What can I apply for ?
The Schwindelfrei Festival firmly believes that work processes, research and spaces for experimentation play an important role in the independent performing arts. Therefore, we would like to make this part of artistic work visible. To this end, we are offering up to three residencies (for a max. of 7 days) for artistic development on the theme of “Staying[LN41] here – Spaces and Practices for a new Coexistence.”
For us, residencies are focused artistic work phases which we enable within the framework of the festival by providing space and budgets. All residencies will work towards a presentation which will be shown to the public as part of the 2026 Festival. The festival will close with a conference on July 12, 2026, in which all residencies will present a short contribution. The form of this contribution will be determined in consultation with the curators during the residency.
Who can apply?
+ artists / groups from all disciplines in the performing arts who live or work primarily in Mannheim or the Rhine-Neckar metropolitan region.
+ groups, initiatives or organizations that do not work in the arts, but would like to collaborate with artists, have already established initial contacts and want to apply together with the artists
What we are offering
+ 7-day working residency for a an initial collaboration between artists and groups, initiatives or organizations that do not work in the arts, or for artistic research
+ the provision of a rehearsal space in Mannheim – please note that the residency rehearsal spaces are not technically fully-equipped stages
+ work phase: July 2 – July 8, 2026
+ guidance and support during the work phase by the curator and a technical expert + the residency will conclude with a presentation of your work in the form of a show / lecture performance / open rehearsal / installation of at least 20 minutes. We are not looking for a fully completed piece. + renumeration for a max. of 4 persons for 7 days per residency – the renumeration per person has been set at €750.
What we are expecting
+ mandatory availability of all artists during the work phase and throughout the festival from July 2-July 12, 2024
+ transparent work practices that afford the festival team the possibility to visit rehearsals
+ openness towards artistic exchange with the festival team and other artists participating in the festival
+ July 9-12, 2026: a public final presentation and a dialog with the audience for a total of at least 20 minutes
+ that the final presentation will take place in the rehearsal space where you have been working. We are looking for insights into your work methods and perspectives, excerpts from scenes and an active dialog with the audience
+ In addition, you will make a short conference contribution about the results of your residency at the closing conference. The form of this contribution will be determined in consultation with the curators during the residency.
How do I apply?
+ Briefly introduce yourself (max. 10 lines of text /max. 2 min of audio/video)
+ Present your project for the residency – What do you want to research or develop? How does your project relate to the festival’s theme? How do you want to work? What do you want to achieve through your process? (max. 1 page)
+ Who will participate? List all participants in the residency project (name, function, where they live and what their work focuses on)
+ Send us links to websites/ other materials if applicable (max. 3 pages)
+ Let us know who your contact person is and send us their contact information
+ Let us know about your requirements for accessibility or barrier-free spaces
Applications can be submitted as a text, audio or video file. A hybrid form is also possible. Text submissions should be combined into a single PDF document. If you are submitting a large audio or video file, please send us a link to access your files.
Your application should include:
Unfortunately, incomplete submissions cannot be considered.
Please send your application to:
kulturamt.schwindelfrei(at)mannheim.de
Deadline: 14.12.2025
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