FAQ (for artists and cultural workers from Ukraine)
How can Office Ukraine help me?
We can assist artists from Ukraine in finding studio places, residencies, and internships; we can provide information on applying to university, study possibilities, exhibition opportunities, and concert and reading options; and we can offer help finding jobs and accommodation. Our foremost goal is to fuel artistic collaboration between artists from Ukraine and Austria.
I need housing. Can you help me?
Yes, but finding accommodation is not our main task. We only pass on information on accommodations offered by artists and cultural workers. If we have a room or apartment available, we are happy to provide it to you.
I want to find a job in Austria. What should I do?
We can put you in touch with individuals / organizations / institutions that might be able to offer jobs. However, we cannot guarantee that it will work out immediately. To work in Austria you have to register first and obtain your papers. After receiving your blue residence card (»Ausweis für Vertriebene«), you can register with the Arbeitsmarktservice (AMS), the Austrian Public Employment Service: Labour Market in Austria for refugees from Ukraine.
Do you award scholarships?
No, we do not. »Office Ukraine. Shelter for Ukrainian Artists« can provide information on grants awarded by the Federal Ministry for Arts, Culture, the Civil Service and Sport (BMKÖS), which is issuing a special grant for Ukrainian artists in Austrian exile, and connect artists and cultural workers from Ukraine with institutions in Austria. Our aim is to put people in contact who would like to develop projects together and build a solid basis for the grant application. Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or want to connect.
How can I get a scholarship or project grant from the Austrian Federal Ministry for Arts, Culture, the Civil Service and Sport (BMKÖS)?
The working grant is €1,400 per month per artist for 3 months. Project funding is maximum €5,000 per project; no infrastructure or rental costs can be funded.
Who can apply for these grants?
- People and cultural institutions in Austria from all fields of art that develop projects with artists who have fled Ukraine;
- Artists who fled from Ukraine;
- People and cultural institutions in Austria from all fields of art who are implementing artistic projects in Ukraine.
Funding process
The applicant or cultural institution confirms in the funding application that the funds received will be used exclusively for artists who have fled Ukraine.
How to apply?
A completed and signed funding application (PDF, 232 KB) including attachments is required (enclosures: portfolio, CV, budget, schedule, project description).
All documents (enclosures in English are also possible) must be sent by email to ukrainehilfe(at)bmkoes.gv.at.
The applications are evaluated by a special jury.
All information is available here: Sonderförderung Ukraine-Hilfe.
The BMKÖS website is in German, but we can provide information in other languages. The application can be submitted in English as well. If you need assistance, we can connect you with artists based in Austria who are willing to become mentors and help with the application.
Can I get some money immediately?
At the moment, the Austrian government doesn’t provide immediate financial assistance for refugees from Ukraine. But you can get housing, food, clothes, free SIM cards, and health insurance, and register to obtain funds in the future. All information about the first steps in Austria can be found here: Federal Agency for Reception and Support Services.
Do I have to stay in Vienna?
We highly recommend that you consider other cities besides Vienna. Yes, Vienna is the capital of Austria, but it is challenging to find housing and a host for you here. There are a lot of art initiatives and options in other cities in Austria. For example, Linz hosts one of the biggest digital festivals in Europe – Ars Electronica. Not to forget the University of Art and Design located there. Graz, the second biggest city in Austria, offers a diverse cultural life including visual arts as well as theatre and music, and four universities, among them the University of Music and Performing Arts. It also the home of the Steirische Herbst Festival and Forum Stadtpark, two initiatives founded in the 1960s. These are just a few examples, but Salzburg, Innsbruck, Klagenfurt, Bregenz, St. Pölten, Krems, Eisenstadt, and many smaller towns also boast varied cultural institutions and initiatives and vivid cultural scenes that are internationally renowned. And there are plenty of independent cultural initiatives in the countryside as well. We have offices in further cities (link zur Karte) and are happy to provide information about other opportunities in Austria.
How can I help?
There are many ways to support artists and cultural workers fleeing war in Ukraine. Please get in touch with us if you would like to provide accommodation, studio spaces, project and work opportunities, transport, translation, or legal, administrative, medical, psychological and other services, or to become a mentor! If you would like to give your time, services, or expertise, please fill in the respective form on our website!
Is it possible to donate?
»Office Ukraine. Shelter for Ukrainian Artists« has also set up a bank account for donations. Your donation allows us to help quickly in difficult situations!
IBAN: AT362011184532396001
BIC: GIBAATWWXXX
