During the Middle Ages the Jewish communities in Speyer, Worms and Mainz formed a centre of Jewish life which was unique in the whole of Ashkenaz – the name by which Middle and Western Europe was known in Rabbinic literature.

These towns formed a unique association that deeply influenced the architecture, culture, religion, and jurisdiction of the central and eastern European Jewish diaspora. An impact that is still evident today.

Monuments, synagogues, women’s shuln, teaching houses, ritual baths and the old Jewish cemeteries in Worms and Mainz, together with the religious tradition, bear testimony to the immense importance and innovative power of the ShUM communities.
Unique tangible heritage from this period is preserved in the three cities. The acronym “ShUM” represents the initial letters of the Hebrew names of the three cities: Schpira, Warmaisa, Magenza

In July 2021, the ShUM cities were recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the first Jewish World Heritage recognition in Germany.

CALL FOR APPLICATIONS

We are offering up to three project fellowships for the realization of an artistic project that addresses the history of the ShUM communities and their religious, cultural, and architectural legacy.

A public presentation of the completed projects (exhibition, concert, reading, performance, etc.) is intended.

Required is an artistic approach to the ShUM legacy, taking into consideration Judaism’s ideas, history, and current position.

During their stay, the artistic ShUM fellows are expected to allow interested visitors an insight into their work and concepts in a suitable form, e.g., in workshops or public discussions. Young people and schools will also be invited, and an exchange of ideas with local artists and cultural institutions is desirable.

Events linked to the fellowship are organized in collaboration with the curator of the residency programme and the administration of the cities.

For communication fluent English is required. If possible, the German language will also be used.

ARTISTIC AREAS

The call for applications is open to professional artists from around the world working in the following areas:

VISUAL ARTS AND MEDIA

Painting, sculpture, drawing, installation, film, video, print, ceramic, textile, performance, photography

ARCHITECTURE, DESIGN

Architecture, urban and spatial planning, applied art, design, calligraphy, book and printing art, gold- and silversmithing

MUSIC

New compositions, performances

LITERATURE

Novels, poetry, short stories, essays, plays, film scripts

TIME, PLACE, BENEFITS

The residency will last for 4 to 6 weeks and is scheduled between mid August and the end of September 2024.

Fellows will work and live in one of the three ShUM cities (Worms, Speyer, or Mainz). Permanent presence during the fellowship is essential.

Fellows are offered a rent-free, furnished apartment, a studio/work room, travel expenses up to € 1,000 (tourist class flights and 2nd class train travel, car expenses based on the state travel expenses law (Landesreisekostengesetz), an allowance of € 250 per residency week and a contribution to other expenses (materials or services) of up to € 1,000.
Further costs (license rights, purchases of artworks etc.) must be arranged separately.

In addition, the curator and the three cities’ respective cultural departments will offer help and advice in realizing the project/s by arranging contact to local artists and cultural institutions, and to government offices, companies, and organizations.

APPLICATION DOCUMENTS

The following documents must be sent in for the application:

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

• a short description of the intended artistic project (max. 2,000 characters)
• a detailed explanation of the project (max. 15,000 characters)
• information as to whether or not a local cooperation partner is required, and if so, which
• information about necessary production costs

Download application documents:

REFERENCES

• an artistic-oriented CV
• information about previously completed projects
• information about institutions with which a collaboration exists/existed
• documentation
  (catalogs and other publications, CDs, press clippings, websites, …)

APPLICATION DEADLINE

Deadline for applications is September 30th, 2023.

Applications must be submitted in full by email to David Maier PhD, Cultural Coordinator of the City of Worms:
Marktplatz 2, 67547 Worms
david.maier@worms.de

A committee of five experts, from various artistic disciplines, will decide who will be invited as Artist in Residence for 2024.
The committee’s decision is final and incontestable. Applicants will be informed about the results by November 2023.

Further information:
www.schumstaedte.de/en