Production Funding Plus
In an era of great fragility in the arts and society, for independent artists/groups as well as production venues and festivals, the necessary planning security and artistic freedom that outstanding art requires are at risk of becoming ever scarcer. For this reason, the Fonds Darstellende Künste is establishing a funding program that is specifically aimed at outstanding artistic production in the performing arts: aesthetic ventures for large stages and spaces and for large audiences.
Following the successful special program XZLLNZ, the Fonds Darstellende Künste is now enabling self-commissioned artists and groups who have developed outstanding, unique artistic styles and groundbreaking aesthetic forms in the nationally and internationally recognized independent performing arts in recent years to produce remarkable new productions in co-production with or for performance at independent dance and theater venues, festivals, city and state theaters, private theaters as well as non-theater venues.
What is being funded?
Funding is being provided for artistic work processes for the development of new productions. Premieres should generally be part of any proposed project. Additional performances may also be part of the project.
Who can apply?
Long-standing professional self-commissioned artists/groups from the performing arts who are based and work primarily in Germany.
How much can be applied for?
The minimum application amount is €75,000 and the maximum is €125,000.
Co-financing of at least 100% of the application amount for the proposed project must be proven at the time of application. At least 50% of the amount applied for from the fund must come from public funds (German federal states and/or municipalities).
Regulations
The regulations form the basis for the formal completeness of the application and include information on application requirements, formal exclusion criteria, and the cost and financing plan, as well as a list of the documents to be submitted. They should be read carefully before submitting an application. Failure to comply with the criteria set forth in the guidelines may result in an application being rejected on formal grounds and not forwarded to the jury.
Application and funding deadlines
Applications to the Fonds Darstellende Künste will be submitted exclusively online.
Application deadline(s):
- 01 July 2026
The possible project period for approved projects begins on October 1, 2026, and ends on September 15, 2028.
A complete where-used list must be submitted by October 15, 2028, at the latest.
For all further information, please read the regulations before submitting your application or contacting the Fonds Darstellende Künste office by phone. Further assistance is available in the FAQs. We strive to make the application process barrier-free and accessible. Please contact beratung@fonds-daku.de to arrange for individual consultations.
Forms
The Fonds Darstellende Künste provides templates for the cost and financing plans that must be submitted; these must be used when applying. These and other important documents are available in the Forms section.
Jury
The jury for the production funding program is made up of members of the Fonds' board of trustees. You can find an overview of the members of the board of trustees here.