„Mecklenburg Inspires“ is an international residency program for artists and cultural operators from all disciplines. It is located on the German Riviera, the beautiful German Baltic coast around Kühlungsborn, Heiligendamm and Bad Doberan.

“Mecklenburg Inspires” is also a cultural project for the region and intends to make a contribution to its sustainable development through the creativity of artists from different origins and disciplines in dialogue with the local inhabitants. Like this, the region which experiences waves of tourists throughout the summer, is being culturally and qualitatively animated during the off-season.

And last but not least “Mecklenburg Inspires” is an innovative experiment of support of the cultural sector and cooperation between the arts and tourism. Through the creation of a rich network it strengthens both sectors and creates new opportunities and visions for the region.

Artists on the coast!

Our association initiates cultural projects for the region in collaboration with international artists and the partners of our networks. All project ideas develop in dialogue with those connected to our local, regional, national and international network, young and old, professionals and amateurs.
Our most important activity is the artist residency program. It constitutes the “raw material” on which all other projects are being developed. It is divided into three programmatic strands:

• Residencies for artists and cultural operators from all disciplines. The cultural association “Mecklenburg Inspires” invites artists during the off season to stay and work inspired by the region. The art work will then be exhibited or presented in front of an audience. In the planning of each residency season, the project manager plans with each invited artist a parallel activity, depending on the artists interests and skills. The aim of the parallel activity is to produce an output or impact that will remain with the region or its people after the artist has left. We particularly welcome theme- or site-specific proposals of the artists himself when applying for a residency.

• “Mecklenburg Inspires” publishes calls for thematic projects, that interested artists can apply for.

• We give bursaries to artists that have excelled for their work. This mostly happens in partnership with other cultural organisations, such as the George-Tabori-Price of the German Foundation for the Performing Arts.

Conditions

• You are a professional artist or cultural operator (we define professionalism not in relation to economic success but by the fact that the persons’ professional activity mainly concentrates on the artistic/cultural productive activity)
• We acknowledge as supported disciplines: visual arts, media arts, performing arts (dance, theatre, life art, performance), music, creative writing, art- and cultural management, cultural research, curation.
• Admitted are single artists and groups. Generally we give residencies of no more than 10 days to groups.
• In order to participate in any of the programs, basic knowledge of either the German or English are required.
• In the planning of each residency season, the project manager plans with each invited artist a parallel activity, depending on the artists interests and skills. The aim of the parallel activity is to produce an output or impact that will remain with the region or its people after the artist has left.
• The artist is expected to prepare a public presentation of his work.
• Please note the following deadlines for applications:
  15. June July for autumn residencies (beginning of November until mid December)
  15. August for winter residencies (mid January until end of march)

Information

• The residencies take place during the off season, from the beginning of November until the end of March. Artists are invited to stay for a duration of six to 8 weeks. Longer stays, if required, can be negotiated.
• We offer accommodation in our houses (3 – 5 stars), free meals (half-board and the possibility to prepare sandwiches for lunch) and work spaces.
• At the moment we don’t cover travel and material costs. We are happy to write invitations in order to support your search for mobility- and other grants.
• The artists have 3 days to familiarise with the new environment and they will be introduced to the region.
• We offer a light artist support, but no permanent supervision.
• There will be an exhibition or performance of the artists work in a local exhibition hall and there will be media coverage of the artists work and stay in the region.
• As there are several international artists from different disciplines, there will be the opportunity to network, informally and during our weekly art drinks. Artists in residency will also meet regional artists. It is our aim to facilitate further project development for the artists through our networks.

The following materials are needed for application:

• Motivation letter (max. 1 page)
• CV/artistic vita (max. 1 page)
• Selection of max. 5 representative art works
• Optional: press material (max. 3 pieces)
• Optional: project proposal (1 page – we particularly welcome theme- or site-specific proposals of the artists himself when applying for a residency)
• List of required technical materials (simple!)
• preferred dates of residency

Please send all in digital format in one single pdf document to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Please consider to make you application easily readable and compact for the jury. We will contact you within the following two months, after the applications have been evaluated by our jury.

Note: please do not send more than the required material. This will negatively influence your application.

Calls for projects are being published separately. Please check our link “Open Calls” for current opportunities.

It is not possible to apply for bursaries.