Dance residency at TATWERK and in Volkspark Hasenheide
The residency program UNKNOWN GEOGRAPHIES focuses on somatic and choreographic practices in conversation with public space and urban ecology. During the residency, the working locations will be both Volkspark Hasenheide and the studio at TATWERK, enabling an in-depth exploration of the bodily dimensions of urban space. The curatorial focus of UNKNOWN GEOGRAPHIES lies on somatic and choreographic practices that connect environment, community, and neighborhood with posthumanist perspectives and inclusive concepts of agency. We are seeking research projects that are both ecologically sustainable and socially just, and that value and promote the diversity of human and non-human experiences and forms of expression.
Artists are invited to submit residency proposals that center the local context of Volkspark Hasenheide – particularly its landscapes and/or communities – and, in accordance with their own artistic practice and interests, focus on specific aspects of “unknown geographies”. UNKNOWN GEOGRAPHIES is a residency for artistic research, the production or adaptation of performances are not allowed. Freed from the pressure to “produce,” artists can explore new working methods or deepen, consolidate, or discard already tested practices.
Residency period: July 6th to July 31st 2026
Who we are looking for
- Individual artists or artist groups of a maximum of 4 people
- Artists whose place of work and residence is Berlin (a registered Berlin address is required)
- Artists with a primary focus on dance
- Artists with a research interest in public space, urban green areas, and the relationship between humans and nature, as well as power relations within the urban fabric
- Preferably artists who have not previously worked with TATWERK but are interested in building a sustainable relationship with TATWERK
- Preferably artists who are often excluded from funding opportunities due to discrimination
Artists who are enrolled at a university at the time of the residency are not eligible to apply. (This also applies to PhD candidates.)
What we offer
- A stipend € 2000 per artist for the entire residency period
- Access to the TATWERK studio (3 weeks: 13th to the 31st of July)
- Kick-off walk in the Hasenheide as well as regular mentoring and dramaturgical advice from the curatorial team
- Connections to TATWERK’s networks for the continuation of the research and/or production
- One-time professional photo and video documentation of the residency for further use
How we select
The selection of the residency artist or artist group will be made by the curatorial team of the residency, Aurora Kellermann and Aru Ray Tormann, in collaboration with various initiatives active in Volkspark Hasenheide.
The main selection criteria are:
- Alignment with the research focus of UNKNOWN GEOGRAPHIES
- An artistic concept for implementing the proposed research project and a realistic assessment of the applicant’s ability to address the described questions
- Relevance for the local communities
- Feasibility of the concept
- Awareness of resources
After reviewing and evaluating all applications, we will select one to two research projects, enabling a residency for a total of up to four artists. In the case of two residencies taking place in parallel, the studio at TATWERK will be shared between the groups. We are happy to support the process of establishing clear and constructive agreements for shared studio use.
Checklist
- All artists locate their practice within dance
- All artists live and work in Berlin and are officially registered in Berlin
- None of the artists is currently enrolled at a university
- Availability during the entire residency period
Only complete applications will be considered in the selection process.
Application deadline: February 15th 2026
For questions please write to: aru@tatwerk-berlin.de
All artists will receive feedback by mid-March regarding whether they have been selected for the residency.
Application
Graphics by Aurora Kellermann based on a Vector file by vecteezy.com.
Funded by the Senate Department for Culture and Social Cohesion of the State of Berlin.
