DAAD Artists-in-Berlin Program

Overview

Established in 1963, the DAAD Artists-in-Berlin Program (Berliner Künstlerprogramm des DAAD) is one of the world’s most prestigious and globally recognized residency programs for international cultural practitioners. Operating under the umbrella of the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)—the world’s largest funding organization for international academic and artistic exchange, founded in 1925—the Artists-in-Berlin program awards approximately 20 fully funded fellowships each year. Based in Berlin, the program includes access to the daadgalerie in the Kreuzberg district, a vibrant venue dedicated to public exhibitions, performances, lectures, and readings by current and former fellows.

Mission

The DAAD Artists-in-Berlin Program aims to promote international cultural exchange, preserve the freedom of artistic expression, and afford established and outstanding international creators uninterrupted time and resources to focus on their creative research in Berlin. Aligned with the DAAD’s overarching strategy of “Change through Exchange,” the program seeks to connect global artists with the European cultural ecosystem, enrich Berlin’s contemporary art scene, and foster long-term international networks across visual, literary, sonic, and cinematic arts.

Programs / Opportunities

• Fully Funded Residencies (6 to 12 Months): Comprehensive 6-to-12-month residential fellowships in Berlin providing selected international fellows with a generous monthly stipend, fully furnished housing, travel expenses, health insurance, and optional German language training.
• Exhibitions & Public Events at daadgalerie: Opportunities to curate, present, perform, publish, and exhibit works in the heart of Kreuzberg at the daadgalerie, supported by full administrative and production staff.
• Multi-Disciplinary Fellowship Tracks: Tailored residency programs spanning four distinct artistic fields: Visual Arts, Film, Literature, and Music/Sound Art.
• Academic & Global Exchange Grants: Access to the broader DAAD network’s extensive scholarships, alumni meetings, research grants, and university collaborations worldwide.

Target Community

• International Artists & Fellows: Highly accomplished visual artists, filmmakers, writers, poets, composers, and sound artists from around the world (outside Germany).
• Berlin & Global Cultural Ecosystem: German higher education institutions, international museums, galleries, publishers, film festivals, and a global network of over 450,000 DAAD alumni.