In 2022, »Kultur einer Digitalstadt« is inviting applications for three Artist-in-Science-Residencies for artists of all disciplines for the first time. The studio residencies on the Rosenhöhe in Darmstadt are each linked to one of the renowned Darmstadt research institutes.
Cooperation partners are the European Space Agency (ESA) / European Space Operations Centre (ESOC), the
Helmholtz Centre for Heavy Ion Research (GSI) and the Hessian Center for Artificial Intelligence (hessian.AI).
The Artist-in-Science-Residence-Programme
Within the framework of the »Artist-in-Science-Residence« (AiSR), which will be carried out for the first time in 2022, three artist residencies will be carried out, each in cooperation with one of Darmstadt‘s leading scientific institutes. An important concern of the AiSR is to enable synergies and make them visible through an encounter of the comprehensive scientific and technical potentials within the city with the equally comprehensive and relevant cultural and artistic tradition.
The AiSR is aimed at artists of all disciplines. The six-week studio residency on the Rosenhöhe in Darmstadt is linked to to cooperation with renowned Darmstadt Research institutes – the European Space Agency (ESA) / European Space Operations Centre (ESOC), the Helmholtz Centre for Heavy Ion Research (GSI) and the Hessian Center for Artificial Intelligence (hessian.AI). The scholarship holders have their own studio at Rosenhöhe and – depending on the possibilities of the cooperating institute – a workplace at the research institutions.
The aims of the programme are: To provide artists with access to institutions, to promote sustainable exchange between science and art, to further develop independent artistic research, and to present and publish the projects carried out during the AiSR.
In addition, it is expressly desired that the artists participate in the association‘s outreach programme, for example with an outreach project as part of the association‘s youth work or as a participant in a Digital*Salon. The AiSR is an attendance scholarship: it is a prerequisite that the scholarship holders spend at least two thirds of their scholarship period in the Atelierhaus.
Who can apply?
The six-week Artist-in-Science-Residence is open to artists of all disciplines who
…propose an artistic project that can be realised in cooperation with one of the institutes mentioned. An engagement with the desired institution is expected. Concrete questions to the institutes are desired.
…who are working as freelance artists.
…who are interested in exchanging and communicating their artistic work (e.g. talks, open studio, exhibition, youth project, Digital*Salon or similar).
Language skills in German and/or English and/or French are required.
The application of artist:in duos is possible in principle.
Please note that an increase of the grant amount is not possible.
It is possible to bring along underage children, provided that care is arranged. The organisers will support the scholarship holders in an advisory capacity.
Please note that it is not possible to increase the scholarship amount.
For what period are the scholarships advertised?
A total of three 6-week fellowships will be carried out in the period from June to October 2022. Each fellowship is related to one of the three cooperating research institutions. The fellowships are subject to a presence requirement.
The specific period of stay will be agreed upon in consultation with the scholarship holders and the participating institutes.
What does the Artist-in-Science-Residence offer?
• A six-week stay in the studio house Ludwig-Engel- Weg 1 at Darmstadt‘s Rosenhöhe in the immediate vicinity of Mathildenhöhe
• Access to the cooperating institute and work opportunities in accordance with the proposed project and the resources there
• A scholarship totalling 3,000 EUR
• Reimbursement of travel expenses according to expenditure up to a maximum of € 1,000
• An exhibition space in which to present during or at the conclusion of the residency
• Publication and communication of the project via KeD‘s social media channels
How can I apply?
An application is only possible via an online application form with upload function.
You can access the online application here:
https://kultur-digitalstadt.de/registrierung/
Applications can be submitted until 31 March 2022, 23:59 CET. Applications sent after this date will not be considered.
Please note that experience has shown that there are numerous accesses to the application mask on the last day and that this leads to complications when entering your data and sending the applications. Please use the entire application period.
What do we expect from the scholarship holders?
• Presence in Darmstadt during the scholarship period
• At least one public project or work presentation
• A final documentation and factual report (no later than one month after completion, form to be agreed)
• The provision of free image material for the project and the participating research institution
How are the scholarship holders selected?
The submitted applications are checked for completeness and whether they fulfil the conditions of the call for applications.
The three scholarship holders will be selected by a jury consisting of representatives from research institutions and KeD as well as experts from cultural institutions in Darmstadt. Following the jury‘s decision, all applicants will be informed promptly by e-mail of their acceptance or rejection.
The jury‘s decision cannot be appealed.
Who can I contact if I have questions about the call for proposals?
Please refer to the FAQs on page six of this document.
If you have any further questions or problems with the application form, please send an e-mail to:
Due to the corona pademic, it is currently difficult to forecast a problem-free implementation of the AiSR.
Should there be any disruptions, we will do our best to take them into account.
Please note that the scholarships and their payment can only be granted if the general pandemic conditions allow them to be carried out.
The consideration and decision on this will be made by the partner institutes and KeD.
The payment of the scholarship amount is in any case linked to a stay at Ludwig-Engel-Weg 1 during the residency.
This also applies if access to the partner institutes is possibly restricted.
