Live and work artistically in Duisburg for a year from January 2027: The city of Duisburg is awarding the coveted residency scholarship for the ninth time together with the Duisburg Artists’ Interest Group. Under-40 artists from all over Germany are invited to apply for a free studio in the Rheinhausen district by August 31. In addition, the scholarship holder can expect further benefits for the one-year residency period, which are provided free of charge: In addition to an apartment and a Germany ticket from Duisburger Verkehrsgesellschaft, there will be a dedicated exhibition and a publication bundling future Duisburg works.
Lisa Wölfel, current scholarship holder, can already look back on three successful months, is planning several solo exhibitions and has been invited to a group show: “I received a very, very warm welcome from the Duisburg artists, and there is always someone on the city side to answer any questions. I find the artistic environment here to be refreshingly open and collegial – I think that’s something that really stands out with this scholarship and is very important for the success of a scholarship stay in these competitive times.”
Wölfel’s conclusion: “The Duisburg scholarship offers absolute peace and quiet for artistic work in a spacious studio, plenty of space for independent design and professional media support for my artistic work from the city’s press and social media team.”
Duisburg has been promoting art and culture for decades. Almost 40 municipal studios are permanently available rent-free in the Ruhr city. The Duisburg Artists’ Interest Group is actively involved in the local art scene. The residency scholarship is intended to motivate artists to stay in Duisburg in the long term.
Interested parties from the fields of fine arts, photography, illustration, performance or video art can apply. They must have completed their studies or training for at least one year. The application documents must be submitted digitally by August 31, 2026 to the Kulturbetriebe der Stadt Duisburg: c.bohndorfstadt-duisburgde. An independent jury of experts will then decide on the award of the scholarship. Interested applicants must justify why Duisburg is exactly the right place for their artistic work. The winner will be announced at the end of October.
Further information can be obtained by calling Claudia Bohndorf at the cultural office on 0203 283-62269 or online at www.duisburg.de (keyword: residency scholarship).
Diego Tenore
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Who can apply?
Creative artists who have completed their training/studies for at least one year are eligible to apply. Whether visual arts, photography, illustration, performance or video art
How can I apply?
The informative application documents, in which it is explained why the Ruhr city of Duisburg is exactly the right place for the artistic work, can be submitted digitally or by post:
Kulturbetriebe der Stadt Duisburg, Kulturbüro, Neckarstraße 1, 47051 Duisburg
c.bohndorfstadt-duisburgdeor kulturbuerostadt-duisburgde
Application deadline: August 31, 2026
Application deadline: August 31, 2026