City of Graz - Scholarship for studies abroad

Scholarship for studies abroad: Fine Arts and Film

You will receive 5,000 EUR to carry out an artistic project abroad, in a country of your choice. The City of Graz awards two of these grants each year: one for visual artists and one for filmmakers. You will decide, in consultation with the host organisation, how long you will stay and where you will travel, provided you stay within the budget of 5,000 EUR. The aim is for your trip to lead to further visits and follow-up projects in the future. Within one year of being awarded the grant, you must either present your results to the public or write a detailed report on your work.

Who can apply

• Your art: You work in painting, graphics, sculpture, object art, media and net art, or film.
• Track record: You have exhibited your work publicly in Graz at least once, or you have comprehensive documentation, such as a film trailer or a catalogue.
• Link to Graz (local artists): You were born in Graz, live in Graz or work primarily in this city.
• International artists: You can apply from anywhere. As before, applications must demonstrate the same high artistic standard and include either a public presentation in Graz or a complete set of documentation.
• Quality: A panel of judges will assess the artistic quality of your work.

How to apply

Applications must be submitted by email to the City of Graz’s Cultural Office, exclusively in German and in digital form. You must send a completed application form, a statement of purpose, a CV and a list of your exhibitions. The application deadline is at the end of February and will be announced on 15 January of the year in which the award is made. A panel of experts reviews the applications in collaboration with institutions in Graz that are able to host artists. The final decision is made by the city’s cultural authorities.

How realistic are your chances?

This award is highly selective: only two grants are awarded each year, which are restricted to specific art forms and, in the case of local applicants, require a clear connection to Graz. As a result, the pool of applicants remains small. Nevertheless, the standards of artistic quality are high, and applicants must either have held a public exhibition in Graz or provide comprehensive documentation. If one’s work falls within the eligible art forms and one can present convincing, well-documented work, the prospects are good.