Bundesministerium für Unterricht, Kunst und Kultur - Art Promotion - Federal Art Studios

What the Federal Art Studios give you

You will be allocated a rent-free work studio in Vienna for up to 6 years, giving you a permanent space in which to create your art without having to pay rent. The Austrian Ministry of Culture (Art and Culture Section) covers the rent and running costs. You only pay your own electricity and gas bills. The studios are located at two sites: Westbahnstraße 27–29 (8 studios in a converted loft, mainly for younger artists) and Wattgasse 56–60 (19 studios with a floor area of 40 to 65 square metres). The Ministry also runs the historic Prater Studios for established Austrian sculptors and object artists. They work side by side with other artists, and the studios are open to curators, journalists and gallery owners, including during the ‘Open Studio Day’ at Vienna Art Week.

Who can apply

• Field: You work in the field of fine art, for example in painting, photography, media art, sculpture or object art.
• Where you work: The studios are located in Vienna and are intended for artists working in Austria.
• Nationality: You are an Austrian national or an EU citizen.
• Career stage: The studios on Westbahnstraße are aimed primarily at younger artists. The Prater studios are intended for established Austrian artists with an international profile and an extensive body of work.
• Portfolio: You will be selected on the basis of your artistic work and your actual need for studio space.

How to apply

Studios are allocated via public calls for applications, which are published on the Ministry’s website under ‘Calls for Applications: Art and Culture’. The calls for applications are published as soon as studios become available, with the application deadline often falling around 31 August. An independent panel of experts reviews the applications and decides who is awarded a studio.

How realistic are your chances?

The availability is very limited. There are only a few dozen studios, each of which is occupied for years at a time, so places rarely become available and a panel of judges assesses your portfolio directly. If your work is compelling and you really need a studio space in Vienna, it’s worth keeping an eye out for calls for applications – but expect stiff competition every time a place becomes available. Keep an eye on the Ministry’s calls for applications.