Stiftung Künstler*dorf Schöppingen will undergo comprehensive and gradual renovation until 2029, while continuing to operate as a residence.

Since 1989, the Künstler*dorf Schöppingen supports international artists with its residency program. The stipend-funded fellowship of two to six months enables the realization of projects in the fields of literature, visual arts and composition. More than 900 fellows have been supported to date, and numerous works of art, projects, and ideas have been created here and continue to have an impact on the international cultural scene.

During deliberations on the federal budget for 2026, the federal government approved support of up to two million euros on the night of November 14. This secures the renovation of the Künstler*dorf, with total costs of 5.5 million euros, in time for its 40th anniversary. The project is also generously supported by the North Rhine-Westphalia Foundation for Nature Conservation, Heritage and Cultural Preservation and the Ministry of Culture and Science of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia.

Based on detailed building reports, a roadmap for the urgently needed renovation of the building complex, which consists of two listed courtyards and several outbuildings, was drawn up in 2022 in collaboration with architects Mensen + Zora. The renovation project will be completed in several stages by 2029. By the end of 2025, the first phase, the renovation of the former Schulze-Dorfkönig courtyard, now the “Court of the Arts” of Künstler*dorf Schöppingen, will be completed.

Since 2024, the former Minister of State for Culture, Prof. Monika Grütters, has been chair of the foundation’s board. Local MP Jens Spahn (CDU) also campaigned for federal funding for the Künstler*dorf: „Texts, music, works of art, and new ideas have been created here for decades. With federal funding, we are investing in creativity, diversity, and future opportunities—and strengthening the cultural infrastructure of our region in the long term. This is a strong cultural policy signal for rural areas.“

photo: Executive board and foundation board of Künstler*dorf Schöppingen with managing director Julia Haarmann and architect Krischan Zora (Mensen + Zora Architekten) in November 2025. (© Camilo Pachón)