European Space Operations Centre ESOC (https://www.esa.int/About_Us/ESOC)
ESOC in Darmstadt is Europe’s centre of excellence for satellite operations. From there engineering teams control ESA’s spacecraft. With industry they develop the ground systems that support these missions, and many others. It is also home to ESA’s Space Safety program, protecting our Earth from debris, Space Weather and Near Earth Objects. Since 1967, over 100 satellites have been operated successfully from ESOC. These satellites provide a wealth of scientific data, from the source of the universe, to more down to earth topics such as climate change. We offer the chance to take this universal data, and to turn it into a local experience.
Helmholtz Centre for Heavy Ion Research GSI (https://www.gsi.de/en/start/news)
The GSI is an institute, which operates a unique accelerator facility for heavy ions including the new accelerator FAIR (facility for antiproton and ion research), one of the largest research projects worldwide. FAIR will give possibilities for scientists worldwide to gain new insights into the structure of matter and the evolution of the universe from the Big Bang to the present. With the Artist-in-Science- Residence GSI/FAIR establishes an interdisciplinary dialogue between artists and physicists offering the
opportunity to investigate artistic questions and reflect them in scientific context. E.g. How does art influence the understanding of matter and anti-matter?
Hessian Center for Artificial Intelligence (https://hessian.ai/)
The research of new types of AI systems that have thinking and communication abilities and that can be attributed to the so-called third wave of AI is the scientific guiding principle of hessian.AI, the newly founded Hessian Center for Artificial Intelligence
as a unique inter-university network of 13 Hessian universities. The centre builds on the existing AI competencies of 22 scientists from 13 Hessian universities and is supplemented by 20 new AI professorships. To enable cutting-edge research, scientists can draw on a high- performance hardware/software infrastructure.
Kultur einer Digitalstadt e.V. (https://kultur-digitalstadt.de/)
»Kultur einer Digitalstadt« is an interdisciplinary project that addresses creative artists and those interested in culture from Darmstadt, the surrounding region and beyond. KeD sees itself as a platform from which different aspects of digitality, can be observed, commented on and co-designed, from an artistic and cultural perspective. With the AiSR, KeD wants to offer the possibility to bring together the scientific potentials of the city with the equally comprehensive and relevant cultural and artistic tradition. Such a linkage of artistic and scientific research on common themes and questions can make a significant contribution to the understanding of the world, of man and his society.
FAQ
Application
Can I apply in paper form?
No, the application and references must be completed and submitted online.
Where can I apply?
Applications must be submitted digitally only via the online application portal:
https://kultur-digitalstadt.de/registrierung/
What application materials do I need to submit?
• Short artistic curriculum vitae with information on education, exhibitions, awards, scholarships, publications, etc. (PDF max. two A4 pages)
• Description of the project (max. 3000 characters)
• Work samples (PDF max. 15 MB)
• Scan of identity card / passport
Who can apply?
Participation is open to freelance artists from all genres of art. The previous work should be evident from the submitted documents or is proven, for example, by an artistic degree. There is no age limit. An independent, contemporary position should be recognisable.
Is there a fee for the application?
No, the application is free of charge.
Jury
Will I receive a statement of reasons for the jury‘s decision?
Due to the large number of applications, we are unfortunately unable to provide individual feedback.
Arrival
Can I travel as I wish as long as I stay within the maximum budget of € 1,000?
No, if you travel by train, 2nd class tickets will be reimbursed, if you travel by car, a mileage allowance of € 0.30/km will be reimbursed. Flights will only be reimbursed if travel by land is not possible at reasonable expense. If a journey is only possible at a higher cost, this can be discussed on a case-by-case basis.
Accommodation / Studio
How can I imagine the studio house?
You can find more information here: https://kultur-digitalstadt.de/ueber-ked/lew-1/
Are there other spaces that I can use?
As part of the collaboration between HUB31/LAB3 and KeD, a workshop and makerspace are available.
Can the AiSR programme accommodate people with disabilities?
Unfortunately, KeD‘s premises are not barrier-free due to historic preservation. In individual cases, a realization of the stay can be discussed.
Do I need a car for this stay?
No, the KeD premises are very centrally located in Darmstadt and easy to reach by public transport.
Can my partner/child attend the residency with me?
Partners and children of visiting artists may visit and/or stay in the accommodation provided during the residency, provided they do not interfere with the objectives of the residency.
Can I bring my pet?
No, pets are not allowed in the accommodation.
AiSR and the Corona Pandemic
Do I have to be vaccinated against Covid-19?
Yes, due to the regualtions in Germany to control the corona virus and the also highly regulated access to the institutes, the best possible vaccination protection according to German legislation is required at the time of starting the residency.
Can the residency take place even if I do not have access to the institute?
Yes, it would be possible, for example, to work in the studio at Ludwig-Engel-Weg 1 with data provided by the institutes.
Will I get the scholarship payment if the residency cannot take place due to the Corona Pandemic?
No, the payment of the scholarship amount is always linked to a stay at Ludwig-Engel-Weg 1 during the residency. This also applies if access to the partner institutes may be restricted.
Do I have health insurance through the scholarship?
No, the scholarship holders must ensure that they have sufficient insurance cover themselves.
contact:
Kultur einer Digitalstadt e.V.
Ludwig-Engel-Weg 1
64287 Darmstadt
Website: kultur-digitalstadt.de
Mail: