Dresden: HELLERAU

Musicboard Berlin in cooperation with HELLERAU – European Centre for the Arts grants two three-week residencies to Berlin-based interdisciplinary pop music soloists, duos, groups and bands in 2022. The residencies in HELLERAU, Dresden offer an international, active-collaborative and interdisciplinary atmosphere. Beyond the work on own projects, HELLERAU’s internationally oriented residency programme offers its resident artists the opportunity to get in touch with the local scene as well as other resident artists working in the fields of contemporary dance, theatre, performance, music and media art. The residencies in HELLERAU are intended for artists of all pop music genres. With the term »pop music« Musicboard refers to all genres of popular music as well as cross-genre or experimental pop music that cannot be clearly assigned to the categories of jazz or classical and new music.

Information on how to apply for the second funding round until the 1 June 2023 is expected to be announced in mid-April 2023.

Eligible to apply are:

• musicians living and working in Berlin
• pop musicians that work professionally and stand out through their creative achievements
• musicians with a high level of independence and personal initiative
• musicians who are particularly open to interdisciplinary exchange
• musicians with a valid vaccination against SARS-CoV-2

Musicboard grants two residencies at HELLERAU, each lasting three weeks in autumn/winter 2022. The periods are set, the residencies cannot be shortened or postponed. It is possible to apply for both periods. Residency I is suitable for solo artists, duos, groups or bands (maximum 3 persons). Residency II is suitable for a solo artist. Presence of the residents in Dresden during the residency period is required.

Please indicate your availability or preferred residency period in the text field for the ›Project proposal‹.

Residency I: 1-3 persons / 24.10. – 13.11.2022
Residency II: 1 person / 14.11. – 04.12.2022

HELLERAU – European Centre for the Arts is an interdisciplinary co-production and guest performance house in Dresden. HELLERAU promotes debates on art and society with thematic focuses, festivals and audience formats. The objective of HELLERAU’s residency programme is to offer opportunities for artistic research in order to deepen and expand one’s own working methods as well as to develop new projects.

In HELLERAU the resident artists are accommodated in single apartments with shared kitchens and have various work studios and a large garden at their disposal for rehearsals, experiments and training. Residents can receive technical support as needed. There is no permanent recording studio in the house and limited technical equipment is available. However, HELLERAU offers various rooms which can be equipped and used accordingly in consultation with the resident artists. During the residencies, the artists are supported by mentors in the development of their own projects and artistic careers and through access to relevant networks. In addition, the residents can expect a diverse programme on HELLERAU’s stage.

The Musicboard covers:

• the round-trip travel costs as well as costs for accommodation, rehearsal and project space, mentoring, technical support, provision of technical equipment and the entrance to HELLERAU performances
• weekly stipend in the amount of 250 EUR per person
• a singular contribution to project-related costs in the amount of 500 euros per residency

The following information and documents must be supplied, in German or in English, using exclusively the application tool that can be accessed via the button at the end of this page:

• Completed Application Form
• Statement of Purpose
  using no more than two A4 pages, including the presentation and basis of the planned artistic initiative in the context of the residency
• Specification of the preferred residency period
  in the text field for the ›Project proposal‹
• Artistic resume
  including a list of artistic milestones such as shows, productions, releases, collaborations, awards and grants
• Three music samples
  to be uploaded as mp3s
• Scans of certificate of registration or personal ID (front and back)
  indicating Berlin as place of residence. For bands, the registration certificate of the applicant band member is sufficient.
• for non-EU citizens: Passport scan
  including residence permit, duration of stay, and type of work permit. For bands, the document of the applicant band member is sufficient.

In each round of funding, applicants may apply for more than one residency. In this case, separate applications must be submitted. It is important that a statement of purpose is submitted for each residency site.

Only fully completed documents can be considered. All applications will be handled confidentially and used exclusively for decision-making and funding purposes. Publication of certain relevant details is granted by the applicant as part of the application process.

The residencies are awarded through Musicboard Berlin GmbH upon recommendation of an independent jury of Berlin-based pop experts and in consultation with the Senate Department for Culture and Europe. Jury members are usually appointed for a period of three years. The following jury is appointed to the Scholarships & Residencies programme in 2022:

• Aida Baghernejad
  cultural journalist
• Ji-Hun Kim
  Editor-in-chief Das Filter, freelance lecturer, DJ and music producer
• Katja Lucker
  Managing Director of Musicboard Berlin GmbH
• Thien Nguyen
  label owner, DJ, music and film producer
• Pamela Owusu-Brenyah
  A&R, music consultant and curator Pop-Kultur Festival
• Misla Tesfamariam
  artist manager, label owner

A short description of the jury members is available here.

