The bright private living/working studios are suitable for various “cleaner” disciplines and purposes (such as drawing, collage, photography, digital production, media-art, performance, design, research, literature, arts & crafts, film/video) and are equipped with large working table, chairs, bed, and led panels. Beyond that, the residents have a steadily growing range of art equipment and tools at their disposal, as well as an extensive library and office.
AIR session at SomoS; Jan Verbruggen (BE) speaking about his work.AIR Marcia Vaisman addressing colleagues at SomoS’ salon.AIR singer/producer/multimedia artist Caitlyn Harris working at SomoS.
SomoS Berlin International Artist Residency
SomoS Artist Residency Program offers cultivated, supportive and stimulating surroundings to international visiting artists wishing to realize an artistic project in Berlin. The artist residency, normally completed within three months, is focused on production, experience, critical discourse, networking, and local participation. Staying at SomoS, participants will become a part of a thriving artistic community with an active exhibition and event program and will easily and swiftly become well-acquainted with the creative, networked city that is Berlin.
Fine art photographer Stefanie Wolff presenting her work to SomoS staff during her Berlin artist residency.
SomoS Berlin Artist Residency program includes staff curatorial support sessions, curatorial sessions with visiting art professionals, tours through the ateliers, group critique sessions, joint explorations of Berlin’s cultural landscape, and daily staff support.
Resident artists are accommodated in furnished living/working studios with access to shared areas of SomoS, such as a fully-equipped kitchen, a big social living space, extensive library and office facilities.
A distinct quality of the SomoS Berlin Artist Residency is that artists begin their stay at different points in time, widening the potential for networking and cooperation, and allowing for optimal individual support from SomoS’ staff in their art projects.
SomoS June 2019 Artist-in-Residence, poet and educator Cynthia Arrieu-King, Ph.D. reading from her work during her SomoS Berlin Artist Residency.
Generally, selected artists work towards some kind of public presentation of their work during their stay, either as part of a thematic group show developed by SomoS’ curators, or other forms of public engagement, such as workshops, readings, artist talks, or publications. And some artists, such as those researching or on a sabbatical, may simply want to come and concentrate on their work, embedded in SomoS’ creative environment and organizational support structure.
Examples of public projects involving residents can be found under the exhibitions ad event sections of this web site.
Inquiries for specific periods are welcome and residents will be accepted on a rolling basis.
SomoS accepts both institutional and private applications.
Visual artist Bill Burns showing his work to a group of young artists during his SomoS Berlin Artist Residency.
Costs & Funding
SomoS Berlin Artist Residency program is partially subsidized by SomoS, also in the form of a potential exhibition at the SomoS exhibition space, granted to suitable projects. From January 2023, the program fee is 1.450€ per month. (Fees are evaluated yearly.) We have implemented new discounts to help artists during these difficult times.
Support Discounts
To help artists in these difficult times, we offer two discounts:
Early Bird Discount:
An “early bird” reservation discount of 5% for AIR bookings (AIR agreement signed and reservation fee paid) made at least 6 months before arrival.
Full Fees Payment Discount:
A full fee payment discount of 5%, reserved for participants that make the full payment of the AIR program fee directly after being accepted into the program.
Interested candidates are advised to seek funding well in advance from sponsors/subsidizing organizations. If selected for a residency, we will provide you with a personalized letter of intent to meet the requirements of grant or funding applications.
How to Get Funding:
A good place to start your funding search is arts councils or local government. This could be at a national, regional, or city level. The city-level could have smaller grants for local artists, which are often less competitive with shorter processing times. For larger artistic projects, some national and regional organizations offer grants which might include travel or professional development opportunities.
Another approach could be to research what national initiatives exist for the promotion of culture overseas. Many countries have funding available to encourage artists to engage with international markets and audiences through presentations, touring, relationship building, and collaborative projects including cultural and artistic exchanges. Furtermore, some private organizations and foundations fund cultural activities as part of their philanthropic program.
Other areas to look could be major organizations dedicated to a particular art form, for example, visual arts or performing arts associations. These organizations often list opportunities for artists, or might even provide funding of their own.
If you are an academic, your institution may support creative endeavors as part of a sabbatical, or facilitate research, presentation or project trips.
Alternatively, there are several crowd-funding platforms specifically designed to help artists/artistic projects reach their financial goals.
Artists/curators/researchers interested in SomoS Berlin Artist Residency are advised to seek funding well in advance from sponsors/subsidizing organizations. Below you will find a list of funding opportunities for scholarships, stipends, fellowships, travel grants, etc. which your country offers. If selected for a residency, we can advise further, and provide you with an official declaration of admittance and letter of support.
All applicants to the SomoS Berlin Artist Residency are requested to provide the following materials:
– a cover letter with motivation
– description of the specific project proposal for the period of their residency, maximum 500 words
– proposed dates of the residency, and alternative dates
– a link to their website
– an up-to-date CV
– an artist statement
– a portfolio in pdf format
Please send all application materials and a short message with the title [AIR Application] to SomoS: [email protected]
FAQ
When is the deadline?
Applications to SomoS’ Berlin Artist Residency Program are accepted on a rolling basis, but the earlier you can send us your application the better. We usually plan residencies at least six months in advance, but sometimes we have earlier availability. Therefore, please make sure to include a couple of options for your desired residency period.
When can I start my residency?
Residencies always begin on the third day of the first month of your arrival.
