Organizer Information
Schlossmediale is an internationally oriented interdisciplinary festival held at historic Werdenberg Castle in the canton of St. Gallen, Switzerland. Established in 2012, the festival brings together contemporary music, sound art, visual art, performance, installations, and related experimental practices, creating an environment where artistic disciplines interact with the castle's historical architecture and atmosphere. The 2027 edition will be the festival's 14th edition and will take place from June 17–26, 2027.
Title & Description
Schlossmediale Artist Residency 2027
Schlossmediale Artist Residency 2027 invites three individual artists to undertake a five-week residency in Werdenberg and develop new work in response to the historic castle, its surroundings, and the festival's 2027 theme, “KLATSCH.”
The German word Klatsch encompasses sound, rumour, gossip, applause, and the circulation and transformation of information. The theme explores connections between contemporary social-media narratives and the stories historically carried from place to place, considering how information becomes stories, memories, and sometimes reality.
Artists are expected to develop work that responds creatively to this theme and to the specific character of Schloss Werdenberg. The resulting works will be exhibited, installed, or performed within the castle as part of the Schlossmediale Festival.
Categories
- Visual Art
- Audiovisual Art
- Sound Art
- Sound Studies
- Installation
- Sculpture
- Land Art
- Performance
- Experimental Instrument Building
Eligibility
The residency is open to three professionally experienced individual artists working in the listed disciplines. Applicants must be individual artists; duos and groups are not eligible. The official German call also requires completed artistic studies.
Applicants should be prepared to develop work on site and engage with the castle, the surrounding town of Werdenberg, and other participating artists. The opportunity particularly suits artists whose practices can respond to architectural, historical, sonic, spatial, or interdisciplinary contexts.
Program Benefits & Awards
Each selected artist receives:
- CHF 4,000 artist grant.
- CHF 1,000 toward travel, transportation, and meals.
- Up to CHF 1,000 for material costs.
- Accommodation in a historical house in Werdenberg, with a private bedroom and shared kitchen, living room, and bathroom.
- Exhibition/presentation of the resulting work during Schlossmediale 2027.
- Opportunities to present the work through castle tours and public talks.
- Interaction with international composers, musicians, sound artists, video artists, singers, dancers, and other festival participants.
- Free admission to festival performances, as a rule.
Application Fee
None
How to Apply?
Online Application
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 18 October 2026
- Residency: May 17–June 27, 2027
- Schlossmediale Festival: June 17–26, 2027
- Artwork: Must be completed and fully operational by the festival opening.
Location
Werdenberg Castle and Werdenberg, Canton of St. Gallen, Switzerland
Additional Details
Artists are expected to work on their projects, or parts of them, on site during the residency. Limited working spaces are available, but there are no dedicated studios, so artists may need to arrange additional workspace locally. Some castle exhibition spaces may be available before the festival, depending on circumstances.
Artists must bring their own essential hardware, software, technical equipment, and specialist tools. They are also expected to remain present throughout the festival, participate in tours and public conversations, and maintain an open and considerate approach to shared accommodation and interdisciplinary exchange.