We’ve collected here some frequently asked questions about Musicboard’s residencies. This information is intended for general advice, is not legally binding, and does not take the place of an examination of individual circumstances. We will gladly answer further, detailed questions on the funding programme by phone or by email. Please read the FAQs and other explanatory notes on this website carefully before contacting us. We also recommend the free services of the Kulturförderberatung by Kreativ Kultur Berlin, which supports artists in all disciplines in their search for possible funding, can offer tips for preparing applications and can provide review of applications.

What is meant by »living and working in Berlin«?

In the residency programme, Musicboard funds exclusively musicians and bands who live and work in Berlin. In the case of bands, that means that the majority of band members live in Berlin and make their livelihood here. Residency and livelihood for solo acts must be established with residence permits or personal ID (front and back), and for bands with the residence permit or personal ID (front and back) of the applicant band member. In both cases, the nationality of the musician is irrelevant to the funding decision. For non-EU citizens filing an application, it is necessary in addition to the Berlin residence certificate to provide a passport that includes residence permit, duration of stay, and type of work permit. Please note that Berlin residence must be officially verified. Rent contracts etc. are not sufficient for proof of residence. We kindly ask you to refrain from submitting such documents containing sensitive personal data.

I’ve just submitted another application to Musicboard. Can I still apply for the residency?

In general, it is possible for musicians to be funded repeatedly and in successive periods. In each round of funding, applicants may apply for more than one residency. In this case, separate applications must be submitted. It is important that a statement of purpose is submitted for each residency site. Applications without a statement of purpose cannot be considered. It is also possible to simultaneously apply for a scholarship and one or multiple residencies. In this case, several applications must be supplied as well. In general, due to the large number of applications in a given funding round, the jury will recommend only one grant per artist.

How must my statement of purpose be designed?

In their statement of purpose, applicants should, in no more than two pages, state why they are applying for a residency and what artistic project they would like to put forward in the context of the residency. From the statement of purpose it should be evident that the applicant is familiar with the artistic and cultural context and the profile of the residency site. When applying for more than one residency, it is important that a statement of purpose is submitted for each residency site. Applications without a statement of purpose cannot be considered. The document can be submitted in English or German.

How must my artistic resume be designed?

The artistic resume is meant to describe the applicants’ artistic career. In the application form, we also ask for milestones in the artistic career in the form of a brief list of artistic milestones such as shows, productions, releases, collaborations, residencies, awards and grants. The artistic resume can be submitted in English or German.

What songs can I submit as music samples? Are demos acceptable?

The music samples should be three songs that represent you and your art. They need not be the newest songs, or the ones that you want to work on during your project. Demos can be submitted. Depending on their quality, it may be wise to provide in addition one or two fully produced works.

I have questions about the accessibility of the residence – whom can I contact with questions?

The available accommodation as well as rehearsal and project space at HELLERAU are located in a building without elevator. They are therefore not accessible for wheelchair users. Yet, in order to make our residency programme as accessible to all and as inclusive as possible, we are always available for any questions, requests and suggestions. For special needs or further questions about the accessibility of the residency, please contact Maureen Noe for personal assistance: maureen.noe@musicboard.berlin.de.

When exactly is the application deadline?

The application deadline for the residency is June 1, 2022 at 6 p.m. Until then, applications can be received online and will be posted as received before the deadline. The application is successfully received as soon as it appears in your user profile in the »Submitted Applications« section. We recommend allowing plenty of time for the application and its attachments to upload, and not waiting until the last minute to apply. The upload speed of our servers can decline with increased traffic to the site. If technical problems arise, please make a screenshot, save the application draft and advise us by email at: maureen.noe@musicboard.berlin.de

What are the selection criteria of the jury, and when will I be informed of their decision?

The jury bases its decision above all on the artistic quality of the work, chances of success and the persuasiveness of the application as presented. The project idea should be meaningful for the development and career of the applicant. This can be determined by the applicant’s statement of purpose. A particular focus of the jury is the music samples provided. Funding decisions are made with a view toward building the diversity of Berlin’s music scene. Musicboard and the appointed jury place great value on inclusion and gender balance. The jury’s decision follows the application deadline by 4 to 6 weeks, and applicants are informed by email. Acceptances and declines are sent at the same time. Usually, more applications are received than can be funded, and Musicboard is not obliged to explain its decision. There is no legal entitlement to funding.