Breadcrumbs
Open Call: Zu Gast 2026
© Daniel Sadrowski
Application Deadline
27.3.2026
Research Stay
1.9.-30.11.2026
Open Call
FAQ
Application form
Contact
Urbane Künste Ruhr is awarding three research residencies at the House for the History of the Ruhr in Bochum.
Together with the History of the Ruhr Foundation (Stiftung Geschichte des Ruhrgebiets), we are awarding three three-month research residencies at the House for the History of the Ruhr (Haus der Geschichte des Ruhrgebiets) in Bochum for the year 2026. The programme is aimed at artists whose practice includes research and who are interested in developing a contemporary perspective on the Ruhr region and its themes. Through the affiliation with the foundation and a workspace at the House for the History of the Ruhr, including access to the library and archive, the residency enables an intensive engagement with the region.
During the research phase, residents are invited to develop a project idea in close exchange with the local curatorial team. Depending on its suitability, the project may become part of a curated public programme in Duisburg in 2027.
Questions of mobility and positioning within the art field, institutional critique, and context-specific artistic practices will be part of the event’s programme in Duisburg in 2027 and are explicitly welcome as points of departure. The residency is particularly suitable for artists working with text, language, film, or performance.
The History of the Ruhr Foundation
Founded in 1998, the foundation promotes research about the history and present of the Ruhr area and provides extensive publications and journals as well as numerous archives for this purpose. The foundation building houses the Library of the Ruhr and the archive, which are both available to artists. The archive also contains numerous documents on artistic projects and project plans in the context of the European Capital of Culture RUHR.2010 GmbH. In addition, there is a close connection to the Institute for Social Movements (Institut für Soziale Bewegungen) at the Ruhr University Bochum, from which the guest artists can also benefit.
For whom?
The programme is aimed at professional artists whose practice is related to artistic research and who have a particular interest in working with archives.
It is mandatory that the artists spend at least 75% of their time in the Ruhr area.
What does the Programme in Cooperation with the History of the Ruhr Foundation offer?
- A research stay from 1.9. – 30.11.2026 with curatorial support and close exchange with the team of Urbane Künste Ruhr
- Support with networking in the region
- A guest artist's fee of € 5,000 gross
- A workspace in the foundation's building
- Costs for arrival and departure will be covered once
- Accommodation in Bochum will be provided
- Reimbursement of public transport travel costs for research purposes
Application Modalities for the Guest Artist Programme
We welcome applications from all people regardless of gender, nationality, ethnic and social origin, religious affiliation, disability, age, gender issues and identity. We offer our support in finding suitable solutions for individual needs, for example regarding accessibility.
Documents Required for All Submissions:
- Summary of the proposed project (three sentences)
- Description of the proposed project for the stay, including a motivation for the specific interest in the programme (max. 3 pages)
- Curriculum vitae (max. 1 page)
- Portfolio or an overview of two to three projects (max. 10 pages)
We ask applicants to compile the application documents as one PDF file (maximum file size 8 MB, titled first name_last name)
Application Process:
- Application Deadline: 27.3.2026
- Submission of application documents via online form
- An expert jury will select the artistic positions
- Applicants will be notified from late April 2026 onwards
Questions can be directed to
zugast@urbanekuensteruhr.de
Alisha Raissa Danscher (Curator Urbane Künste Ruhr)
Jolande Hörrmann (Project Coordination)