For artists and curators eager to immerse themselves in Berlin’s artistic scene, Scope BLN offers the opportunity to truly connect with the community. Located in a historic building in Moabit, once home to three Jewish sisters who left their legacy, the artist residency is a hideaway for international creatives. The entire building is filled with creatives from diverse disciplines, fostering a collaborative environment. Residents can also take part in events such as the Ostermin and B-LA-M festivals, as well as Open Studios, allowing for unique interactions with Berlin’s art lovers. The residency culminates in a solo exhibition and artist talk.
Boris Kostadinov, Curator and Director of Scope BLN, shared: “Many of our residents already have established careers, and the program gives them new opportunities to expand their network of contacts with institutions, curators, galleries, or educational structures, as well as to work directly in the dynamic artistic environment of Berlin, creating new professional collaborations.”
Artists are housed in a tastefully decorated space, including a private, spacious studio, a shared kitchen, and a private room. Additionally, they benefit from the expert guidance of Boris Kostadinov.
Application period: Open year-round
Duration: 6 or 12 months
Fee: €1300 (single artist), €1600 (artistic duo)
Located in Berlin’s creative nucleus, Kreuzberg, SomoS Arts offers an inspiring residency program that focuses on community engagement, visibility, and fostering connections within the city’s dynamic art scene. Welcoming both emerging and established artists from around the globe, SomoS Arts provides a range of residency options, including traditional, virtual, and curatorial formats, allowing artists to choose the best fit for their practice.
Throughout the residency, artists will have ample opportunities to showcase their work through exhibitions and public events, while engaging directly with Berlin’s eclectic arts community. With flexible residency durations ranging from one to twelve months, this program is ideal for those seeking professional growth, collaboration, and exposure in one of Europe’s most creative cities.
Application period: Open year-round
Fee: €1450 per month, with Early Bird and Full Fees Payment discounts available
Duration: 1 to 12 months
Address: Kottbusser Damm 95, 10967 Berlin, Germany
The DAAD Artists-in-Berlin Program is the mecca for those looking to present their innovative and experimental art to a global audience. As a prestigious art residency in Berlin, DAAD offers fully-funded residencies to established international artists in the fields of fine art, literature, film, and music. It offers approximately 20 fellowships yearly, inviting artists to live and create in Berlin for about a year. Selected artists receive a stipend, furnished housing, travel expenses, insurance, and German lessons.
The DAAD artist-in-residence program prioritizes artistic diversity, offering a platform for voices from around the world to engage with Berlin’s vibrant cultural landscape. By encouraging the creation of groundbreaking work and meaningful dialogues about the freedom of the arts, the residency supports the next wave of experimental art that challenges and shapes cultural narratives.
Application period: Annually (typically between May and June)
Duration: Approx. 12 months
Fee: Fully-funded (includes stipend, housing, travel expenses)
Address: Oranienstrasse 161, 10969 Berlin
At GlogauAIR, a historic Berlin building designed by architect Ludwig Hoffmann in 1896 becomes a global meeting point for visual and multimedia artists. Known for its emphasis on cross-cultural collaboration, GlogauAIR offers on-site residencies in 13 shared studios where artists can live, create, and connect with a vibrant network of peers and a local GlobbauAIR guest artist. For those unable to be on-site, GlogauAIR also offers a virtual program with group meetings, expert talks, and workshops.
At the end of each three-month residency cycle, participants showcase their projects in open studio events, allowing them to engage with the public and share their artistic journey. These events are also available online, ensuring that GlogauAIR remains a key part of Berlin’s artistic landscape, promoting ongoing dialogue and collaboration between artists worldwide.
