Artist’s Residence Dilsberg
Writer in Residence Program
The next call for applications for the biennial residency program from 13th of April to 13th of July 2026 has been launched.
Writer in residence is expected, applications until 17th of September 2025 possible
After having had Pippa Goldschmid (Edinburgh UNESCO City of Literature) in 2018, Judith Rossell (Melbourne UNESCO City of Literature) in 2020/2022 and Anton Kurnia Jakarta UNESCO City of Literature 2024 we are looking forward for our 4th writer in residence.
About the programm
Work Grant awarded by the "Kulturstiftung Rhein-Neckar-Kreis e.V." in cooperation with Heidelberg UNESCO City of Literature for authors from UNESCO Cities of Literature
in the “Commandant’s House Dilsberg”, at Dilsberg Fortress, in Neckargemünd (approximately 14 km from Heidelberg).
The building served as the Commandant’s quarters of the Dilsberg garrison in the 17th century. The former Commandant’s House was acquired 1996 and renovated by the Rhein-Neckar-District. Since then the "Commandant’s House Dilsberg" has been a center for the promotion of art and culture: exhibitions, chamber music concerts, open-air concerts, readings, symposia and discussion rounds enrich the cultural life of the region. Here, art, music, and literature grant holders find a creative work sphere.
The duration of the biennial scholarship is 3 months with residence obligation in the Commandant’s House Dilsberg.
- Candidates have the possibility to apply as team of two artists (grant holder and co-fellow) as 2 sleeping rooms are available (individual application is necessary).
- The co-recipient should also have his/her own artistic expertise, which has not necessarily to be in the literary field (could be translation for instance, but also such as music, visual arts, performing arts, film, etc.).
- Both artistic personalities have to demonstrate an artistic or interdisciplinary cooperation and should be personally well acquainted to each other. While the grant holder has to, it is not essential that the co-grantee is coming from a UNESCO City of Literature.
- The co-grantee will be provided with the same financial resources as the grant holder.
- The artists in residence share a kitchenette and a bathroom in the fully furnished apartment.
- The apartment is unfortunately not accessible for disabled persons.
Benefits
Total value max. € 3,750 per person:
- Subsistence allowance of € 1,350 per person (€ 15 per day)
- Monthly allowance/pocket money of € 750 per person
Additional benefits
- Travel allowance (international flights, economy class) of up to € 1,000
- Public transportation ticket for the Rhine-Neckar public transport network (VRN) limited to the duration of the stay
Application requirements
- Registered residence in a UNESCO City of literature (main grant holder)
- Publication of at least one book (prose, essay, narration, poetry, etc.) by an official/independent publisher (main grant holder)
- Good to very good knowledge of German and/or English language.
- Willingness to participate in local literary life (Dilsberg or Heidelberg) e.g. talks with protagonist of the regional literary scene arranged by the grant donors.
How to apply
Please fill out completely the application form(s).
Optionally you can add:
- Excerpt from one of your books (1500 – 3000 words) in German or English
- Letter of recommendation
Please send in your application by e-mail until 17 September 2025 to
unesco.creative.city@heidelberg.de
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us by e-mail or also by phone:
+49 6221 5833061 or
+49 6221 5833064
The artist(s) are selected by the Heidelberg UNESCO City of Literature office and the Board of Trustees of the Rhein-Neckar-Kreis Cultural Foundation.
Downloadable forms
