our offers for artists
1-Week-Visit
for young ukrainian artists to participate in the international opera project
“7 Lives - Echoes of Babyn Yar”
in Berlin, from 23. - 30.11.2026
We invite young Ukrainian visual artists, writers or filmmakers currently living in Ukraine to join the collaborative artistic process of the chamber opera “7 Lives – Echoes of Babyn Yar” in Berlin in November 2026. The project aims at commemorating the 85th anniversary of Babyn Yar, one of the most devastating crimes of the Holocaust. In September 1941, more than 33,000 Jews were murdered at the ravine on the outskirts of Kyiv—a site that has since become a powerful symbol of both tragedy and the struggle for remembrance. “7 Lives – Echoes of Babyn Yar” is collaboratively created by young Ukrainian, Jewish and German composers, musicians, performers and visual artists and will be presented for the first time in Berlin on November 28.
The 1-week-visit offers travel, accommodation and a daily allowance in Berlin, the possibility to jwork alongside the artistic team of the opera, to join the creation process and the two live performances on 28. and 29.11.2026. Selected participants are invited to participate in the rehearsals, reflect on content and meaning of the opera and to contribute visual material with their own artistic language and media.
The invitation includes the possibility to apply for a micro-grant within the project to realize your own artistic project connected to the topic of memory.
Possible contributions:
Live drawing, sketched documentation, short texts, poems, documentary videos, reportages, collages, a zine, etc.
Who can apply?
young (18-35) Ukrainian visual artists, writers, filmmakers living in Ukraine, who are allowed to travel.
Selected artists receive:
a one week stay in Berlin incl. travel, accommodation and a daily allowance.
an info-session before the trip
scheduling and coordination support
the possibility to learn and exchange in a young, international artistic context
the possibility to apply for a micro-grant to create your own artistic project
What we expect from you:
genuine interest in questions of history, memory and commemoration
self-responsibility, reliability, openness and the wish to participate in the artistic process of an opera.
good skills in the english language
the abilitiy to travel leagally to Berlin from 23 to 30 November 2026
Deadline for applications: 25. October 2026
How to apply:
past open calls
High Five Exhibition Series vol.2
open call#4
High Five Exhibition Series is an opportunity for artists with roots in Central, Southeastern and Eastern Europe and the Caucasus who are currently based in Berlin to exhibit their work free of charge at Hotel Continental – Art Space in Exile.
The series is dedicated to creating visibility for artistic voices and cultural perspectives that remain underrepresented in the German contemporary art scene. We believe contemporary art can challenge stereotypes, open space for dialogue, and make visible the diversity of experiences, identities, and artistic practices that shape today’s Europe and beyond.
Who Can Apply?
We welcome applications from emerging and established artists and collectives currently living in Berlin who have roots in Central, Southeastern and Eastern Europe, and the Caucasus.
We accept projects in painting, sculpture, installation, photography, video, performance, mixed media, or other contemporary visual art practices.
There is no thematic restriction. We encourage proposals that reflect the artist’s individual practice, research, and artistic vision. Selection is based primarily on conceptual quality, artistic strength, and the feasibility of realizing the project within the exhibition format.
What the Artist Is Responsible For
Production costs
Technical setup beyond the gallery’s basic infrastructure
Providing promotional materials
Promoting their exhibition through their own networks
Inviting their audience to the opening
Being present during the opening event
The High Five Exhibition Series is built on collaboration, shared responsibility, and active artistic engagement.
Application process
Deadline for applications: 27 September 2026
Selected artists announced: 4 October 2026
First exhibition opening: 22 October 2026
How Can I Apply?
Applicants are asked to fill in our application form below.
OPEN CALL #3
Voices before us - Voices after us is a writing workshop of the topic of origin and memory.
We invite young people (16-35 years old) to a three-day writing workshop on the topic of origin and memory. The workshop focuses on exploring one's own family history through writing – with a particular attention to gaps, ruptures, and the "untold" – potentially including family history related to the ruptures of World War 2.
The workshop is not about finding "right" answers, but about tracing one's roots, about personal reflection, and a sensitive approach to one's own origins through language. No prior literary experience is necessary. Participation is free; places are limited. Working languages: German and English.
The workshop will focus on:
writing workshop using biographical material
working with memories, fragments, and open questions
a sensitive approach to personal and historical topics
exchange within a small, confidential group (approx. 6-10 people)
Voices before us - Voices after us
Writing Workshop 18.-20.5.2026
Dates and Times
application deadline: 15. 5. 2026
Workshop dates: 18.5./19.5./20.5. Every day 16:00 -19:00
The workshop will take place in the gallery of Hotel Continental - Art Space in Exile.
OPEN CALL #1
High Five Exhibition Series
Who can apply?
This open call is for artists currently living in exile in Berlin, including both emerging and established practitioners working in visual art, installation, video, photography, and mixed media. While the project is rooted in the context of exile and displacement, thematic restriction is not madatory. The key to participating in our program is conceptual strength, clarity and feasibility within the short-term format.
What the Artist is responsible for
Participating artists are responsible for:
● Installation and de-installation
● Production costs
● Technical setup (if required beyond basic infrastructure)
● Providing promotional material and own promotional activity of the exhibition
● Bringing their own audience to the opening
● Active presence during the opening event
This model is based on shared responsibility and active artistic engagement.
Read FAQ here.
Application process and schedule
19.4.2026 Deadline for applications
1.5.2026 Announcement of participants
28.5.2026 Opening of the first High Five Exhibition
The open call is closed. The next round for applications will open in August 2026.
High Five Exhibition Series is an offer for artists currently living in exile to exhibit their work at in our gallery for free.
What we offer
We offer the possibility to exhibit your work at our venue for 5 days, with the opening on Thursday evening. Your exhibition will be on view from Friday to Monday, with de-installation on Tuesday. Selected artists receive use of our gallery without fee, as well as promotional and coordinational support within the professional context of Gallery of Hotel Continental - Art Space in Exile.
Selected artists receive:
● Free use of the gallery space for 5 exhibition days
● Professional artistic context within our gallery
● Inclusion in Hotel Continental - Art Space in Exile communication channels
● Scheduling and coordination support
● A curated environment aligned with contemporary art practices
This format is designed to provide visibility and momentum within the Berlin art context.
OPEN CALL #2
Routes & Roots Studio Residency
Routes n’ Roots (RnR) is an offer for Berlin-based emerging musicians with migrant, relocation or refugee experience to take part in a two-month studio residency at Hotel Continental - Art Space in Exile, Berlin. Residencies will start in June 2026.
We are offering six studio residencies for young artists looking for time, space, and community to deepen their practice. Each residency runs for two months.
Residents will receive independent access to our cozy, acoustically adapted music studio, equipped with a 24-channel mixer, PA, drum kit, keys amp, bass amp, and guitar amp. Other extra equipment depends exclusively on the artists. The artists will also be able to use shared spaces in the house, including our urban garden, kitchen, and common living room.
Studio access will be offered in coexistence with our wider artistic community. The residency is an opportunity to get in touch with other artists from diverse disciplines and backgrounds.
Read FAQ here.
Who can apply?
We are looking for applications from Berlin-based young musicians (aged 18 to 29 years) with migration, displacement, or refugee experience who are seeking a protected space to write, rehearse, record, and develop their work, while the possibility of exchange with artists from different disciplines and backgrounds. Any musical genre and style is welcome.
Application process and schedule
1.5.2026 Deadline for applications
15.5.2026 Announcement of participants
1.6..2026 Start of first residency