Application period: Open year-round
Duration: 3-month cycles
Fee: Varies (depending on residency type)
Address: Glogauer Str. 16, 10999 Berlin
ZK/U Berlin (Center for Art and Urbanistics) is an innovative residency program located in Moabit, near Berlin’s largest inland port, Westhafen. Spanning across two to 12 months, the ZK/U artist residency invites artists, scholars, and practitioners to explore the phenomenon of ‘the city’ and urban transformation through creative experimentation. Fellows present their work through intimate weekly dinners or public events like the OPENHAUS open studio, and their projects often intersect with the local community through initiatives such as the GÜTERMARKT flea market and SPEISEKINO cinema nights. ZK/U also supports the self-publishing efforts of its residents, contributing to a growing archive that encourages ongoing exchange between past and present fellows.
By linking local artistic practices with global discourses, ZK/U fosters the idea that art can act as a catalyst for transformation in urban development, and its residents have a unique opportunity to develop that.
Application period: Open year-round
Duration: 2 to 12 months
Fee: €650 to €1000 per month (contact for more details)
Address: Siemensstraße 27, 10551 Berlin, Germany
Takt AIR Berlin is one of three artist residency programs in Berlin, Leipzig, and Zeitz. Since 2003, Takt welcomes emerging and established artists across various disciplines, featuring regular studio visits, artist-led critiques, life drawing classes, German language lessons, and exhibition opportunities. They even have a kiln for clay enthusiasts, as well as three pianos for music-lovers. In 2024/25/26, Takt Berlin is offering self-guided, solitude studio residencies for writers, artists, creatives, encouraging independent work while engaging with the local art scene.
Located in the vibrant area of Prenzlauer Berg, Takt is also home to the TAPIR Gallery and offers access to a wider network of arts events and exhibitions, along with a final residency exhibition. The residency is designed to help artists refine their practice, gain exposure, and engage with Berlin’s dynamic art scene.
Application period: Open year-round
Duration: 1 (minimum) to 6 months
Fee: Starting from €1600. Contact Takt Berlin for more details.
Künstlerhaus Bethanien is an esteemed residency program located in Berlin's Kreuzberg district, in a historic former hospital. The residency is ideal for both national and international visual artists across various disciplines seeking to explore innovative concepts in a cross-disciplinary context. It provides individual studio spaces, and residencies are financed by international bursaries. They typically last 12 months, during which artists can work on their projects, culminating in a public presentation at the Künstlerhaus Bethanien galleries. The program also offers support for those wishing to produce project-related publications, with staff assistance available.
With its focus on collaborative dialogue and public engagement, Künstlerhaus Bethanien is an excellent platform for artists looking to develop their practice in a dynamic and inspiring setting.
Application period: Annually (typically in the spring)
Duration: 12 months
Fee: Fully funded through international bursaries
Address: Kottbusser Str. 10/d, 10999 Berlin, Germany
While some residencies require a fee, there are many artist grants that can help you fund your experience.
First, check with your national arts councils and culture ministries for available opportunities. They often provide support for artists to join residencies abroad, covering costs like travel, residency fees, and accommodation. For example, in Germany, Kulturstiftung des Bundes (Federal Cultural Foundation), Stiftung Kunstfonds, and Goethe-Institut provide grants for German residents that support art exchanges in Berlin, Germany, and beyond.
Of course, there are also private foundations that offer an array of funding opportunities for emerging and established talents, further fostering the dialogue between arts, society, and business. Based in Berlin, the Contemporary Arts Alliance (CAA) Berlin offers grants designed to support young talent in the fields of visual arts, theater, music, and dance, both financially and in practical matters through events and workshops. Other private foundations worldwide include Pollock-Krasner Foundation (US), Pro Helvetia (Switzerland), and the Japan Foundation.
There are also many international mobility grants, especially for European citizens that can fund your Berlin artist residency. Programs such as the Cultural Mobility Funding Guide by On the Move, Culture Moves Europe, and i-Portunus (EU) support artists in traveling abroad for creative exchange. These grants foster cross-cultural collaborations within Europe and beyond.
And lastly, some national embassies and consulates offer support to their citizens in Germany, so you should check with your respective embassies about funding options for Berlin residencies.
As you embark on your creative journey in 2025, Berlin awaits with open arms, ready to help you take your artistic vision to the next level through an art residence. Embrace the city's legacy and energy, and let it fuel your own artistic evolution.
