Earth Month 2026
Cultures of Action

The artist residency, running from 22 April – 12 May 2026, will offer two individual artists from Germany and France the opportunity to explore Scotland’s diverse landscapes, sustainability challenges, and emerging climate solutions.

The residency will provide a slow‑travel experience, with the artists journeying by train and/or boat from their home countries to Edinburgh, Glasgow, and two week‑long stays in the Scottish Highlands & Islands, in Cove Park and Linkshouse – Orkney Arts Residency, respectively.

The artists are invited to engage with the key themes of rewilding and the oceans. There are no fixed or required production outcomes, and artists may shape their engagement according to their own practice.
During their journey, artists are invited to take part in optional school visits coordinated by the project partners to share their experiences with pupils, as well as additional site visits and networking opportunities.

The artists are also invited to an Artist Talk, in which they can share insights gathered during their residency and present their pre‑existing work on environmental themes at the Institut Français d'Écosse’s venue in Edinburgh and/or the Goethe‑Institut's and Alliance Française’s shared venue in Glasgow.

Artist Profile:

We are seeking two individual artists working with any time‑based or durational media (e.g. sound, lens‑based media, performance) whose work reflects an engagement with climate, environmental, or ecological themes.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Residence: All nationalities are welcome, provided the applicant has been living and working in France or Germany for a minimum of 3 years.
• Artistic Discipline: Applicants must work in time‑based media or durational practices (e.g. sound, lens‑based media, performance).
• Environmental Themes: Applicants' artistic portfolios must demonstrate a pre‑existing engagement with climate change or environmental themes.
• Slow Travel Commitment: Willingness to participate in slow travel, following the itinerary outlined above.
• Availability: Ability to participate in the residency in person for its full duration.
• Co‑Travel: Willingness to travel together with the other selected artist.
• Public Speaking: Willingness to speak at an Artist Talk.
• English Language: Applicants must be proficient in English and comfortable with public speaking.
• Physical Activity: The programme includes fieldwork in remote environments that involves walking and changing transport conditions. Adjustments for access can be discussed.
• Age: Open to applicants of all ages.
• School Visits: Interest in participating in school outreach is considered a plus.

Residency Objectives: 

• Fostering cross‑cultural collaboration between the French, German, and Scottish artistic and sustainability contexts.
• Encouraging artists to deepen the conversation around climate action by approaching environmental and sustainability themes through their own artistic languages and processes.
• Creating opportunities for artists to connect with Scottish civil society, cultural organisations, educational partners, and communities in ways that may shape and expand their practices.
• Supporting artists in experimenting with slow travel as a sustainable mode of movement, treating the journey itself as part of their creative process.
• In the months and years following the residency, inspiring the participating artists to continue creating impactful works that contribute to the climate conversation, drawing on their experiences in Scotland around the themes of rewilding and oceans.

The residency will include:

1. Slow Travel To and Across Scotland
The two artists will travel sustainably by train/boat from Germany and France to Edinburgh. They will continue travelling for three weeks, immersing themselves in Scottish contexts and landscapes. The schedule will be as follows:
 
2. Artist Talks
The two artists will present their findings, reflections, and works‑in‑progress in an Artist Talk (date to be confirmed).

3. Follow‑Up Workshop
Six months after the residency, a digital workshop will be held with the participating artists and the organising partners to discuss the residency’s impact (date to be confirmed).

Residency Benefits:

• All travel and accommodation provided
• Stipend of £80 GBP per day per artist
• Speaker’s fee of £150 GBP per artist for the Artist Talk
• Opportunity to engage with local cultural and sustainability networks
• Artistic exchange with local peers and site visits
• If school visits are scheduled: £150 GBP per school visit per artist (up to 5 visits)

How to Apply:

Submit the required materials by 11 March at 23:59 GMT by sending your application in PDF format to: culture-glasgow@goethe.de

• Portfolio: 3–5 previous works exploring environmental themes
• Statement of Interest (max 500 words): Why this residency aligns with your practice, how you would approach the themes, and what you hope to contribute and gain

We strongly encourage applications from LGBTQIA+ applicants, BPOC, people living with disabilities, and people from working‑class or low‑socioeconomic backgrounds.

Selection Process:

Applications will be reviewed by a panel from the Goethe‑Institut Glasgow and external experts. Selected candidates will be notified by 18 March via email.

For inquiries: culture-glasgow@goethe.de