Thomas Hirschler and Kaja Witt are working artists, each with their own practice, as well as a collaborative production studio (schriftbecher.de) and gallery on-site.
We maintain an inclusive, impartial, and open jury process. Our jury is made up of local artists, past residents, and peers. Submit what you feel is your strongest work. We request all necessary materials before assembling the jury.
Yes. Artist duos should submit individual applications, but specify under “Comment to the Jury” that they are applying together. Residents may share the living space with a partner, via a written request, as this will determine bedrooms. Families and children are welcome, but please notify us ASAP. If a partner is to share lodging, residents are required to pay a 15€/night fee for their partner’s use. If a partner wishes to also use the resident’s studio, they are required to pay 20€/night. We encourage partners/children to spend their time exploring Berlin, and ask that they do not “hang out” in the shared studios, out of respect for the other residents.
Due to potential allergies, and out of respect for our artists, we do not permit Resident Artists to bring a pet.
We provide the basics shelter, linens, towels, cleaning supplies, and studio space. Laundry facilities are on-site. Artists are responsible for groceries, art supplies, transportation, and other basic needs.
Unfortunately, due to the layout of our premises, we are unable to accommodate artists who require a wheelchair.
You will be provided with a furnished living space. Bedrooms and a shared bathroom are in the Villa. Bedrooms include a bed, closet, desk, and lighting. Linens and towels are provided. Your shared kitchen, living space, two additional 1⁄2 bathrooms, and the studios are located in another building on the property, along with laundry facilities. Bedrooms are on the 2nd and 3rd floor in the villa, accessible by a narrow staircase.
It should be noted that the artists’ bedrooms are located on the 2nd and 3rd floor of the Villa. The rooms can only be accessed by a very steep and narrow staircase. It should also be noted that the two top floor bedrooms need to use the stairway to access the communal bathroom. There are no other options as this is a 118 year old building.
The communal kitchen, dining room and living room are located in a separate building a short walk (15 meters) from the Villa, these spaces are also located on the upper floor, only accessible by a staircase.
All the studio spaces are on the ground floor.
Your studio includes tables, a chair, shelving, and ample lighting. We have an electric wheel available. There are also basic ceramic tools, scissors, glue, scales, fabrics, boards, spinning wheels, buckets and bowls, towels, etc. available in the studio.
Our ceramic materials come from Börkey Keratech (www.keratech.de), located in Charlottenburg. Resident Artists receive a 10% discount. We recommend visiting there soon after your arrival, as delivery takes 2-3 days.
Boesner (www.boesner.com) and Modulor (www.modulor.de), are Berlin’s large art stores. Boesner is around 25 minutes away and Modulor is about 35 minutes away by transit. Obi is the closest hardware store, a 20 minute walk from our premises.
All of our buildings are wi-fi accessible.
Summer can be very hot, and winter can be very cold, grey, and wet. Spring and fall both fluctuate. We don’t have air conditioning in any of our buildings, but the buildings can be cooled effectively. In the winter, our buildings are heated, and we provide blankets/comforters. In the winter you will need to bundle up. You might want to bring a swimsuit in the summer.
That is fine! You are not beholden to your initial proposal. We have had artists come here to work in the studio, but also artists who come to work on tenure and grant applications, to approach galleries, to do material research, and simply to reassess/rejuvenate/stare at a blank wall.
We understand that jobs and other life circumstances may unexpectedly affect your availability after you’ve scheduled your residency. If you wish to reschedule your residency after you have made your deposit:
At least 60 days prior to your scheduled date of arrival: We will be happy to work with you to find new dates subject to scheduling availability. Your deposit will be applied to your new residency.
Fewer than 60 days prior to your scheduled date of arrival: We may not be able to accommodate your request; in that case, your residency will be cancelled, and you will forfeit your deposit.
You are asked to follow the current requirements entering Germany by plane from another country, from overseas. You find up-to-the-minute information concerning your travel on the site of the German Ministry of Health.