Hochschule für Gestaltung: International Residency Program

the Hochschule für Gestaltung (HfG) Offenbach, supported by the Crespo Foundation and the Aventis Foundation, is offering an international residency program at the Höchster Porzellan- Manufaktur (HPM).

“RESIDENCY 2.0 exploring porcelain” supports international artists and designers and offers them a free space to research, experiment and develop innovative concepts in working with porcelain and ceramics.
The program is aimed at Art College, academy or related educational institution postgraduates who have extensive experience with ceramic materials and would like to deepen their artistic or design skills, specifically with porcelain. The goal is to promote young artistic talent in the field of porcelain as well as to encourage the advancement of the tradition of porcelain design in the context of materials research. New concepts of form, material and design can be explored and developed.

Residency Sponsorship

Guest studio at the HPM: free of charge
A room in the residency guest apartment in Offenbach: free of charge
Financial support for creative work: EUR 1,000.00 per month
RMV ticket (alternatively Germany ticket) rail ticket: free of charge
Work materials costs: up to EUR 500.00
Travel expenses: costs to and from location up to EUR 1,500.00
Exhibition: costs coverage in coordination
Documentation of the creative positions (in photography, film, catalog, etc.): Cost coverage in coordination
Transfer program: up to EUR 1,000
Participation in the national and international networking of the HfG
Participation in the life of the art academy and research opportunities in the context of the HfG (library, research networks, theory professors)

Höchster Porzellan-Manufaktur: Unique place for research and learning

The residency will take place at the Höchster Porzellan Manufaktur, Germany’s second oldest porcelain manufactory founded in 1746 and the Hochschule für Gestaltung’s new satellite location for research and teaching since 2023. The Hochschule für Gestaltung is transforming the Höchster Porzellan Manufaktur, steeped in tradition, into a place of research and learning to further develop porcelain design.

The scholarship at the Höchster Porzellan Manufaktur provides unique conditions for the linking of the traditional artisanship and artistic know-how of the HPM with the innovative interdisciplinary teaching and research concepts of the HfG. These include new digital processes such as ceramic 3D printing, robotics, new digital surface finishes and opening up to other material groups, processes and contexts.

In the residency program, artists are provided with a studio, materials and equipment. The scholarship holders can use HPM’s production facility and workshops. The production area of the Höchster Porzellanmanufaktur includes: Mold making, foundry, embossing and painting. In addition to the 2.3 m3 gas kiln, suitable for annealing and gloss firing up to 1400°, there are 60- liter electric chamber kilns in which annealing, decorative firing and glaze firing can take place. Work equipment and materials are provided.

Working during the residency

The scholarship holders can deepen their work with porcelain at HPM with an artistic project – the plan is to work on site at least 4 days a week for 4 months. During their stay, they will work on the conception, execution, exhibition and documentation of the project. They are invited to make innovative use of the practical possibilities of the manufactory and to interact with students, teachers, each other and the public in workshops, lectures, evening events and exhibitions. The residency team welcomes and accompanies the scholarship holders through the program.

A jury of experts from teaching, research and the porcelain manufactory selects the scholarship holders.

The residency program initiates twice a year, in tandem to the HfG semester periods. Residency 3.0 starts in April 2025 and runs until July 2025.