This prestigious fellowship offers 50 to 60 residencies every two years to support creative professionals across disciplines. The program provides space for focused work, interdisciplinary exchange, and global networking, contributing to a vibrant and inclusive cultural landscape in Baden-Württemberg and beyond.

Fellowship Overview

The Solitude Fellowship aims to foster artistic and intellectual freedom by providing an environment conducive to experimentation and collaboration. Fellows are encouraged to pursue projects without a fixed outcome, while also engaging in events and partnerships with cultural institutions in Stuttgart and the surrounding region.

Each residency lasts six or nine months, during which fellows live and work at Akademie Schloss Solitude. The program values open-ended exploration, interdisciplinarity, and cultural diversity.

Who Can Apply

The fellowship is designed for artists, researchers, and cultural practitioners who have established an independent professional practice and are in a phase of further development. Applicants should have at least two years and no more than ten years of professional experience after completing formal education or equivalent training.

While the program targets mid-career professionals, applications from more experienced practitioners will be considered if the fellowship clearly aligns with their current professional trajectory.

Applicants must demonstrate:

• A strong, independent practice.
• A clear vision for how the fellowship will contribute to their growth.
• Openness to interdisciplinary exchange.

Those still enrolled in a degree program (except doctoral candidates) or holding a full professorship are not eligible.

Collectives of up to two individuals may apply if they have worked together for at least two years.
Proficiency in English and/or German is required.

Spheres of Practice

Applications are accepted within six main spheres of practice, each encompassing multiple disciplines:

Visual – Fine Arts & Film/Video
Painting, sculpture, photography, installation, performance art, and filmmaking.

Aural & Physical – Music/Sound & Performing Arts
Music composition, sound installation, dance, choreography, directing, and acting.

Spatial – Architecture & Design
Architecture, urban and landscape planning, product design, scenography, and fashion.

Textual – Literature & Language
Poetry, prose, translation, essays, and dramatic writing in both German and international contexts.

Digital – New Media & Digital Art
Digital, algorithmic, and network-based artistic practices, including gaming, coding, and open-source culture.

Scientific – Humanities & Applied Sciences
This category includes philosophy, media studies, sociology, cultural studies, political science, law, life sciences, and economics.

Fellowship Benefits

Successful applicants receive comprehensive support, including:

• A 6- or 9-month residency in Stuttgart, Germany.
• A monthly stipend of €1,300 to cover living expenses.
• A furnished live/work studio with utilities included.
• Travel reimbursement for arrival and departure.
• Health insurance coverage for non-EU residents.
• Access to workshops and studios (wood, metal, video editing/VR).
• Project funding, depending on budget availability.
• Opportunities to participate in Akademie events and local collaborations.
• Integration into an international community of fellows and cultural partners.

Expectations from Fellows

Fellows are required to:

• Reside in Stuttgart for the entire duration of the fellowship.
• Participate actively in Akademie Schloss Solitude’s community and events.

• Demonstrate openness to interdisciplinary collaboration.
• Engage respectfully with diverse perspectives and identities.
• Contribute to local cultural exchange in Stuttgart and the region.

Application Process

The selection process consists of three stages:

Stage 1 – Open Short Application:
Applicants complete an online form with personal details, practice area, and motivation statement. For spheres receiving high volumes of submissions, a notarised random selection (not using AI) ensures fairness.

Stage 2 – Full Application:
Selected candidates from Stage 1 are invited to submit a detailed proposal and portfolio.

Stage 3 – Jury Selection:
An independent, international jury evaluates applicants based on artistic or scholarly merit, depth of content, relevance, and interdisciplinary potential. The jury’s composition is published alongside the final results.

Selection Criteria

The jury assesses:

• The depth and originality of the applicant’s work.
• The relevance of the project to contemporary discourse.
• The potential for growth and exchange within the Akademie’s community.
• The applicant’s career stage and readiness for interdisciplinary collaboration.

Social impact, innovation, and engagement with new artistic or intellectual forms are also highly valued.

Summary

The Solitude Fellowship remains one of Europe’s most respected residencies for cross-disciplinary exchange. It offers participants the time, resources, and intellectual space to explore new ideas while connecting with a global network of creators and thinkers.

By fostering experimentation and dialogue, the Akademie Schloss Solitude continues to shape a future-oriented, inclusive, and globally connected cultural environment.