Open programmes /
Karl Schmidt-Rottluff Scholarship
Programme Objective
The Karl Schmidt-Rottluff Scholarship is a postgraduate fellowship for outstanding artistic achievement. Every two years, up to five grants are awarded to visual artists who work exclusively or predominately as freelancers. The initial term of the scholarship is one year; it can be extended for one additional year. The scholarship period culminates in a joint group exhibition at Kunsthalle Düsseldorf featuring the two most recent cohorts, as well as the production of a catalogue.
Programme Description
The scholarship was established in 1975 by Karl Schmidt-Rottluff, who donated his private fortune to the Karl Schmidt-Rottluff Foundation. It has cooperated with the Studienstiftung des deutschen Volkes since its inception. As of 2007, the Marianne Ingenwerth Foundation in the Stifterverband für die Deutsche Wissenschaft (Donors’ Association for the Promotion of Sciences and Humanities in Germany) has also been a cooperative partner providing financial support for the scholarship.
There are no restrictions regarding the place of residence or the proposed work during the scholarship.
Scholarship Benefits
- Monthly stipend of 1,200 EUR over a two-year period
- Group exhibition of the two most recent cohorts at Kunsthalle Düsseldorf
- Production of a catalogue at the end of the scholarship period
- Admission to the Studienstiftung and opportunity to participate in educational events
Application Requirements
- To apply you must be a German citizen or a foreign national with a German higher education entrance qualification (“Bildungsinländer”), a citizen of an EU or EU candidate country, or a non-EU national with a permanent residence permit (reviewed on a case-by-case basis)
- Applicants must have completed the majority of their studies in Germany and live primarily in Germany
- Studies (including master’s programmes and postgraduate/PhD programmes) must be finished by the start of the scholarship
- The terminal degree must be no more than five years old. However, an art degree is not necessary to take part in the selection process
- Applicants should be no older than 35 at the time of nomination – exceptions are possible on a case-by-case basis (e.g. in the event of illness or parental leave)
- Artists who work exclusively in the fields of applied arts/music cannot be nominated
Application Process
Artists must be nominated to apply for the Karl Schmidt-Rottluff Scholarship. It is not possible to apply on an independent basis.
Nominators are:
- Approximately 50 prominent figures working in the field of fine art and art education who are invited by the Studienstiftung to submit a nomination
- State-accredited art colleges in Germany
- Former recipients of the Karl Schmidt-Rottluff Scholarship
The selection process occurs in two stages. Based on the submitted documents, the jury creates a shortlist of applicants who are invited to take part in the main competition. During the main selection process, finalists have the chance to share their work in a jury round that includes discussions and presentations. This is followed by a public presentation of work in an “Open House” event. Applicants must pay for the costs associated with the selection process (transportation, insurance, etc.). A travel grant and daily stipend are provided.
Application Period
The scholarship is awarded every two years. The current awardees were selected in September 2022. The next nomination phase will begin in spring 2024.
Contact
Programme Director
Dr Julia Apitzsch-Haack
Berlin Office
Telephone: +49 30 20370-441
Email: apitzsch(at)studienstiftung(dot)de
Programme Coordination
Anna Teckentrup
Berlin Office
Telephone: +49 30 20370-526
Email: teckentrup(at)studienstiftung(dot)de
Additional Information
Art Editions and Catalogues
Exhibition catalogues can be ordered via email as individual catalogues (10 EUR each) or as a box set (all individual catalogues, 55 EUR plus postage).
Remaining exhibition catalogues from previous cohorts are available on request.
Art editions created and signed by the artists who participated in the 2016 and 2019 exhibitions at Kunsthalle Düsseldorf are also available. Please find a preview of the 2016 editions (PDF, 1.4 MB) and 2019 editions (2.4 MB) here. The editions can also be ordered via email.