.
I'd say that an interest in fibre arts (sewing, weaving, knitting, crocheting, dying, spinning, etc.) helps, but isn't necessary for an appreciation of this fine museum.
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