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Production Funding

In order to turn ideas into reality, it is important to support the entire development process of artistic work: from research and conceptual reflections to attempts at technical and aesthetic realization and rehearsal phases to the performance and its aftermath.

With production funding, the Fonds Darstellende Künste enables artists/groups who have been producing professionally and independently for many years to find and further develop new aesthetics and expressive formal languages for the artistic questioning of social developments, to implement production projects and to show these productions to the public for the first time.

What is funded?

Funding is provided for project-related, artistic work processes (including digital) that focus on the development and presentation of artistic productions in the diverse independent performing arts. Premieres and any subsequent performances are generally part of a project in the production funding program.

Who can apply?

Professionally producing artists/groups from the independent performing arts (including performance, drama, dance, music theater, puppet and object theater, theater in public space, contemporary circus) based and working in Germany.

How much can be applied for?

The application amount is a minimum of €15,000 and a maximum of €50,000.

Co-financing from public funds (federal states and/or local authorities) amounting to at least 50% of the application amount must be provided at the time of application.

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 regulations 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):

The possible project period for approved projects begins with the positive funding approval and ends on 31.08.2027 for projects submitted by the application deadline on 15.04.2026.

A complete where-used list must be submitted by two months after the end of the approval period, but no later than 31.10.2027.

For all further information, please read the regulations before submitting your application or before calling the office of the Fonds Darstellende Künste for advice. The FAQs provide further assistance. We strive to make the application process accessible and barrier-free. Please contact beratung@fonds-daku.de to arrange individual advice.   

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.