The Artist Residency Schloss Balmoral awards annual scholarships to visual artists of all ages from around the world. Since 2013, the scholarships have been tied to a specific artistic genre or theme. The supported artists — including one “artist at risk” — live and work at Schloss Balmoral in Bad Ems. Additionally, the residency awards two curatorial residencies and one Educator-in-Residence scholarship each year. An annual Neustart scholarship is awarded to Kunsthochschule Mainz graduates.

The castle, where the artists live and work during their residency, is a place of encounter, artistic production, and theoretical reflection.
Since its founding in 1995, all disciplines of the visual arts have been represented. The residency program engages the public through exhibitions, lectures, and a wide range of events, fostering an intensive dialogue between artists, academics, and art enthusiasts.

Since 2021, the Kunsthochschule Mainz has been responsible for the residency. Previously, the responsibility was held by the Stiftung Rheinland-Pfalz für Kultur since its founding. This partnership has created stimulating connections, including jointly curated events, lecture series, and workshops in Bad Ems and Mainz. Residents also participate in the annual Rundgang through the Kunsthochschule’s studio classes.

The Förderverein Balmoral 03 e.V., founded in 2003, plays a significant role in fostering connections between residents and those interested in art. The association has supported the residency and its artists financially and in other ways for over 25 years.

In addition to the on-site residency scholarships at the castle, the Artist Residency Schloss Balmoral administers funding from the Ministry for Family, Women, Culture, and Integration of Rhineland-Palatinate. This extends the scholarship program to include two location-independent project scholarships, two scholarships for Paris, France, one for Seoul, South Korea, and one for the Rhineland-Palatinate partner region of Burgundy-Franche-Comté.