Since 1979 the Künstlerstätte Schloss Bleckede has been seeking to promote young artists who explore innovative positions in the field of contemporary art. Today artists, whose work addresses complex aesthetic, cultural or political issues, rarely find the necessary support to realize their ambitious projects. This is why the Künstlerstätte Schloss Bleckede wishes to offer these artists the opportunity to develop their work in the course of a residential scholarship of three or six months.

The Künstlerstätte Schloss Bleckede offers ideal working conditions. The historic remise of the castle of Bleckede has been restored and transformed into three studios, each of which provides an extensive work space and a comfortable living area. The castle is located in the nature reserve Elbufer Drawehn close to the river Elbe. The placid environment guarantees an atmosphere of undisturbed concentration. The scholarship includes a monthly grant of Euro 1.400,- , which is made available for up to three scholarship holders at any one time, by the state of Lower Saxony.

The city of Lüneburg is not far away. Here the innovative programme of exhibitions and events staged by the Kunstraum of the University of Lüneburg and the Halle für Kunst Lüneburg e.V. allows the participation in the contemporary art world. If required, the facilities of the cultural studies-course at the University of Lüneburg might be used.

Moreover Hamburg and Berlin is within easy reach, both of which have a thriving cultural life. The residential scholarship of the Künstlerstätte Schloss Bleckede is associated with the international exchange program Pépinières Européenes pour Jeunes Artistes. Previous scholarship winners have included reknown artists like Hans-Christian Dany, Gerhard Fietz, Rupprecht Matthies, Mariella Mosler, Nana Petzet, Peter Pommerer, Katharina Sieverding, Maki Tamura and Florian Zeyfang. The Künstlerstätte Schloss Bleckede is supported by the district of Lüneburg and the state of Lower Saxony. The residential scholarship will be awarded on recommendation of a jury of art professionals.

Since 2001 Bleckede has been publishing small booklets about the artists in residence and their works. You are able to receive these so called "artist folders" at Halle für Kunst Lüneburg e.V. (info@halle-fuer-kunst.de, http://www.halle-fuer-kunst.de ).