Support Artists in Exile e.V. offers space and perspective to refugee artists from all over the world who are restricted in their freedom by war, persecution or political circumstances. In the heart of Cologne, there is a studio with exhibition space for painting, sculpture and photography.
Over a period of two years, two scholarship holders each work in the studio for three months, receive 1,000 euros per month for materials and present their works in an accompanying exhibition.
Accompanied by catalogues and press work, their art is made visible – seven times during the project and once in a large final exhibition.
About the scholarship
- Studio workspace in the heart of Cologne with access to a quiet courtyard
- An adjoining exhibition space of approx. 100 qm
- Monthly 1,000 Euro material subsidy per artist
- Solo exhibition at the end of the three-month residency and joint final exhibition
- Accompanying press work and catalogues for lasting visibility
Two artists work in parallel on site for three months at a time. The scholarships are initially designed for three months at a time over two years.
Our Jury
Dr. Sylvia Metz
Dr. Sylvia Metz is Policy Advisor for Art and Culture at the Hessian Ministry of Science and Research, Art and Culture, as well as Deputy Head of the Policy Department. In this role, she shapes strategic cultural policy issues.
Previously, she headed the international scholarship programme at the Hessian Cultural Foundation and was responsible for the studios in New York, London and Paris. The art historian and curator has also worked for the Deutsche Bank Collection, the Deutsche Guggenheim Berlin, the Schirn Kunsthalle Frankfurt, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Philipps University Marburg and the German Academy Rome Villa Massimo.
Björn Geldhof
Björn Geldhof is a Belgian curator and art manager known for his work at the intersection of contemporary art and social discourse. After working in Belgium, he became artistic director of the PinchukArtCentre in Kiev, one of the leading centres for contemporary art in Eastern Europe.
Previously, he worked as Artistic & Strategic Director at the YARAT Contemporary Art Space in Baku, among other positions. Geldhof has curated numerous international exhibitions, including the Ukrainian Pavilion at the 56th Venice Biennale (2015) and several editions of the Future Generation Art Prize.
His curatorial practice is characterised by a focus on political and social issues, particularly in the context of contemporary Eastern European art.
Dr. Michael Krajeski
Dr. Michael Krajewski is a German art historian, art critic and curator. He studied art history in Bonn and Vienna and earned his doctorate with a thesis on Jean Dubuffet and Art Brut. Since 2022, he has been teaching at the Institute for Art and Design Studies at the Essen University of Fine Arts.
From 2023 to 2024, Krajewski was curator at the Kunstmuseen Krefeld (KWM, Haus Lange, Haus Esters). Prior to that, he was curator and custodian at the Wilhelm Lehmbruck Museum in Duisburg from 2011 to 2022, at the Museum Ludwig in Cologne from 2001 to 2003, and at the Kunstverein für die Rheinlande und Westfalen in Düsseldorf from 1993 to 1999.
He has realised numerous exhibitions, projects and publications with artists such as Isa Genzken, Wolfgang Tillmans, Bridget Riley, Hans-Peter Feldmann, Ludger Gerdes, Paul Thek, Jana Sterbak, Wiebke Siems, Peter Buggenhout, Marcel Duchamp and Joseph Beuys.
About the Scholarship
Purpose
Support Artists in Exile opens up new perspectives for artists from all over the world whose freedom is restricted by war, persecution, or political circumstances. The project preserves the freedom of art and creates opportunities to develop works and make them visible to the public.
Scope
The studio scholarship initially runs for a total of two years. Two artists work simultaneously in Cologne for three months.
- Studio space (100 sqm) in the centre of Cologne (gallery district)
- Adjacent exhibition space
- Monthly support of 1,000 Euro per artist for material costs
- Exhibition at the end of the scholarship
- A catalogue is published for each exhibition
- Accompanying press work
A total of seven solo exhibitions and one large joint final exhibition will be held.
Requirements
Artists who are restricted in their artistic freedom through no fault of their own, who are currently residing in Europe and who have completed an artistic education in accordance with the rules of their country of origin are eligible to apply. Residence permits, accommodation and living expenses must be organized independently.
Jury
An international jury will select the artists based on artistic quality and the content criteria of the project.
Application
Applications should be sent by email to application@artistsinexile.de and should include:
- Portfolio / max. 10 pages as a PDF
- Curriculum
- Project idea
About
Support Artists in Exile e. V. sees itself as a platform for artistic freedom and cultural dialogue. Based on the conviction that art is an inalienable expression of human dignity and social diversity, the association is committed to creating long-term structures that enable exiled artists to participate, gain visibility and determine their own destinies. We work in an interdisciplinary manner, with an international network and in close cooperation with cultural institutions to promote art as a unifying language across borders.