Live Music Funding

In post-pandemic times, many live music venues and organizers are increasingly focusing on established musicians. Concert formats featuring newcomers, less popular, or experimental genres are at risk of being overshadowed. The newly launched Live500 funding program seeks to address this issue. It aims to secure the continuity of culturally diverse live music programs. Additionally, it seeks to support music venues and organizers in planning more diverse programs, thereby enabling greater cultural participation for artists underrepresented in live music. Moreover, Live500 endeavors to bolster both rural areas and regions that are culturally and structurally underdeveloped.

Key Points About the Funding Program:

• Small concerts and concert formats featuring newcomers, less popular, or experimental genres are supported.
• Eligible applicants include music clubs and music organizers. Music organizers are eligible only in Category 1.
• A maximum of 24 (Category 1) or 12 (Category 2) concerts can be applied for, with a maximum funding amount of 12,000 EUR.
• In Category 1, the funding amount per concert is 500 EUR: 250 EUR as an artist grant, 250 EUR as a grant to the music club or organizing company.
• In Category 2, the funding amount per concert is 1,000 EUR: 500 EUR as an artist grant, 500 EUR as a grant to the music club.
• The funds are distributed according to a regional quota to various federal states to ensure that structurally weaker regions are not disadvantaged in the process.
• The funded concerts can take place until September 30, 2024.

Example (application):

• Example application for music venues (in German)
• Example application for music organisers (in German)

Templates & information (project implementation):

• Information sheet for funding recipients (in German)
• Fee confirmation template (in German)
• Fee confirmation template (in English)

Important information:

• Fact sheet on subsidy-relevant facts (in German)

The Festival Funding introduces, for the first time at the federal level, a structured funding initiative for festivals in the field of popular music and jazz. The goal of the funding program is to support the culturally significant work of festivals and preserve and promote their artistic diversity. Festivals can submit applications for funding through an open process. Each grant focuses on implementing and expanding qualitative and socioculturally significant aspects, including diversity, ecological sustainability, and talent development. The program is specifically designed for small and medium-sized festivals; at least 80% of approved projects should be conducted by festivals with a maximum of 15,000 attendees. However, large, well-established festivals with distinct qualitative focuses can also apply to this program.

Key Points About the Funding Program:

• Eligible applicants are organizers of music festivals (including free and open-air festivals) in the field of popular music and jazz with national significance.
• No first-come, first-served basis: Funding decisions are made by an independent expert jury.
• The maximum funding amount is 50,000 EUR.
• Project expenses must be at least 10,000 EUR and can range up to 500,000 EUR.
• Festivals with up to 15,000 attendees can apply for funding for the entire festival.
• Festivals with more than 15,000 attendees can apply for funding for a specific project.
• The project period starts no earlier than the date of application and ends on December 31, 2024.

Templates and information (application):

• Funding calculator (in German)
• Expenses and financing plan template (in German)
• Application instructions (in German)

Example (application):

• Example application (in German)
• Example Expenses and financing plan (in German)