7. Günther Uecker Research Fellowship Apr 1–Aug 31, 2026 Application deadline: Feb 15, 2026Günther Uecker Institute

The Günther Uecker Institute (GUI) is offering a scholarship for 2026, in cooperation with the State Museum Schwerin. As part of a planned Günther Uecker exhibition at the museum (2026/2027), a research scholarship will be awarded, embedded in the educational work related to the exhibition project.

The Uecker exhibition at the State Museum Schwerin examines the complex oeuvre of Günther Uecker, with a particular focus on his engagement with light. The research grant builds upon this, accompanying the conceptualization and educational planning of the exhibition for five months in 2026 and addressing aspects such as "light as material" and formats of "introspection" in Uecker's work. The project thus focuses on a necessarily inward-directed perception, in which the attention, sensitivity, and resonance of both artist and audience are equally constitutive. Light is understood here as an aesthetic phenomenon as well as a poetic and spatial medium.

Within the context of the scholarship, formats are to be developed that convey such a perspective on Uecker's work within the museum setting. The research will examine forms of transmission in which processes of self-observation, reduction, and intensified perception are translated into viable communication strategies – textual, performative, dialogical, or digital. The aim is theoretically grounded and simultaneously practice-oriented research that may include innovative art education and museum didactics approaches, as well as textual, spatial, or performative forms of communication.

The GUI and the State Museum Schwerin aim to integrate the research results into the educational program for the exhibition, together with the scholarship recipient.

The scholarship lasts for five months. The monthly stipend is €1,000. In addition, a flat rate of €1,000 is provided to cover travel and accommodation expenses for stays and meetings in Schwerin. The total monthly payment from April 1st to August 1st, 2026, is €1,200.

Applicants should be prepared to work in Schwerin at mutually agreed times – ideally on three dates – in order to interact with the team on site and to present the research work publicly, for example in the form of a lecture or a workshop discussion.

The scholarship is aimed at Master's students, doctoral candidates, and recent graduates who are young professional theorists, artists, art educators, and art education researchers. Experience in art education practice, dealing with museological issues, and in interdisciplinary collaboration is advantageous.

The following documents must be submitted:

- Short CV

- Statement on the research project (maximum three pages)

- Statement on possible transfer formats for practical implementation

- Tabular CV (maximum five pages)

- Letter of reference

- Writing sample and/or portfolio (if applicable)

Application deadline:

Complete application documents must be submitted via the website by February 15, 2026: guenther-uecker-institut.de/stipendium (https://www.guenther-uecker-institut.de/foerderung/ausschreibungen/https://www.guenther-uecker-institut.de/foerderung/ausschreibungen/)

For further questions, please contact: Antonia Gradnitzerag@guenther-uecker-institut.de Tel.: 0152 28 14040 1