About the MQ Artist-in-Residence Program
The MQ Artist-in-Residence Program at MuseumsQuartier annually offers approximately 60 international artists the opportunity to live and work at MuseumsQuartier. Participants can develop their artistic projects and become familiar with the local art and cultural scene. The goal of the MQ Artist-in-Residence Program is to infuse Vienna’s local art scene with fresh, external perspectives and foster exchange through the involvement of international artists.
Location and Environment
The MQ Artist-in-Residence Program is unique. All eight studios are located on the MuseumsQuartier site, designed by Johann Fischer von Erlach, one of Europe’s most significant Baroque architects. Originally built as imperial stables, the MuseumsQuartier is now one of the world’s largest art and culture complexes, located in the heart of Vienna. It hosts the city’s major museums, along with numerous art institutions. The MQ Artist-in-Residence Program is integrated into this vibrant cultural community.
Organizational and Curatorial Support
A focus of the program is individual support provided by the MQ team, which facilitates connections between guest artists and the local art and cultural scene. This proactive approach ensures lively and sustainable international cultural exchange.
Thematic Focus
In alignment with the broader mission of the MuseumsQuartier, the MQ Artist-in-Residence Program emphasizes two main themes:
Art & Ecology
With the "MQ goes Green" initiative, the MuseumsQuartier leads in integrating art, culture, and nature. Through sustainable projects and ecological themes, the MuseumsQuartier aims to contribute significantly to societal transformation and become a climate-neutral art and cultural site by 2030. Since 2023, one of the studios is dedicated to the “Art & Ecology” theme, inviting artists working with ecological issues to participate.
Socially Relevant Themes and Solidarity with Artists at Risk
The MuseumsQuartier consciously provides space for artists from war-torn regions or countries where artistic freedom and free speech are restricted. Selection of participants is based on artistic relevance and individual perspectives, regardless of nationality.
Program Structure
The MQ Artist-in-Residence Program was established in 2002 and collaborates with major institutional partners, such as the Austrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (BMEIA), the Ministry of Culture (BMKOES), and the tranzit.org/ERSTE Foundation network, as well as smaller art and cultural initiatives.
Conditions
All guest artists live free of charge in one of the eight MQ studios and receive a monthly grant of €1.300. Additionally, EU-based residents receive a travel allowance of €300, while artists from non-European countries receive €500.
Studios and Thematic Focus Areas
- tranzit.org/ERSTE Foundation Studio for artistsfrom Croatia, Romania, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia, Ukraine, and Hungary
This residency supports artists from Central, Eastern, and Southeastern Europe, including Ukraine since 2022. The residencies allow for two-month stays, with an emphasis on research and development free from production pressure.
- Writer-in-Residence Studio in cooperation with the Austrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (BMEIA)
Established in 2010, this studio allows six writers each year to stay for two months, work on their projects, and participate in public readings. The next open call will be held in spring 2025.
- MQ Art & Ecology Studio
Reflecting the MQ’s commitment to environmental issues, this studio invites artists engaged with ecological themes for two-month residencies. The next open call is scheduled for spring 2025 for residencies in 2026-2027.
- ASoP (Artists Solidarity Program) ) Studio in cooperation with the Austrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (BMEIA)
This studio is designated for artists who face restrictions or significant personal risks in presenting their art publicly. Focus is placed on European regions beyond the EU borders. Nominations are made by an expert council from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
- Focus International – a program for cultural workers from Kosovo and South Africa in cooperation with the Austrian Ministry of Culture (BMKOES)
Initiated as a pilot project for Kosovo in 2023, the program will expand to South Africa in 2025. Cultural workers from Kosovo and South Africa are invited to participate in two-month internships, enriching Viennese art institutions with their perspectives and skills.
- Studios in Cooperation with Smaller Art and Cultural Initiatives
MQ is committed to supporting small and medium-sized art and cultural initiatives on its premises. MQ funds residencies for individual artists integrated into these initiatives’ programs, collaborating with ASIFA Austria, EIKON, TONSPUR_passage, Tricky Women/Tricky Realities und Vienna Shorts.