Akademie Schloss Solitude

The Akademie Schloss Solitude is a public-law foundation that offers an interdisciplinary and international fellowship program for artists and scientists. Since 1990, the Akademie has supported artists in the disciplines of architecture, visual arts, performing arts, design, literature, music/sound and video/film/new media with residency and work fellowships. Since 2002, young people from the science and business sectors are also eligible for fellowships with the art, science & business program. The Akademie Schloss Solitude is financially supported by the German province of Baden-Württemberg.

"Esprit Solitude" (the Solitude spirit)

An example of late-Baroque style, poised on a hill overlooking the cultural and industrial city of Stuttgart, the Akademie Schloss Solitude has developed into an important global network for the international art scene. In harmony with the castle's location and history, Solitude is a retreat and "free zone" for art and life. But it also has a public face as an exhibition venue, innovative laboratory and arena for discourse. The Akademie's fellows and guests use it as an artistic incubator, a projection screen; a place to make lasting connections or as an opportunity to realize a project without having to conform to conventions. The institution represents an open concept of art and intentionally allows its guests to influence and shape it.

History

Duke Carl Eugen had the late-Baroque Solitude Castle built between 1763 and 1769 as a hunting lodge and summer residence. Soon, however, he began using the residence for the Hohe Karlsschule (Carl's High School) Military Academy, whose students included Friedrich Schiller. Solitude was later used for an array of functions, including military hospital, restaurant, prison and student dormitory. The two officers and cavalier's buildings have housed the living, working and exhibition areas of the Akademie Schloss Solitude since 1990.

Facilities

The Akademie Schloss Solitude has 45 furnished live/work studios. The building also has a lecture hall, workshops, computer stations, a library, a cafeteria and additional public areas. Exhibitions, symposia, performances and other events take place primarily at the Akademie. The Akademie has used a renovated timbered barn on the castle grounds to host classical concerts since 2008 and also runs a project space on Römerstasse in Stuttgart's city center.