How big are the studios? // How about the facilities)
There are three main studios dedicated to visual artists in residence. They are each between 24 and 35 square meters. There are three shared bathrooms, and a large social space/kitchen/library. Furthermore, in-between of exhibitions, our spacious gallery space can be used on request by residents for short periods, for instance for shoots, rehearsals, stagings, sessions etc.
Do I qualify for a visa?
Please note that SomoS is not a visa-sponsoring institution for either student visas, or employment visas. You are strongly encouraged to look into the requirements of your individual country for coming to Germany before applying. In most cases, the SomoS artist residency in Berlin can be completed on a tourist visa within three months, but please be advised to contact your local German embassy to confirm any details well in advance.
Am I guaranteed/need to do an exhibition?
We will work with you to find the most appropriate method to present your work, if you wish for public engagement during the artist residency. For some artists, this will clearly be a (group or short solo) exhibition, for others, it could be a more informal artist talk or presentation, a book reading, performance, film screening, workshop, or another possibility. In any case, you will have at least one chance to publicly present your work during your residency.
How is the location?
The location is great. We are centrally located, at the epicenter of the creative communities of Kreuzberg and Neukölln, and near the city center, Berlin-Mitte. There are many artspaces, cafés, bars, and restaurants in the local area, and anything in the way of art supplies and daily neccesities can be found right at your doorstep. Parks and sports facilities are nearby as well. Moreover, public transit is right outside the door, so you can quickly get anywhere you want in Berlin.
Who are the other Artists-in-Residence?
We generally host at least three/four resident creatives at a time. They are from all over the world, working in many different genres and disciplines. SomoS residency is not a large initiative with random cohorts, but instead “curates” the selection of paricipants to create a considered, inspiring mix in the way of background, experience and occupation. You can check out the list of past residents to get an idea of what types of artists come to live and work with us in Berlin. One thing you can be sure of, is that your peers at the SomoS artist residency will always be civil, respectful and supportive! And of course super talented like you.
How do I get there?
Berlin is easily reachable from many international destinations. You will be responsible for securing your own travel arrangements to Berlin.
How long does the residency take?
Allthough we can accomodate short research residencies, to properly experience the artist residency, it is generally required to stay for at least three months, and longer periods are welcome. Residents are strongly encouraged to plan to stay for a minimum of three months.
Are residencies always available?
Residents arrive on a staggered basis so that studios might not always be available for the period you request. As a result, please note your desired period of residency as well as a second choice. If you can be flexible with your starting date by one or two months, that is always very helpful.
Can I stay for longer or extend my residency?
A longer residency is possible and can make sense for more involved art projects.
Can I bring my partner?
Generally, the artist residency is for individuals. Friends, partners and family may be able to visit for short periods, but please contact us to discuss this in advance. Moreover, artists who work as pairs or in a team on the same project may have the possibility to come to the residency together, but this also must be discussed in advance. Single parents can be accomodated.
Can I bring a pet?
Sorry, but as much as we love animals, pets are not allowed to stay at SomoS. Service animals are fine.
Do I have to speak German?
Berlin is a very cosmopolitan city with people from all around the world living and working here. You can definitely get by here with little or no knowledge of German, but of course, knowing a little bit is always a good idea. However, since our residents come from all over the world, the main language is English, but don’t be surprised if you hear people speaking all sorts of other ones as well.
What does the artist residency cost?
The residency is partially subsidized by SomoS. The remaining fee is 1450€ per month. Interested artists/curators/researchers are advised to seek funding well in advance from sponsors/subsidizing organizations; see funding section below. If selected for a residency, we can provide you with an official personalized declaration of admittance. We are proud of the fact that a majority of our applicants are successful in obtaining funding.
What does the cost of the residency include?
The price of the residency includes all costs associated with the residency including the live and work studio space, free admission or participation in all SomoS events, consultation and critique sessions with curators from SomoS and associated outside ones, daily staff support, some form of public presentation, and publicity in our popular social media channels and press. Furthermore, as we love to engage with the ideas behind your art, the residency includes competent art writing, with insightful original essay about your work, viewable on our well-visited website and other channels forever, no cut-and-paste jobs here! Artists must cover their own material costs for the work they produce, also food, and health and liability insurance.
Health Information
There are no COVID-19 restrictions in place in Berlin anymore. Participants in any of our physical programs are responsible for making sure that they have proper health insurance. European Union citizens can do so by obtaining an EU Health Insurance Card. Non-EU citizens must arrange for their own health insurance. (Residents are strongly advised to take out liability insurance as well.)
SomoS is centrally located on the first floor of a 1890’s mixed residential/commercial building at a lively main street near Kottbusser Tor; a renovated former Konzertcafe, pool hall and cinema complex in the middle of the vibrant cosmopolitan creative area connecting the Kreuzberg and Neukoelln areas, near the Berlin-Mitte city center. Within walking distance are numerous cafes, restaurants, clubs, art spaces, galleries, art supply stores, and art institutions like Künstlerhaus Bethanien, the BBK Print Facilities and Media Studios, Kunstraum Kreuzberg/Bethanien and NGBK.
Transport: U-Bahnhof Schönleinstrasse (subway line U8) is right at the doorstep, as is the N8 Nightbus stop. It is a short walk from U-Bahnhof Kottbusser Tor (subway line U1). Here you’ll find a taxi stand as well.
