Participatory Residency Program 2025

The Participatory Residency Program is an annual funding program of the Akademie der Künste der Welt (ADKDW). The program includes a paid residency in Cologne (Köln) and the support of an art project. The residency program lasts 6 months and is different every year.

The Participatory Residency Program 2025 is for artists, activists and cultural workers with disabilities.
The organisers know that there are different types of disability. People with disabilities face disadvantages due to the barriers in society. This is important to participate in the program: Do you describe yourself as disabled, neuro-diverse or deaf? Then you can apply. They particularly encourage applications from people who are affected by multiple discrimination. For example, because of their disability and their gender.

They are looking for people who artistically explore the themes of criticism of power, participation, and taking part in contemporary culture. The following topics are particularly important to the organisers:

• Ableism: Ableism is the discrimination against people with disabilities. The idea is that people with disabilities are worth less or have fewer skills than non-disabled people.
• Post-colonialism: Until the end of the Second World War, European countries oppressed and exploited other countries around the world. The consequences of this colonialism are still visible today.
• Multiple discrimination: Many people are affected by discrimination in several ways. For example, women with disabilities. Your Age, sexual orientation, where you are from, and how you look can also lead to multiple discrimination.

The participatory residency program lasts from April to September 2025. It will develop a participatory project for the Un-Label network. This means that you will plan and develop activities and events in Cologne together with the community, in this case people with disabilities. All forms of art are allowed.

During the program the artists will be provided with these things:

• Rooms for work and for events: They will discuss at what time you need which rooms. You can use the rooms for a maximum of 6 weeks.
• One-bedroom apartment in Cologne: The apartment is furnished, has a balcony and an elevator. The apartment is not fully accessible. But they can provide mobile ramps and install grab bars in the bathroom, for example.
• Office and work materials: The organisers provide all the materials you need and basic equipment for events.
• Money: During the program, you receive the following amounts:
  - 2,000 euros per month as a scholarship
  - a maximum of 8,000 euros for the implementation of your project
  - 5,000 euros for accessibility measures in the project
  - 5,000 euros for personal assistance or mentoring
  - a maximum of 2,000 euros for travel (for example for tickets or visas)
  - a maximum of 2,000 euros for the project documentation and public relations work

The organisers also support you with a strong local network and put you in touch with the art community in Cologne so that you can get to know people and network.

The Participatory Residency Program is not only open to individuals, but also to groups in the fields of art and culture. But they cannot provide more money for groups in the program. (see list above).

Important: Unfortunately, they cannot pay for permanent assistance, for example sign language interpreters or mobility assistance. Artists with a permanent need for assistance can only participate
if they have their own assistant to support them.

Your application must include this information:

• Personal information: Give an overview with your name, place of residence, date of birth, e-mail address, website, Instagram profile or similar.
• Description of your project: Explain your project and the planned accessibility measures. Make a financial plan for your project (on their website you can find a template for the financial plan). Include the costs for personal assistance and accessibility.
• Former projects: If you have already worked on similar projects, you can send information about them (maximum 5 pages).
• Personal needs: Make a list of your personal needs, for example in the areas of accessibility or childcare.

These questions can help you describe your project:
• How does your project fit in with us and the requirements (see page 2)?
• Have you already worked on participative projects?
• What is your way of working? How do you express yourself artistically?
• What support would you like to get from Un-Label?
• What problems do artists with disabilities face?
• How can you support other artists?

You can hand in your application in German or English. Please send all application documents in one single PDF file. You are welcome to include a table of contents on the first page. Please send your application by October 15, 2024, by e-mail to [email protected].