Short Description
The Akademie Schloss Solitude in Stuttgart awards between 50 and 60 residencies every two years to international artists, researchers, and cultural professionals from all disciplines. With the Solitude Fellowship, we create space for concentrated work, interdisciplinary exchange, and international networking—contributing to an open, diverse, and globally connected cultural landscape in Baden-Württemberg and Germany. The fellowship is open-ended in terms of results, while also offering the possibility of on-site events, including collaborations with other cultural institutions in Stuttgart and the region.
Eligibility
Artists, scholars, and cultural professionals from around the world with several years of professional experience following your education (2 years to 10 years) are eligible.
You can apply:
- if you have completed your education and have several years of professional experience following your education (2 years to 10 years).
The fellowship is aimed at artists, scholars, and cultural practitioners from around the world who have already developed an independent professional practice but are currently in an active phase of further growth – that is, they are no longer at the very beginning of their careers, but not yet firmly established. In general, this means at least two and no more than ten years of professional experience after completing an artistic or academic education, regardless of age.
This timeframe serves as a guideline rather than a strict eligibility criterion.
The application should clearly describe the current stage of the applicant’s professional or artistic development and explain why a residency at Akademie Schloss Solitude is particularly relevant at this point in their career. In the spheres of practice Visual, Aural & Physical, Textual, Spatial, and Digital, the term »education« includes all forms of artistic qualification – such as studies at art academies or universities, vocational training, mentoring, master classes, or self-taught education. In the sphere of practice Scientific, a master’s degree or higher is required, - if you speak English or German. The knowledge of either English or German is a prerequisite for application, as it is essential for communication within the team and the fellow community (English is the main language used),
- you are willing to have your permanent residence in Stuttgart for the fellowship’s duration. As required by local authorities, fellows must register their main residence in Stuttgart for the duration of the fellowship. Furthermore, the Akademie Schloss Solitude expects full-time presence throughout the fellowship, as active engagement with the on-site community and program is a central part of the residency.
VISUAL – Fine Arts & Film/Video
- Fine Arts – Painting, sculpture, drawing, installation, photography, printmaking, ceramics, textiles, and performance art
- Film/Video – Film, video, documentary, fiction
AURAL & PHYSICAL – Music/Sound & Performing Arts
- Music/Sound – Music, musical interpretation & composition, sound installation, sound performance, music theater
- Performing Arts – Dance, choreography, acting, dramaturgy, directing
SPATIAL – Architecture & Design
- Architecture – Architecture, urban planning, landscape architecture
- Design – Design, scenography, fashion design, costume design, product design
TEXTUAL – Literature & Language
- German-language Literature – Poetry, prose, essays, dramatic writing, translation
- International Literature – Poetry, prose, essays, dramatic writing, translation
DIGITAL – New Media Art & Digital Art
- Artistic practice engaging with digital, algorithmic and networked technologies, gaming, (live) coding, hacking, open-source culture, digital communities, and post-digital aesthetics.
SCIENTIFIC – Humanities & Applied Sciences (with alternating focus disciplines)
- Current focus disciplines: philosophy, media studies, sociology, cultural studies, political science, law, the life sciences, and economics
Application process
The selection process takes place in two stages:
Stage 1 (October 15–November 14, 2025): Open Short Application (online) on the application platform.
After the first stage of the application process, an anonymous random selection procedure will be used in spheres of practice with very high numbers of applications to ensure a fair pre-selection.
Deadline: November 14, 2025, 6 pm CET
All applicants will be notified by e-mail whether or not they are admitted to the second stage.
Stage 2 (November 24–December 19, 2025): Full Application (online) on the application platform
Admitted applicants may submit a full application via the platform between November 24 and December 19, 2025 (6 pm CET).
Deadline: December 19, 2025, 6 pm CET
How to Apply
Online Application
Program Benefits & Awards
Benefits:
- A 6- or 9-month stay in Stuttgart, Germany
- A monthly stipend of €1,300 to cover living expenses
- A furnished live/work studio at Akademie Schloss Solitude, including electricity, heating, and water
- One-time reimbursement of travel expenses (arrival and departure)
- Coverage of health insurance costs for Non-EU-Citizens
- Access to an international community of fellows
- Participation in an interdisciplinary program and regular events
- Support with local and regional networking
- Use of workshops (wood, metal, media/VR) and libraries
The Akademie also offers optional additional benefits which are adjustable in accordance with the current budget situation:
- Transport expenses subsidy for the carriage of materials, tools, instruments and books to Stuttgart and from Stuttgart to the fellow’s home town,
- Project funding and one-off materials subsidy,
- Health insurance in the case of non-EU fellowship candidates.
Entry Fee
You will have to pay the application fee of 20 Euros
- if you live in an industrial country (see list of countries below).
An applicant from an industrial country is a person who lives and works in an industrial country during the application process.
Please note: The nationality of the applicant is not relevant.
You will NOT have to pay the application fee of 20 Euro
- if you live and are registered in a non-industrial country during the application period
(see list of countries). Please note: The nationality of the applicant is not relevant.
Location
Stuttgart, Germany
Timeline
- Application Deadline: 14 November 2025
Website Link: https://www.akademie-solitude.de/en/fellowship/solitude-fellowship/
