Organizer Information
Weltkunstzimmer is an independent cultural institution and interdisciplinary art space based in Düsseldorf, Germany. Established as a platform for experimental artistic production and international exchange, the organization supports collaboration across visual arts, performance, music, and other creative disciplines. Located in a large industrial complex in the Flingern district, Weltkunstzimmer hosts exhibitions, residencies, performances, workshops, and research-based artistic initiatives that engage with contemporary social and cultural questions.
The institution is particularly committed to fostering transcultural dialogue and cross-border artistic collaboration. Through residency programs, international partnerships, and public programming, Weltkunstzimmer creates opportunities for artists from diverse cultural contexts to develop their work while engaging with local and international communities. The residency programs emphasize interdisciplinary experimentation, critical reflection, and professional networking.
The Weltkunstzimmer Residency Program forms an important part of the organization’s international activities. It provides artists with time, space, and financial support to focus on their practice while participating in knowledge exchange with fellow artists and cultural practitioners. The program is also part of the Borderland Residencies initiative, supported by the Cultural Office of the City of Düsseldorf, which aims to build long-term artistic networks between Germany and other regions.
The residency for 2026 continues a long-standing collaboration involving partners such as the former NRW Women’s Cultural Office and Museum Goch, supporting artistic exchange between Germany, Georgia, and neighboring cultural contexts.
Title & Description
Weltkunstzimmer Residency 2026 – Travel Grant for Artists from Georgia
Weltkunstzimmer Düsseldorf invites applications for its 2026 international residency program, offering a three-month funded residency in Düsseldorf, Germany, for one professional interdisciplinary artist from Georgia.
The residency will take place from September to November 2026 and provides an opportunity for artists to develop their work within an international creative environment while engaging with artists from different disciplines and cultural backgrounds. The program encourages transcultural artistic exchange and interdisciplinary dialogue among practitioners working across visual arts, performance, music, and media-based practices.
During the residency, selected artists will live and work on the premises of Weltkunstzimmer, where they will have access to studios, exhibition spaces, a dance studio, and shared working facilities. The residency aims to create an environment where artists can reflect on their creative processes, explore new approaches, and exchange ideas with local cultural actors and fellow residents.
The program places a strong emphasis on interdisciplinary collaboration and knowledge sharing. Participants are encouraged to engage with artists from different fields, exchange working methods, and discuss artistic strategies through both informal dialogue and structured activities. Artists will also have the opportunity to connect with local cultural institutions, attend exhibitions, performances, and cultural events in Düsseldorf and beyond.
Although the residency does not require the production of a specific artwork or exhibition, participants are expected to contribute at least one public presentation or artistic input during the second half of the residency period. This may take the form of a screening, lecture, performance, open rehearsal, workshop, artist talk, discussion, or presentation of work in progress.
The program is open to research-based artistic practices as well as production-oriented work. Artists may use the residency for creative research, conceptual development, rehearsals, or the elaboration of new projects. By providing time and space for experimentation, the residency encourages participants to expand their practice while building international professional networks.
Categories
Visual Arts
Video / Media Art
Performance / Dance
Music / Sound Art
Interdisciplinary Art
Eligibility
The residency is open to:
- Professional artists from Georgia
- Artists working in interdisciplinary practices, including visual arts, video, performance, dance, music, or sound
- Artists of all genders and identities
- Applicants with an interest in transcultural and interdisciplinary exchange
Additional conditions include:
- Applicants must be willing to spend at least two-thirds of the residency period working in Düsseldorf
- Participants must present one public artistic input or presentation during the residency
- Applicants must be able to communicate fluently in English, which will be the working language of the program
- There is no age limit for applicants
Program Benefits & Awards
The selected artist will receive a funded residency package, including:
- Scholarship of €3,000 for the full residency period
- Round-trip travel costs between Georgia and Germany
- Free accommodation and artist studio at Weltkunstzimmer Düsseldorf
- Access to exhibition halls, dance studio, and shared workspaces
- Daily allowance during the residency period
- Material support of up to €500 for public presentations
- Networking opportunities with local artists, cultural institutions, and international residents
- Participation in cultural events, studio visits, and discussions within Düsseldorf’s creative scene
Application Fee
None
Application Requirements
Applicants are typically required to submit the following materials through the online application process:
- Completed application form
- Artist CV
- Portfolio or documentation of previous works
- Short description of the applicant’s artistic practice
- Proposal or statement outlining plans or research interests during the residency
Applicants should demonstrate an openness to collaborative exchange and interdisciplinary artistic dialogue.
How to Apply?
Please send your Application Form to: residency@weltkunstzimmer.de
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 6 April 2026
- Residency Period: September – November 2026
- Residency Report Deadline: March 31, 2027
Location
Düsseldorf, Germany
Additional Details
Participants are expected to actively engage with the residency community and participate in collaborative activities during their stay. The program encourages artists to explore the local cultural landscape through visits to exhibitions, festivals, studios, and discussions with cultural professionals.
The selected resident must also submit a written travel report (maximum six pages) documenting their experience and activities during the residency period by March 31, 2027.
Applicants should ensure their passport remains valid for at least six months after the residency period, and those requiring visas should begin the process early. Weltkunstzimmer will assist selected participants with the necessary invitation letters and documentation for visa applications.
Participation in the program is subject to current international travel regulations and public health conditions.
All applications are evaluated by an expert jury, and the final decision is binding. Scholarships are subject to final approval by the state budget of North Rhine-Westphalia.