7. Perspective and Dates

Funding deadlines 2026Dates 2026

For the Fonds Darstellende Künste, the year 2026 is about constructive reflection. The independent performing arts possess great artistic power, creativity and social relevance, yet their production conditions have noticeably deteriorated.
In particular, the production venues on the independent scene have been significantly weakened in recent years. Rising costs, uncertain funding structures and ongoing budgetary constraints at the federal, state and municipal levels have had a direct impact on opportunities for artistic work.
In 2026, the focus will be on strengthening artistic production itself and fostering new aesthetic approaches. In 2026, the Fonds regards itself as a reliable funding partner that enables stability while simultaneously supporting artistic developments across a diverse range of forms and aesthetic languages in an interdisciplinary manner for all disciplines.
The ongoing budgetary constraints make it clear that new solutions are needed – not in the form of short-term adjustments, but through a targeted and forward-looking strengthening of arts funding. This issue will also be a central focus of the BUNDESTREFFEN 2026.
To enhance the visibility of the independent performing arts, a new calendar feature will be introduced in 2026 and a redesign of the visual identity will be implemented. The goal is to make funding decisions, and especially the resulting artistic outcomes, more clearly and consistently visible.
Another key highlight in 2026 is the Theaterpreis des Bundes, including the presentation of the Tabori Prize, hosted by the Fonds Darstellende Künste on April 17, which honors an outstanding independent group. The prize is endowed with 100,000 euros. With this, the Fonds Darstellende Künste honors a significant artistic voice and highlights the independent performing arts as another vital pillar of the theater landscape across Germany.
In 2026, the Fonds Darstellende Künste will continue to focus on dialogue, cooperation and the joint further development of funding initiatives with those it funds. Please feel free to contact us with any questions, requests or suggestions.
 

Holger Bergmann

Managing director, Fonds Darstellende Künste

Board Meetings

• January 29, 2026
• April 17, 2026
• September 2026
• December 2026 

Events and Discourse

• April 17, 2026 | Presentation of the Federal Theater Prize and the Tabori Prize | Berlin
• May 5, 2026 | Launch of the Fonds.Salon series – A Resonance Space for the Independent Performing Arts
• Fall 2026 | BUNDESTREFFEN26 of the Independent Performing Arts | Berlin

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