Organizer Information

The Internationale Photoszene Köln is a leading cultural organization based in Cologne, Germany, dedicated to promoting contemporary photography and supporting emerging and professional artists worldwide. Through exhibitions, residencies, and educational programs, it fosters international dialogue, provides access to extensive photographic archives, and enhances visibility for contemporary photographic practices. The organization also curates the Photoszene Festival, a renowned annual platform that showcases innovative photography and media arts projects.

Title & Description

AMA#5 Open Call 2026 – Artist Residency & Exhibition in Photography and Archives The AMA#5 Open Call invites professional artists, photographers, and artist collectives to participate in a unique Residency program exploring photography, archives, and artistic engagement with collections. Selected artists will collaborate with institutions such as the Deutsches Tanzarchiv Köln, Greven Archiv Digital, LVR-LandesMuseum Bonn, FrauenMediaTurm Cologne, and the Archiv der Fotowerkstätte Köln, accessing collections to inspire and develop new work. The residency culminates in exhibitions during the Photoszene Festival 2027, with opportunities for public presentations, artist talks, and networking. The program encourages interdisciplinary approaches, experimental formats, and projects that interrogate the relationship between photography, memory, and archival practices.

Categories

Photography, Visual Arts, Multimedia, Curatorial, Research, Interdisciplinary Arts, Exhibition

Eligibility

  • International professional artists of legal age (18+)
  • Artist collectives or duos for the Deutsches Tanzarchiv Köln residency
  • Residency at the Archiv der Fotowerkstätte Köln is restricted to Dutch-born, -resident, or -citizen artists
  • Prior AMA participants are not eligible
  • Willingness to work temporarily in Cologne
  • Open to individual and interdisciplinary practices, including dance, performance, and research backgrounds

Program Benefits & Awards

  • Artist fee: €4,500 per individual (€9,000 per collective at Deutsches Tanzarchiv Köln), paid in three installments covering residency, project development, and exhibition realization
  • Travel and accommodation coverage for residency, exhibition installation, and opening
  • Access to archives/collections at the participating institutions
  • Exhibition at the Photoszene Festival 2027, with basic exhibition funding of €5,000
  • Conceptual support from participating institutions
  • Networking opportunities through excursions, workshops, and artist talks

Application Fee

None

Application Requirements:

  • CV (max. 2 pages) detailing birth, residence, education, and exhibition history
  • Motivation letter (max. 2,000 characters) or MP3 audio outlining interest and preliminary ideas
  • Portfolio (max. 15 MB) or website link
  • Optional postal submission of catalogues or brochures
  • Applications accepted only via the online portal

How to Apply?

Online Application

Key Dates

  • Application Deadline: 5 February 2026
  • Jury Meetings: February 2026
  • Residency Period: Summer 2026 (1 month, may be divided into shorter stays)
  • Exhibition Date: Photoszene Festival 2027, May onwards (minimum 4 weeks, extended exhibition at Deutsches Tanzarchiv Köln)

Location

Cologne, Germany

Additional Details

  • Applications may be submitted in English or German
  • Open to artists with disabilities; access needs can be specified in the application form
  • New work is expected to be produced during the residency; formats are flexible
  • For inquiries: opencall@photoszene.de

Website Link: https://www.photoszene.de/en/artist-programme/artist-meets-archive-5/