Live Music Funding

In the current tense economic situation, many live music venues and promoters are increasingly focusing on established musicians. Concert formats with newcomers, less popular or experimental genres run the risk of being pushed to the sidelines. The Live 500 funding programme focuses precisely on these low-threshold live music formats. It is intended to ensure the continued existence of the cultural diversity of live music programmes. It also aims to support music venues and promoters in planning more diverse programmes and improving fees for artists (including newcomers), thereby enabling greater cultural participation for artists and audiences alike. Another funding objective is to strengthen rural and culturally weaker regions through the Live 500 programme.

Important documents and templates

The documents for Live 500 – 2nd round (2024/2025) will be made available shortly. All documents for the 1st round (2023/2024) can be found on our general Downloads page.

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)

Templates and information (project implementation):

• Information sheet for funding recipients (last update 07.06.2024, in German)
• Time sheet (in German)
• Funding calls instruction (in German)

Example (application):

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

Small and medium-sized music clubs are not always in a position to cover their investment requirements from their own financial resources due to a lower return on sales. The newly launched ‘PlugIn’ funding programme aims to address this and support the improvement of their technical equipment in various areas.

The most important facts about the funding programme:

• Eligible applicants are music clubs with a maximum visitor capacity of 2,000 unseated places.
• The programme supports the purchase of new or used technical equipment and the installation of performance-related elements. Repair measures are also eligible for the first time through this programme.
• The maximum funding amount is EUR 15,000.
• The own contribution is degressive and depends on the total expenditure. The higher the total expenditure, the higher the own contribution.
• Funding is awarded on a first come, first served basis.
• The funds are distributed to the various federal states according to a regional quota so that structurally weaker regions are not disadvantaged in the process.
• Funding projects can be implemented until 31 December 2024.

Templates (application):

• Application template (in German)
• Template tasks and financing plan, funding calculator (in German)

Templates & information (project implementation):

• Time sheet (in German) 

Relevant information:

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