BMKÖS is taking new measures for international mobility, cooperation and visibility of Austrian artists. The new website away.co.at offers an overview of the federal government’s current foreign studio program, with comprehensive information on incoming and outgoing offers in Austria and presentation and networking opportunities for visual artists. Additionally, BMKÖS has created new foreign studios in Accra and Seoul, thus creating opportunities to stay in Ghana and South Korea for the first time from 2024 onwards.
BMKÖS currently offers a total of 12 foreign studios for fine art, fine art photography and media art in 9 cities (Helsinki, Istanbul, London, New York, Paris, Shanghai, Tel Aviv, Tokyo and Vilnius). These are awarded to artists as part of scholarships lasting several months. In addition, BMKÖS annually awards 10 FREE AWAY scholarships for a stay abroad, which can be freely chosen and organized independently. BMKÖS finances foreign studios and foreign scholarships with around 595,000 euros.
Photo: Foundation for Contemporary Art – Ghana
Secretary of State for Art and Culture, Andrea Mayer: “Art and culture thrive on inspiration, on constant exchange across national borders. On the one hand, mobility offers allow for a financial framework, on the other hand, stays in foreign studios offer the opportunity for cultural exchange at an international level, expand networks and further develop artistic careers. A change of location often becomes a change of perspective and can therefore become an important source of creative inspiration for artistic work.”
The away.co.at website was first launched in 2016. With the current relaunch, the information available has been significantly expanded and made even easier to use. Current residencies are gaining greater visibility, organizational help is being provided, and the history of the 40+ year Federal Studios Abroad program is being documented. A refined and targeted search using various criteria, such as family, allows the selection of a suitable offer.
Artists who are staying at one of the studios established around the world through the federal government’s foreign studio program can provide information about their everyday life abroad and broadcast their experiences via Instagram or in the form of diaries. This category is expanded by Insta-Live Talks with virtual studios opened directly from abroad. Current residencies open their studios in live sessions (via Instagram Live) and share their experiences.
Photo: SCA Residence
Additional Information:
From 2024 there will be two new locations: Accra, in Ghana, and Seoul, in South Korea. Registration is possible until November 30, 2023 under announcements.
(06.11.2023)