Schiesslhaus AiR

The SCHIESSLHAUS AiR is an artists' residence with a publicly funded artist-in-residence program – a studio house for professional artists and at the same time a cultural venue – in the heritage-protected 'Schießl-Haus' in Kollnburg, Bavarian Forest. As a network partner of the project DEMOKRATIE UNPLUGGED – KUNST FÜR ALLE within the federal program 'Aller.Land – zusammen gestalten. Strukturen stärken.', the SCHIESSLHAUS AiR focuses on participatory art projects: artists develop their projects together with the local community and create spaces for exchange and shared learning. In this way, artistic practice and democratic action come together in everyday encounters.

The residency program takes place in the monument award-winning "Schießl-Haus" in Kollnburg. During the three-month residency at SCHIESSLHAUS AiR, the guest artists are provided with living, working and presentation spaces. The modern and functional furnishings of the artists' residence create optimal living and working conditions. On the ground floor of the artists' residence are the common areas: a cozy living room with a wood-burning stove, a fully equipped kitchen with a seating area, a storage room, and two sanitary rooms (bathroom and toilet). The upper floor is divided into three spacious private rooms, which offer space for retreat and can also be used as individual workspaces. The light-flooded, shared studio (approx. 22 sqm) is also located on the upper floor. The SCHIESSLHAUS AiR program hosts approx. three artists per residency period.

The SCHIESSLHAUS AiR program offers living, studio and presentation spaces; the communal working studio is located on the upper floor. The studio consists of an approx. 22 square meter workroom with two windows, a double door leading to the outside, and an inside sink. Moreover, the individual private rooms can be used as workspaces. In May 2026, SCHIESSLHAUS AiR opened an additional work and project space in a former shop located directly opposite the artists' residence. With 60 sqm and two large shop windows, it offers versatile possibilities for working, presenting and increasing the public visibility of artistic projects. The artists are responsible for their working materials. There is wireless internet (WLAN) throughout the house. A beamer, printer and basic tools are available for common use.

The residencies at SCHIESSLHAUS AiR are part of the project DEMOKRATIE UNPLUGGED – KUNST FÜR ALLE and are linked to an artistic-cultural assignment: during the three-month residency, the guest artists develop and realize a participatory art project together with a fixed local group – either in a school context (program line KUNST AN SCHULEN, March 1–May 31) or in a cultural/social context (program line KUNST IM DORF, September 1–November 30). The project work includes regular project days or workshops as well as mandatory participation in internal and public program events, such as the kick-off event, the Open Studios and the Open Space festival or the annual symposium. During the residency period, there is a residency obligation; exceptions are possible in consultation with the project management. The SCHIESSLHAUS AiR program offers guest artists living, studio and presentation spaces, high-profile presentation platforms and networks, a fixed fee of 4,400 euros, a budget for material and production costs, and a budget for travel expenses.

The art projects are selected by an expert jury composed of representatives of the project management, the network partners (SCHIESSLHAUS AiR and BILD-WERK FRAUENAU), the schools or cooperation partners, and the regional committee. Applications are possible at any time and must be submitted via an online form, including a project outline (1,000–2,000 characters), a portfolio (1 PDF, max. 10 pages, max. 10 MB, with work samples no older than 5 years) and an artist CV (1 PDF, max. 2 pages, max. 2 MB). Jury sessions take place twice a year: application deadline for KUNST AN SCHULEN is October 1 (residency period March 1–May 31), for KUNST IM DORF May 30 (residency period September 1–November 30). Current open call for KUNST IM DORF: application deadline June 30, 2026, notification by July 31, 2026. Please note: For the program line KUNST AN SCHULEN, as well as for KUNST IM DORF projects involving children and young people, a current extended criminal record certificate is required at the start of the residency (costs will be reimbursed). For further information, see: https://demokratieunplugged.de/mitmachen