The ESSLINGER BAHNWÄRTER scholarship is offered in the fields of literature (2026) and visual arts (2027). Each scholarship lasts six months and consists of the provision of an artist’s apartment and a monthly maintenance allowance of 1,000 euros. The application deadline is February 1, 2026.
Conditions of participation
The ESSLINGER BAHNWÄRTER scholarship for the visual arts is primarily aimed at artists and art scholars, regardless of age or nationality and regardless of place of residence, who have proven curatorial experience. Fluency in German or English is required.
A pre-selection of the scholarship holders for visual arts is made by a jury of experts. After the pre-selection, the applicants are invited to Esslingen am Neckar for an interview about the proposed project. The jury then decides on the awarding of the scholarship.
Procedure and content
The scholarship period for the ESSLINGER BAHNWÄRTER scholarship for visual arts is six months and must begin no later than June 1, 2027. The city of Esslingen am Neckar will provide the scholarship holder with an apartment or apartment and he/she will receive a monthly maintenance allowance of 1,000 euros. There is no residency requirement during the scholarship, but a presence in the city for several weeks is desired. The scholarship holders should integrate themselves into the cultural life of Esslingen, for example by participating in cultural events(Stadt im Fluss, …).
The ESSLINGER BAHNWÄRTER scholarship for visual arts promotes curatorial processes and curatorial thinking. The aim at the end of the scholarship period is to realize an exhibition, an artistic or a discursive project within the program of the gallery of the city of Esslingen am Neckar, be it in the Villa Merkel and / or in the Merkelpark. The projects realized as part of the scholarship focus on current social issues and aspects of contemporary art. Reference can be made to the upcoming 1,250th anniversary of Esslingen, which will be celebrated in 2027. Realizing exhibitions and projects always involves mediation; a critical discursive reflection on the content on display is therefore also expected, ideally reaching new target groups.
Submission date
01.02.2026
Genre
Submissions
Application
The following documents must be submitted by e-mail or post by February 1, 2026:
- Short cover letter (max. 1 page)
- Completed questionnaire (PDF, 175 KB)
- Short curriculum vitae (with biographical details including scholarships, awards and previous publications).
- An illustrated project dossier in German or English outlining an exhibition, an artistic or a discursive project. The length of the descriptive text is limited to a maximum of five A4 pages, that of the dossier to a total of 20 pages. The dossier outlines the objectives and strategic approaches and names possible exhibitors or project participants with brief biographical details. It also contains concise information on the technical requirements and prerequisites of the project.
Please note that no liability can be accepted if the documents are damaged or lost.
Please send your application and questions to:
Contact us
Cultural Office
Rathausplatz 3
73728 Esslingen am Neckar
E-mail
Phone 0711 3512-2644
Application deadline: February 1, 2026