ENGLISH VERSION
As part of the Sustainability by Design transfer project, Folkwang University of the Arts in Essen, Germany is offering two artist / designer in residence scholarships for Indian artists and designers from 01 March 2026 - 31 May 2026 on the topics of Textile and Food.
The Sustainability by Design project, funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) and the Joint Science Conference in the Innovative University funding line, will run from 1 January 2023 to the end of 2027 in the Design department. The aim of the project is to transfer knowledge from sustainability research to society and the economy through design.
We are looking for Indian artists and designers who would like to create a new piece of work in this context.
The »Textile« residency revolves around the themes of craft, longevity, and textiles. We are seeking applications from artists, craftspeople, or designers who cross the boundaries of tradition, craftsmanship, industrialisation, and short-lived consumer structures. The proposed project can involve different approaches – from the abstract or theoretical level to the development and creation of textile objects and/or practices for interacting with them. The inherent contradictions of textiles, such as their versatility on the one hand and the exploitation of the environment and people on the other, should be explored and challenged to promote a sustainable approach.
For the residency on the topic of »Food«, we are seeking applications from artists, designers, or chefs interested in exploring food as a medium for creative expression and discussion. We welcome project proposals that push the boundaries of traditional cuisine, using ingredients, techniques, and concepts that engage with the topic of sustainability. The project could also transcend mere culinary creation, for example through a food-based research project, sensory experiences, or experimental gastronomy. The proposed work should engage with audiences in thought-provoking ways, prompting reflection on the cultural, social, and ecological dimensions of food.
The scholarship holders will be provided with:
→ A scholarship amounting to €1000 per month to cover living expenses (= €3000 in total for the three-month residency)
→ Free accommodation for the duration of the residency programme (one private room per resident in a furnished apartment shared between the two residents)
→ €1500 materials budget
→ Payment of travel costs from Mexico to Essen and back (economy class)
→ A studio in the Folkwang University building at the Zollverein Coal Mine Industrial Complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
→ Access to the university’s well-equipped facilities, including:
- Wood, metal, ceramics, and plastics workshops
(including CNC milling, laser cutting, ceramic 3D printing, etc.)
- Bio Lab / Experimental kitchen (cooking and food processing equipment, dehydrator, laminar flow workbench, autoclave, micro- scope with 4K camera, incubator, fermentation equipment, etc.)
- Textile workshop (Kniterate digital knitting machine, hand-knitting machines, CNC embroidery machine, various sewing machines, etc.) - Digital design workshops (additive manufacturing, XR technologies, physical computing, electronics, etc.)
- Photo studios and facilities for producing high quality fine art prints
→ An exhibition of the work developed during the residency at the Dutch Design Week 2026 in Eindhoven NL – a suitable format (e.g. artist talk, workshop) will be determined during the residency.
→ Access to our network of collaborating institutions, including the sustainability research institutes Wuppertal Institute and Fraunhofer UMSICHT and contact with the SBYD team consisting of 15 team members from various design disciplines
→ Access to our network of collaborating museums and craftspeople in the region who are specialised in different materials and craft techniques.
Details of the programme and the application procedure can be found in this PDF!
If you have any questions, please contact the SBYD team at sbyd@folkwang-uni.de!