Regulations (Application Deadline: 15.07.2025)

01. The XZLLNZ grant program aims to support the creation of new production projects of a national and international relevance by long-standing professional, primarily independently producing performance artists/artist groups of all fields and genres of performing arts (among them performance, theater, dance, music theater, puppet and object theater, theater in public space, contemporary circus or a genre mix) at German city and state theaters. 
 
02. Funding is available for new artistic productions in the performing arts. Premieres (or also additional performances occurring directly afterwards at the premiere venue) should, as a rule, be part of the project being applied for in this grant program. In addition, guest performances at other locations can also be a part of the project (see nr. 13).

03. Artists applying for grants must have been professionally and artistically active in the independent performing arts for at least five years. Their previous work must have been recognized in national and/or international artistic discourse and their headquarters or residency and main artistic work focus must be in Germany. Alternatively, co-producing city or state theaters (with an ensemble or repertoire), who cooperate with the same artists, can also be the applicant and thus also the receiver of the program grant in case of a positive decision.

04. The projects in the context of the XZLLNZ special program must predominantly be realized and presented in Germany. The applies especially to the premiere. Artistically justified deviations from this provision must be described in detail in the application.
 
05. Applicants must be in a position to guarantee proper business management as well as deliver proof of correct use of grant funds.

06. Applications must be submitted online by 15.07.2025 (deadline) at 11:59 pm.

07. Applications must be submitted using the appropriate online form.
 

A complete application shall also include:

• a cost and financing plan in the excel format provided by the Fonds Darstellende Künste and in accordance with the provisions in points 13 to 18 of these regulations;
• a respectively two-page detailed description of the artists/group and its/their previous artistic activity as well as the (co-)producing theater, its structure and artistic orientation in a pdf document
• a three-page detailed project description as a pdf document  
• internet links for a self-presentation
• proof of all confirmed co-financing (in the form of an grant confirmation) and possible cash own means (in the form of a bank statement) as one pdf document (see nr. 15)
• A letter of intent covering the cooperation for the production project being applied for signed by the director/artistic directorship of the theater or management/direction.
• For calculated guest performances: binding guest performance declarations of the respective theaters, (co-)production or guest performance venues (see point 13) summarized in a pdf document

08. An application is considered to have been submitted on time if all the documents (see point 07) are uploaded to the online portal of the Fonds Darstellende Künste and sent by 11:59 p.m. at the latest on the date of the application deadline. Late or incomplete applications cannot be considered.

09. The basis for the approval, disbursement and settlement of funds is a project funding agreement within the meaning of No. 12.5 of the administrative regulations on Section 44 of the Bundeshaushaltsordnung (BHO). The “Allgemeinen Nebenbestimmungen für Zuwendungen zur Projektförderung des Bundes” (ANBest-P) become part of the project funding agreement.

10. There is no entitlement to funding. Payments will be made on the basis of an up-to-date cost and financing plan following the conclusion of a funding agreement. In addition, a project bank account must be used or set up to receive the funding. Otherwise, funding cannot be guaranteed. 

11. In the event of a funding approval, the possible project realization period lasts between (expected) 01.10.2025 and 31.07.2027. The project or project section applied for must be fully implemented within this period.

12.  A complete where-used list must be submitted no later than three months after the end of the respective appropriation period, but no later than 30.09.2027. In the case of projects lasting longer than one year, an interim where-used list must be submitted by January 31 of the following year at the latest in accordance with ANBest-P (6.1).

13. Within the framework of the XZLLNZ special programs, the Fonds supports projects in the field of the independent performing arts at a level of at least EUR 125,000 and up to a maximum of EUR 200,000. Should a theater or production venue or festival of the independent performing arts located in Germany demonstrably present bindingly at least two presentations of the production that is being applied for or co-produce it, then the maximum application amount may be increased to EUR 250,000 in the framework of the project to realize these additional performances.

14. A prerequisite for XZLLNZ special programs grants is the existence of a balanced cost and financing plan. 

15. Co-financing from public funds (from federal states and/or municipalities*) amounting to at least 100% of the application amount to the Fonds** must be demonstrably secured before the application is submitted.

16. Personnel and material expenses are only eligible for funding in accordance with the General Auxiliary Provisions for Project Funding (ANBest-P). Any travel expenses incurred are eligible for reimbursement in accordance with the Bundesreisekostengesetz (BRKG). Investment costs for technology, presentation and other purchases may not generally exceed 30% of the application amount.

17. VAT deductible in accordance with Paragraph 15 of Germany’s Value Added Tax Act (UStG) is not eligible for funding. Ongoing non-project-related personnel and material expenses are also excluded.

18. The lower fee limit recommendations for the independent performing arts must be adhered to for the proposed fees.***  

19. Funding is excluded if the project applied for has already commenced before funding is approved, i.e., if expenditures have already been incurred or contracts have already been concluded.
 
20. Applicants may only apply for one project in one funding round of the program.

21. This grant program does not support revisions or adaptations of already performed or previous productions with similar content.
 
22. An application to the Fonds Darstellende Künste excludes co-financing of the project applied for by another funding institution that awards federal funds. This includes the Kulturstiftung des Bundes, the Hauptstadtkulturfonds, the Bundeszentrale für politische Bildung, the Fonds Soziokultur, the Tanzpakt, the Musikfonds, as a rule the Goethe-Institut and co-production funding from the National Performance Network (NPN).

These regulations apply from 03.13.2025 and are subject to change.
 

Berlin, 03. March 2024
Fonds Darstellende Künste e.V. 
Vorstand und Geschäftsführung

* In this program, public funds are defined as funding from German municipalities and federal states in direct or indirect form. As a rule, this applies to the own funds of German municipal and state theaters.

** If you apply to the fund for EUR 150,000, for example, at least EUR 150,000 in co-financing from public funds must be demonstrably available and secured.

*** Recommendation of the Bundesverband Freie Darstellende Künste e.V. for a lower fee limit for the independent performing arts in Germany for 1) professional groups with compulsory insurance in the Künstlersozialkasse (KSK): EUR 3,100 per month / EUR 715 per week / EUR 140 per day / EUR 310 per performance. For 2) professional groups for whom social security via the KSK is not possible: EUR 3,600 per month / EUR 830 per week / EUR 165 per day / EUR 360 per performance. The Fonds Darstellende Künste also recommends taking a closer look at the ver.di initiative on basic fees for self-employed creative professionals.