stadt.raum.experimente: Open Call for Contemporary Art in Public Space

About the Open Call

The 'stadt.raum.experimente' is an open-format initiative by the Art Commission of the City of Düsseldorf, launched in 2022 to promote contemporary art in public spaces. It invites local and internationally active artists to develop experimental and temporary concepts for Düsseldorf's urban environment. The program is open to unusual forms such as installations, performance, sound art, digital formats, collaborative, and participatory projects. Funded projects should reflect urban conditions and change processes, contribute to future developments (e.g., sustainable aspects), and can address socially relevant topics. Projects must have a clear conceptual connection to Düsseldorf and its urban space and be temporary in nature, publicly presented within Düsseldorf. The overall duration, including research, production, implementation, presentation, and completion, should be planned within a timeframe of up to one year. All project proposals submitted by October 15 will be considered for implementation in the following year, with realization possible from summer of the following year onward. Projects can take place anywhere in Düsseldorf's public space, provided legal requirements are met, and the Art Commission offers support for necessary coordination with municipal departments. The selection process involves a multi-stage jury review, focusing on artistic quality, discourse, public engagement, networks, and finances. Incomplete applications or those without a Düsseldorf location will not be considered.

What is Offered

Each individual project can receive funding of up to €60,000, with a total of up to €120,000 available annually for all funded projects. Additional third-party funding or co-financing is allowed but not required. If selected, the approved budget will correspond to the proposed total project cost, and adjustments after selection are not possible. The exact funding conditions will be contractually agreed upon between the City of Düsseldorf and the artist. Successful applicants will enter into a contract with the city, and the organizer reserves the right to publish and use the artistic works free of charge in their publications with proper credit, retaining the right of first publication while copyright remains with the artist.

Requirements

Professional artists are eligible to apply, including individual artists and collectives primarily working in the visual arts. Both established artists and those at the beginning of their careers are welcome. Applicants must have completed a degree in fine arts or possess an equivalent exhibition record. The program is open to artists wishing to develop innovative concepts for public space in Düsseldorf, with no limitations on artistic disciplines. Prior experience with art in public space is not required. Projects must be temporary, intended for public presentation within Düsseldorf, and demonstrate a clear conceptual connection to the city. Incomplete applications or those without a specific location in Düsseldorf will not be considered. Interdisciplinary teams are welcome, provided at least one artistic position is represented.

How to Apply

Applications for the stadt.raum.experimente format are possible at any time. The deadline for project proposals to be considered for implementation in the following year is October 15 of the previous year (e.g., October 15, 2026, for projects in 2027). Submissions are exclusively via the online portal: https://www.kunstkommission-duesseldorf.de/anmeldung-stadt-raum-experimente/. The online application form provides input fields for all required documents and information, with character limits for text fields. Progress can be saved, and documents can be uploaded until the submission deadline. Postal or email applications will not be considered. Applicants are strongly recommended to focus on one project proposal.