Submitting applications to cities/municipalities/provinces
You can submit an application to cities, municipalities or federal states and apply for funding. Please note that there may be different funding guidelines and that you therefore have to meet different requirements. Start your search for funding bodies as soon as possible to ensure that you can meet all the requirements and find the best funding body for you. If a production has already been completed, it will be difficult to get funding. Specific sound carrier productions or freelance artists are generally rarely supported, but there are always grants or scholarships available.
Music initiative
Support for artists
The Initiative Musik's artist promotion program supports up-and-coming musicians, the international dissemination of German music and the integration of musicians with a migration background. Funding is provided for
- Audio and audiovisual recordings
- Production of audio and video recordings
- Promotion and marketing
- concerts
- Participation in international music competitions and music fairs
Artists can be funded with up to €30,000 per project. You can find more information on artist grants at Initiative Musik.
APPLAUS
The Federal Government and the State Ministry of Culture and the Media are committed to the Initiative Musik to support up-and-coming German musicians in the fields of rock, pop and jazz. One of the Initiative Musik's funding programs is the APPLAUS award for the programming of independent venues. Awards are given to club operators and event organizers to promote music culture. You can find information on the application process here.
You can find a complete overview of all Initiative Musik funding here.
Funding from the German Music Council
The German Music Council supports artists with music competitions, music prizes, scholarships and awards through funding measures. It also offers social facilities for artists to provide supplementary pensions, relief funds and honorary salaries for those affected. Pension schemes and funds include the Künstlersozialkasse (KSK) and the GEMA-Sozialkasse.
Private sponsorship
Of course, you can also look for private sponsorship from companies or business angels, for example.
What do you need for an application?
You usually need the following information for an application:
- A description of your project (CD release, music video, concert, etc). The more information you have about it, the better. Also outline your distribution and marketing strategies. The more publicity you can generate with your release, the more likely it is that the funding body will be interested.
- Budget breakdown: Many funding bodies require a detailed breakdown of your income and expenditure (funding, CD sales, concerts, etc.). The list should show that your project cannot be realized without funding. Therefore, always keep all invoices in order to have proof.
- Artist or band biography: What have been your successes to date? Have you had collaborations with other (well-known) artists?
You can obtain the exact details and information you need to submit for the application directly from the funding agency.