Given the increase of geopolitical tensions, structural inequity and the climate crisis, a paradigm shift in our civilization seems inevitable. The principles, methods and knowledge used in this transition will be decisive for the direction and outcome of this turn.
„Making Worlds“ explores artistic practices, methods and epistemologies as bridges at the interfaces of diverse worlds, fields of knowledge and education. Through workshops led by artists and a Summer School based on holistic and relational learning, the project offers spaces for experience, empathy, dialog and experimentation.
The exploration of concepts of socially engaged art, such as conflict as a driving force for change, interspecies relationships, inclusion, spirituality or the playful use of technology, provides the starting point for reflections on the expansion of knowledge building.

Spread across the grounds of the Künstlerdorf, nine signs provide information about the historical background, developments and the program of the Künstlerdorf. The author Grashina Gabelmann conducted interviews with contemporary witnesses, founders and contributors.
You can find an excerpt of the contents here.
Let the orally-told stories take you into the background of this place!

After more than 34 years of exceptional commitment to the Künstlerdorf Schöppingen, Christina Rau was bid farewell as Chairwoman of the Foundation Board at the most recent meeting of the Foundation Board.
Professor Monika Grütters MdB succeeds her as Chairwoman of the Foundation Board.

We invite you to join us for a discussion of the essay „Against Hate“ by Carolin Emcke. It warns that the vision of an open society requires „close observation, constant differentiation and self-doubt“ (Carolin Emcke).

Over the course of 2023, the library of the Künstlerdorf became a place of encounter, learning and knowledge. During the successive redesign, global perspectives of the authors represented in the library and multilingualism were taken into account on the one hand, while on the other, forms of literature beyond the book format were also considered. The library, with its character between an archive and a „living library“, is constantly being supplemented and enriched with suggestions and perspectives from participants.

In the second edition of the CAP (Curating for Advanced Practices) program, everything revolved around (new) forms of literature and those who make and facilitate them.

The KünstlerdorfSchöppingen is the focus of the winning project „Transformations in Münsterland. The community garden, kitchen, workshop, library, gallery and exhibition hall are understood as places of learning and knowledge for citizens. What contribution can the village make as a socio-ecologically oriented actor for sustainable regional development? To this end, artists exchange ideas with students of landscape ecology and sociology on the significance of urban gardens for community building. Prof. Dr. Matthias Grundmann from the Institute of Sociology, Dr. Cornelia Steinhäuser from the Institute of Landscape Ecology and Julia Haarmann from the Stiftung Künstlerdorf Schöppingen are leading the project. The socio-ecological transformation process of the Künstlerdorf is scientifically accompanied by the Center for Interdisciplinary Sustainability Research at the University of Münster.

SOUNDSEEING is a cooperative interdisciplinary sound art festival in the Münsterland region, which, with its interplay of exhibitions, concerts, performances and workshops of high artistic quality, offers viewers and listeners a unique sensory experience of sounds in space.

„Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds that you plant.”
(Robert Louis Balfour Stevenson, Scottish writer, 1850 – 1894)

The seminar takes the concept of permaculture as a starting point for new thinking about the functionality of artistic systems and the different types of art institutions. The goal is to bring the teaching of plants and permaculture, which has served primarily as exhibition content, into the structures of cultural work in order to influence curatorial practice: How can permaculture ethics (Earthcare, Peoplecare, and Fairshare) spur a sustainable transformation of arts institutions that goes beyond a superficial application of ecological principles?

In addition to keynote lectures that were accessible online, there was an open event for interested people, artists and cultural practitioners to follow content and exchange with participants.

The Stiftung Künstlerdorf Schöppingen deals with questions of an alternative corporate culture related to its residency program. In doing so, interior and exterior space are considered together and aspects of more sustainable and fairer cycles of resources are included. During the project, a vernacular kitchen garden will be created, a connection to the program design will be established and a guideline with policies about mobility, the use of resources and the temporary communities located in the Künstlerdorf will be developed.

The Stiftung Künstlerdorf Schöppingen shows solidarity with the people of Ukraine and those who had to leave their country because of the war.

As a concrete aid measure, we are joining the „Kultur hilft Kultur“ campaign initiated by the NRW Culture Council and accompanied and supported by the NRW Ministry of Culture and Science. This makes a culture-specific contribution to help artists and cultural workers from Ukraine with opportunities for cultural life. Free apartments and studios including a monthly grant are now available for this purpose in the Künstlerdorf.

Künstlerdorf Schöppingen and Landesmusikakademie NRW in Heek are intensifying their collaboration.

In a first step, a joint position for a volunteer in the social year in culture, a so-called FSJ culture, is offered. This combined position, which will start on September 1st, will help to connect the two institutions and is also responsible for joint projects and events. Here young people have the opportunity to get to know the work of two different cultural institutions and to gain an insight into cultural management. Interested young people are invited to apply for an FSJ Kultur.

On January 27, 2022, the co-initiator and founding director of the Künstlerdorf Schöppingen died in Münster at the age of 93. During his eight years in Schöppingen, he provided important impetus for literature and the visual arts and created an enduring place to live and work. We remember him with great appreciation and gratitude.

The opera project by the Mexican composer and sound artist was created during his six-month fellowship residency in 2021. In his work, Mendoza explores the possibilities of expanding sounds using his own analog and/or digital instruments. To create new ways of perceiving sound, he works with external electronic sources such as video, image and sensors. „Akasha“ is a series of five interactive compositions and ensembles based on the five essential elements (fire, water, earth, wind and spirit). The five elements of nature can exist on their own, but their environment begins to change as they interact.

Works by our fellows Noncedo Gxekwa, Felipe Castelblanco and Géraldine Tobe, with assistance from Jeanpy Kabango, will be on view as part of the exhibition “History’s Footnote: on Love and Freedom” at Marres – Huis voor Hedendaagse Cultuur.

For the first time there is the possibility to use the newly equipped workshop area of ​​the Künstlerdorf for own ideas and projects. Techniques such as drawing, painting, screen printing, analog photography and working with clay, wood and metal are available here. A trained workshop manager and fellows of the Künstlerdorf provide insights into manual and artistic work. Different techniques can be learned and tried out independently.

… offer the opportunity to regularly gain insights into artistic processes and to have a personal exchange with the fellows. We cordially invite you to experience literary, artistic and musical contributions in an informal atmosphere.