An opportunity for a New Zealand visual artist with a strong national reputation to undertake a 12-month residency at the International Studio Programme at the Künstlerhaus Bethanien, Berlin.
On this page:
- Overview
- Key dates
- Who can apply
- Before you apply
- What is offered
- How to apply
- How your application is assessed
- Decision making
- Who to talk to
Overview
The Residency supports an established New Zealand visual artist to live and work in Berlin for up to 12 months from January 15 - December 15, 2027.
The residency is to enable a New Zealand visual artist to:
- develop their artistic practise
- develop their potential through exposure to new cultures and new ideas
- act as an ambassador and increase awareness of New Zealand visual arts in Berlin
Amount
$45,000 plus accommodation and studio
Artforms
Key dates
Berlin Visual Arts Residency 2027
Applications open: Monday, 2 February 2026
Applications close: 1:00 PM (NZ time) on Thursday, 26 February 2026
Results due: Wednesday, 8 April 2026
Residency period: 15 January 2027 - 15 December 2027
Who can apply
To apply, you must:
- be a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident
- have a strong national reputation as a visual artist, which means you have:
- received critical recognition for your work, or
- completed a body of work acknowledged for its artistic excellence
You must be available to base yourself in Berlin between 15 January and 15 December 2027.
Who cannot apply
Previous recipients of the Residency are not eligible to apply.
The previous recipients are Peter Robinson, Michael Stevenson, Ronnie van Hout, Mladen Bizumic, Sara Hughes, Alicia Frankovich, Ben Cauchi, Greg Semu, Oscar Enberg, Biljana Popovic, Ella Sutherland and most recently Areez Katki.
Before you apply
Get application advice
Talk to a Visual Arts Practice Adviser about applying to this opportunity
You can talk to them about this opportunity, your application, and your art.
Get accessibility support
Talk to a Visual Arts Practise Adviser about your access needs
If our systems are not accessible to you, we will help you find an accessible way to apply.
Read more about how we can support your access needs when applying for funding
What is offered
The Residency supports an established visual artist to work on the development of their creative practise during the residency.
Creative New Zealand provides:
- a one-bed apartment in the Friedrichshain district in former East Berlin
- the studio and administration fee for the International Studio Programme at the Künstlerhaus Bethanien (which includes a contribution towards the costs of an exhibition, its promotion, and publication)
- a stipend of NZD $45,000 to be used for:
- living costs whilst on the residency
- new work costs
- travel to Berlin
- travel insurance
Recipients must have health insurance. The cost of this and any additional expenses must be met by the recipient.
The International Studio Programme provides:
- a studio
- advice on your projects
- curatorial support
- workshops and technical infrastructure
- an exhibition
- participation in an open studio event
- publishing support
- contact with international curators, critics, publicists, theorists, gallery owners and collectors
- connections to international institutions, projects, and exhibitions
- seminars, talks and readings.
The International Studio Programme at the Künstlerhaus Bethanien is one of the largest and most prestigious international residency programmes.
Read more about the International Studio Programme on the Künstlerhaus Bethanien website
How to apply
Start your application in the CNZ Portal
Application forms are available when the round opens.
You can submit one application per round.
Submissions close at 1.00 PM on the closing date (New Zealand time).
Register or sign in to the CNZ Portal
Prepare answers to the application questions
- What do you want to do during this residency, and why is being based in Berlin significant to you?
- How will this build on previous work, and why is it important that you do this now?
- How will this allow you to take risks, develop new ideas, and contribute to the growth of your arts practice?
- How do you think this will evolve your creative practice, artform, or your community?
Prepare support material
Add your artistic CV, samples of work, letters of support, timeline, or other material to support your application.
You do not need to include a budget in your application.
Read more about support material and which file formats can be attached to your application
How your application is assessed
Who assesses your application
Your application is assessed by a panel of visual arts peer assessors.
Assessment criteria
Your proposal:
- encourages you to take creative risks and develop new ideas
- supports your creative thinking, experimentation and growth in your arts practice
- supports your development by helping you achieve your artistic goals
- is timely and crucial for you to do at this stage in your career
- helps you evolve your practice, artform, or community
Decision making
The assessment panel makes a recommendation to Creative New Zealand’s Senior leadership team, who make the final funding decisions.
Who to talk to
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