ADKDW Residency

The ADKDW is a laboratory of experimental knowledge production and artistic research, carried out by a global network of members. In this sense, ADKDW is on the one hand an academy dedicated to the arts of the world; and at the same time, an academy of the arts that belongs to the world.

With the aim of bringing non-European perspectives into dialog with the European public, the ADKDW regularly welcomes artists-in-residence from all over the world to Cologne. The artists-in-residence present their work with their own events in the Academy's program. In the course of the residencies, exhibitions, talks, workshops and much more are created, which are regularly announced on the ADKDW's digital channels.

Still shot from Beles Stealing Beles, film by rym Jalil (2023)

Participatory Residency Program

The Participatory Residency Program is aimed at artists and activists who work interactively and takes place twice a year in collaboration with changing local partner institutions. In particular multi-marginalized individuals who are excluded from the discourses of mainstream society due to their origin religion, class, disability and/or sexual orientation, for example, are to be supported in expressing the reality of their lives through art.

For artists and/or activists:
- Two scholarships are given out per year for five months each
- Applications are invited via two open calls per year.

For associations, initiatives, collectives, etc.:
- Usually, one cooperation per year is established for twelve months at a time
- Interested organizations can contact residency@adkdw.org

From July to November 2024 the Participatory Residency Program is currently being shaped by RYM JALIL (they/them) - poet, visual anthropologist and food artist. Jalil's work orbits around relationships between memory, social space and cultural significations of food and coffee. Jalil's long-term project "Jebena Talks; Conversations and Ceremony Around Memory and Food" is a space for intimate gathering and exploration of ritual with a focus on themes of access and exclusion. Together with Un-Label, the ADKDW is organising a new residency from April to September 2025. Based on a topic of their choice, an artist-in-residence will develop a participatory programme for the Un-Label network and/or other communities with disabilities and implement it in collaboration with the ADKDW team.

“Māka puke | Bookmark” weaving workshop, Singapore Biennale 2022 / © kekahi wahi

Research- and work scholarships

With research- and work scholarships, the ADKDW brings international artists, thinkers, and cultural professionals to Cologne. They are given the opportunity to get to know the region and its art and creative scene, to conduct research, and to find new impulses for their own work.

For artists, scholars and/or cultural professionals:
- On the recommendation of ADKDW members, 2-3 research and work scholarships are awarded annually by invitation
- The selection of the Artists-in-Residence is made by the Members' Council and the Artistic Director of the ADKDW

From October to December 2024, the film initiative KEKAHI WAHI, led by filmmaker SANCIA MIALA SHIBA NASH and artist DREW K. BRODERICK, will offer a series of interconnected public events including a meet and greet, weaving and reading workshop and film screening, designed to create space for discussion. This residency is realized with support by the DAAD and takes place in collaboration with the Hawai'i Triennial 2025 'ALOHA NŌ'.