The building has been owned by the district of Altmarkkreis Salzwedel since 1990. In 1990/91, it was completely renovated with state funds.

Since 1997, artists have been given the opportunity to work at the Künstler- und Stipendiatenhaus Salzwedel for limited periods of time and to present their works to the public. The aim is to make contemporary art, literature and music better known in the region and to promote an understanding of art among the general population. The artists come from Saxony-Anhalt, other federal states, as well as from abroad.

So far, 107 artists have lived temporarily in the centre in Salzwedel. Of these, 41 scholarship holders were selected by the association and 66 by the state of Saxony-Anhalt.