Uckermark: Sternhagen Gut

The Musicboard grants two three-week residencies at Sternhagen Gut in the Uckermark District of Brandenburg to Berlin-based solo musicians, duos, groups or bands from the electronic or electro-acoustic fields. Sternhagen Gut is an ideal retreat for musicians who want to work, write and compose their music in a focused and calm environment. On site, there is the possibility to further develop material in a simple, in-house recording studio.

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
• musicians from electronic or electro-acoustic fields that work professionally and stand out through their creative achievements
• musicians with a high level of independence and personal initiative
• musicians with a valid vaccination against SARS-CoV-2

Musicboard grants two residencies at Sternhagen Gut, each lasting three weeks in autumn 2022. The periods are set, the residencies cannot be shortened or postponed. Both residencies take place at the same time. Residency I is suitable for solo artists, duos, groups or bands (maximum 4 persons). Please note: The large apartment has two double bedrooms, which would have to be shared if fully taken. Residency II is suitable for solo artists.

Residency I – Large Apartment: 1-4 persons / 26.9. – 16.10.2022
Residency II – Tower Apartment: 1 person / 26.9. – 16.10.2022

Sternhagen Gut is located about 100 km northeast of Berlin in the picturesque region of Uckermark. It is a former manor and farm house, which has been owned by the Berlin musicians Gudrun Gut and Thomas Fehlmann for 12 years. It has repeatedly been serving as a place of work and inspiration for musicians. The large garden and the adjoining overgrown park offer a quiet residency location during the apple harvest season in autumn.

The resident artists live and work in either the Turmwohnung or the Large Apartment of the manor house. The living rooms feature a tech table which can be equipped with a small mixing desk and NS-10 monitors (Yamaha NS-10 boxes) and offer space to set up the residents’ own instruments. By arrangement, there is also the possibility to continue or mix the newly developed works with other instruments in the simple, in-house recording studio. There might be other guests in the house during the residency period. During the residencies, Gudrun Gut is present as contact person and supports the artists with the development of their artistic projects during their stay as part of an individual mentoring.

There are two bicycles available to explore the vast area, the nearby lakes, the nature reserve and the forests, or to shop in the neighbouring village. The residents have to take care of the catering themselves, the apartments both have a fully equipped kitchen. A car is recommended but not essential.

The Musicboard covers:

• the costs for accommodation, arrival and departure, three days of studio use as well as ten hours of mentoring
• a weekly stipend in the amount of 250 euros 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
• 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?

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 artistic resume can be submitted in English or German.

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

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 document can be submitted in English or German.

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

The available accommodation at Sternhagen Gut is located in the upper floor of a building without elevator. It is 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.