Six-month Documenta Fellowships in Kassel, Germany

The Goethe-Institut Fellowship offers international artists, curators, and scholars the opportunity to conduct transdisciplinary research on aesthetics, art, and contemporary history in the context of documenta exhibitions. It also aims to provide a venue to critically reflect on Western European-/North American-influenced discourses as well as to develop alternative perspectives. This call is particularly extended to researchers from contexts which have received scarce representation in the local artistic and academic scene. Two six-month fellowships in Kassel, Germany, for June to November 2023 will be awarded.

Our fellowship programme in association with the documenta archiv and the Kunsthochschule and University of Kassel provides an opportunity to explore a wide range of historical and art historical, interdisciplinary and international aspects of the documenta exhibition and gain new insights into art production as well as networks that have been created. The fellowship programme seeks to contribute new perspectives on the Western European and North American art canon.

Whom we fund

young international academics, artists and curators engaged in research. Applications from researchers based in Germany or in German-speaking countries cannot be considered.

What we fund

We provide a €2,000 monthly stipend for six months of research into the documenta in Kassel, as well as assistance in applying for a visa, finding housing, dealing with German bureaucracy/paperwork, and researching the documenta archives. The two fellowships will be carried out from 1 June 2023 to 30 November 2023. As possible, the research stay should begin latest on 15 June.

Funding criteria

• Excellent knowledge of modern and contemporary art as well as a strong interest in the research areas outlined in the Call for Applications.
• Experience with archival research; demonstrated accomplishments from projects completed in a field of scholarly, artistic, or curatorial research.
• Residence in Kassel required during the fellowship
• Demonstration of knowledge of the German language, ideally at the C1 level

Required documents

The application must be handed in digitally via the Goethe-Instituts application portal. It should be in German (in justified exceptional cases, in English) and the following information must be provided in the portal:

• short biography
• short summary of the research project

as well as, combined into one single pdf-document:

• 1 page with an elaborated abstract of the research project being planned, including a time schedule and a proposal for presentation of the results (max. 3600 characters)
• 2 pages with curriculum vitae (incl. proof of German and other language skills)
• 2 reference letters (max. one page each)

Applications must be handed in digitally via the Goethe-Institut’s application portal. Please find the link to the portal below once the portal is opened on March 1.

Eligibility: Applicants must have a physical presence in Kassel during the six-month residency, starting no later than 15 June 2023. Knowledge of German (C1 level) and experience with archival research are desired, and applicants based in Germany or German-speaking countries are ineligible. Applicants must provide proof of health insurance coverage at their own cost.

What you get: Fellows will receive a stipend of 2000 Euros per month, with travel allowances available. They will also receive support in obtaining visas and other travel formalities from their home country, as well as assistance with finding accommodation and obtaining insurance coverage upon arrival in Germany. Fellows will benefit from a rich working environment, interaction with scholars and artists on site, active involvement in research and event programming, and organizational and professional support. They are encouraged to present their research results in Kassel and in publication/publishing forums with international visibility.

Deadline 24 March 2023

Goethe Institut Glasgow

website: Documenta Fellowship – Goethe-Institut