Residency

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Overview, Application and Acceptance to the Programme

Q: I am interested in your residency program and would like to come by in person to get to know you.
A: The best opportunity to come by and get to know the place would be our open studio event OPENHAUS, which takes place every two months and is announced on our website and social media. You will be able to look inside the studios of participating residents, as well as meet a few members of our team.

Q: For the application, do you encourage proposals only from projects with a process-based approach?
A: In any case it would be important to understand how you want to connect your project to the context of ZK/U, the neighborhood in Moabit or the city of Berlin. Additionally, the quality and content of your artistic/ activist/ research practice will be an important criteria for the selection process.

Q: I am hoping to apply to the upcoming residency deadline. In case my application is selected, when would I be able to do my residency?
A: After you submit your application and if selected to take part in the residency program, you will have two years to self-organize your funding and complete your residency. Once you secure the finances for your residency, we can proceed with the exact dates of your residency. The earliest date to start your residency is 10 weeks after the deadline of our open call, if our studio schedule allows. 

Q: What does it mean to get accepted to the program?
A: Your acceptance means that your application has been found successful among other submissions, however you will still have to secure your finances to take part in the program. Once you have been selected, you have the opportunity to take part in ZK/U’s program in the following two years. In case it is necessary, we are happy to provide you with an official invitation letter to support funding applications, as well as a visa letter to support visa applications.

Q: When will you announce the results?
A: All applicants will be informed within 8 weeks after the application deadline. In case we receive a large amount of applications, we might take longer to get back to you. Please be patient, as we will take the time to inform every applicant whether they were selected or not.

Q: I’ve been a resident before — can I reapply?
A: As a former resident, you are welcome to return for another residency. You do not need to apply again! Contact us to find a suitable time for your next residency, if our studio schedule allows.

Q: Is it possible to be interested in two narratives in the open call and work on them during the residency?
A: You can be interested in as many narratives of the call you like. What is important for us is to understand how your project fits into the narratives addressed in the call. Please note that it is also possible to submit a project proposal that does not relate to any of the mentioned narratives.

Q: I already live in Berlin and therefore do not need accommodation. Can I still participate in the residency program?
A: The communal living and working along with other artists and researchers is an elemental part of the residency program. Therefore, we encourage Berlin-based artists to arrange living at ZK/U for their residency.

Selection Process

Q: How does the review process work?
A: All applications go through our selection process which consists of jury reviews by the ZK/U advisory board and selected members of the ZK/U team. 

Grants, Funding

Q: Can ZK/U support me in my search for funding?
A: Once you are selected, we will provide you with a list of places where you can apply to start your funding search process, as well as an official invitation letter. However, the rest of the process and managing to secure funds will be your responsibility.

Residency Program Basics

Q: How many artists are in residence at once?
A: There are usually 12 artists staying at the same time in ZK/U, or more if collaborators, partners and/or family members join the residency.

Q: I originally applied for 3-4 months, but I am now considering to extend my stay. What is the longest time I could stay?
A: The longest residency period we offer is 6 months. 

Q: We are an artist duo, how much is the studio rent for two people?
A: The rental prices of the studios vary according to size and are valid for one person. It is also possible to live as a duo or with a partner in a studio, extra beds can be provided. For each additional person, 80€ per month will be charged.

Q: I will be traveling with my partner and 2 children under 12 years old.
A: It is possible to live as a family in a studio. For each extra person, 80€ per month will be charged. Children are free of charge. In this case, we would recommend you to stay in one of the studios on the ground floor, as they are larger and have their own bathroom. Please see the studio map that indicates the sizes of each room and note that your family will be sharing the kitchen with the other residents. The park surrounding ZK/U has a playground so it is worth considering coming in the warmer months of the year.

Q: Can I have guests in my studio?
A: It is allowed to receive guests with a charge of 5€/day. An additional bed with bed linen and towels can be provided. To make everyone feel at home in the residency, we would like to ask you to give a notice to the other residents about your guests, just a couple of days prior to their arrival.

