In general, only professional artists who live and work in Westphalia-Lippe are eligible to apply. Students are excluded. The professionalism of one's own work can be proven with at least one of the following references, based on the guidelines of the Deutscher Kulturrat (German Cultural Council). Proof will be requested on a random basis.

•     Relevant professional or university education in the artistic or creative field
•     Membership of the artists' social security fund
•     Document from the tax office with tax number
•     Membership of a relevant trade or professional association or trade union
•     Management contract with a collecting society/membership of a collecting society
•     Placement via an agency
•     Proven corresponding work experience

Applications from collectives that share the grant are generally possible.

Please note the additional requirements for the four profiles:

Emerging Artists
For artists who have been working professionally for a maximum of three years (after completing their training or studies, if applicable).

Senior Professional
For artists with at least ten years of artistic activity (after completing their training or studies, if available).

Dramaturgy / Curation / Artistic Production
For dramaturges, curators and artistic producers who can provide evidence of at least three professional productions, exhibitions or projects.

Network in Rural Areas
For professional artists who live and work in rural areas (see overview of rural areas in Westphalia-Lippe, in German language only) and who would like to establish or strengthen local networks and launch initiatives.

Fellows are selected by a jury of experts according to the following criteria:

• Convincing concept sketch (artistic content, aesthetics)
• Relation to and relevance for Westphalia-Lippe (themes, techniques, traditions, regional characteristics; enrichment of the cultural programme, cooperation partners if applicable)
• Artistic profile

Specific criteria for the profiles:

• Emerging artists: Relevance for own artistic development / establishment
• Senior professionals: Relevance for their own artistic development, possibly reorientation (new techniques, formats, profession, etc.)
• Dramaturgy / curation / artistic production: Relevance for further development / further networking / conceptualisation in the respective field
• Network in rural areas: Relevance for the development of a professional artistic network on site (consideration of local specifics, contact with cooperation partners)