Q: Can I reserve a studio for a certain period in advance?
A: Please note that we only proceed with the booking once you can assure us that you have secured the funding/resources towards the residency costs of your stay and are able to pay the deposit of 500€ to secure your booking.

Q: I have decided on a studio. What are the next steps to follow in order to secure my place?
A: Please reach out to us to book a studio.  We are happy to confirm the booking of your residency once you have reviewed the contract, returned it to us, signed, and once we have received your deposit.

Q: What do I need to organize before coming to ZK/U?
A: Before coming to ZK/U, please make sure to organize your funding, visa and health insurance.

Costs, Obligations

Q: What is included in the usage fee? Which extra expenses will I have?
A: With your usage fee you have access to your studio, a bathroom (or a shared bathroom with another resident, depending on your studio type), towels and bedding. Utility costs are included (i.e. heating, water, electricity, internet connection, etc.); and the use of common spaces (kitchen, library, terrace). Production costs, food and transportation are not included as well as the general costs for kitchen (i.e. dishwashing soap etc. as they are used communally). You will have to cover your own costs for the health insurance. Weekly Monday Dinners are cooked by the residency community and reimbursed by us. In addition, we organize monthly studio visits (if desired) and bi-monthly open studio events.

Lodging

Q: Can I request a specific studio or room in the house?
A: We try to match everyone’s desires in terms of studio and dates, in accordance with what we have available.

Q: What kind of storage space is available for my things?
A: The studios are of a reasonable size and your specific requirements will be discussed in advance during the pre-residency period. Each studio is equipped with a set of lockers as storage.

Q: How do I get around the city?
A: By Bike: You can rent one of our used bikes to explore the city. It costs 10 € each month.
By Public Transportation: Berlin is easy to travel by public transportation. U-Bahn and S-Bahn stations are a 10-minute walk away. See the BVG website or download the BVG app for more information and a network plan: www.bvg.de/en/

Support, Food, Amenities

Q: Are meals provided?
A: No. However, residents share a communal kitchen and we recommend cooking together, knowing that the best bonds are formed in the kitchen!

Q: How does ZK/U support me in my artistic practice?
A: We organize our open studio format OPENHAUS every two months, where you get the chance to present your work in progress to a broader audience and to engage in conversations. Additionally, we arrange one studio visit per month by curators, artists and relevant experts to support your artistic development and visibility.

Social Aspect, Surrounding Area

Q: How is life at ZK/U? How much will I be involved?
A: You share a communal kitchen and a beautiful terrace with up to 11 other artists and researchers working in the field of arts and urbanism from various backgrounds. Life at ZK/U is community-oriented and we strongly encourage residents to get involved with the place and its people. You have the chance to share inspiration and discuss your projects with fellow residents.. Every Monday we share a collective dinner with presentations and self-cooked food. Living in a community also means that everyone is responsible for taking care of the space. Everyone is contributing with regular shifts of household chores.

Q: How is the environment of ZK/U?
A: ZK/U is surrounded by a vibrant public park which plays a central role in the neighborhood of Moabit. Because of this status of a semi-public place, the residency area is off-limits to the public, but it does happen that externals cross over to the residency space. ZK/U further hosts public and private events in the building. Surrounded on all sides by water and with the advent of industrialization at the beginning of the twentieth century, Moabit became an important manufacturing area. Goods were transported to and from Berlin via this railway depot and Berlin‘s largest inland port, Westhafen. Going to Berlin-Mitte from ZK/U takes 25 mins by public transportation and 20 mins by bike. In the same way, going to Berlin-Kreuzberg takes 35 min by bike and 30 min by public transportation.

Q: Are there any social or public events planned?
A: Artists are encouraged to participate in our open studio format OPENHAUS which takes place every two months. Weekly presentations of residents are accompanied by communal cooking every Monday. You are informed by a weekly newsletters about events taking place in the city. Residents are encouraged to attend ZK/U’s public program which will be re-introduced after renovation and expansion of ZK/U public spaces are finalized.