Initiatives of theHamburg Kreativ Gesellschaft
Federal, state and institutional funding supports Hamburg's creative professionals in all sectors. The monthly article provides a compact overview of the current funding programmes with all the important information and deadlines.
In August, there are exciting opportunities for creatives from across disciplines, as well as from the fields of music and literature.
If you are looking for further funding, take a look at our funding finder. Are you looking for a space for temporary use? Then find out more about our Frei_Fläche programme. The funding programme arranges spaces for creative interim use here in Hamburg.
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For Batch #6 of the incubator, Wavelab is looking for innovative music, arts & media start-ups with a tech focus. We are looking for diverse teams of two or more people with a clear target group, a tangible prototype and a scalable, fundable idea. Prerequisites are a focus on the start-up during the programme and participation in three weeks of attendance in Munich - local residence is not required. The application deadline is 15.09.2025. Find out more
Workspace funding from nextMedia.Hamburg is aimed at start-ups and media makers and enables the free use of workspaces and meeting and workshop rooms at SPACE in the Speicherstadt historical warehouse district. The funding covers a period of six months. Applications can be submitted at any time. Learn more
Creative ideas are being sought for pilot projects that will help to make Hamburg's city centre more lively and diverse in the future. The aim of the programme is to develop concepts for the future of Hamburg's city centre and to implement initial pilot projects, prototypes and models. The programme is open to creative individuals as well as associations and institutions. The funding amounts to up to 2,500 euros. Applications can be submitted at any time. Find out more
The Ministry of Culture and Media of the Hanseatic City of Hamburg supports artistic projects focussing on the exchange between Hamburg and foreign countries within the framework of the "International Cultural Exchange" department and would like to give Hamburg's cultural and creative scene the opportunity to present itself and network internationally. Projects can be submitted all year round, but at least two months before the start of the project. Learn more
The Hamburgische Kulturstiftung supports art and cultural projects by up-and-coming artists in the fields of visual arts, performing arts, music, literature, film, photography and interdisciplinary as well as children's and youth culture projects. For example, performances, (music) theatre performances, exhibitions, concert series or festivals are supported. The maximum funding amount is 15,000 euros. Projects can be submitted all year round. Find out more
Hamburg Pride e.V. offers project funding. Anyone with project ideas that pursue the same goals as Hamburg Pride e.V. can apply. This includes, for example, the reduction of existing prejudices against the queer community or the (solidarity) support of victims of anti-homosexual violence. Applications can be submitted at any time. Application deadline: ongoing. Find out more
We are looking for a convincing artistic concept idea on the theme of friendship and cohesion. Artists from the Hamburg metropolitan region with professional exhibition experience or a completed or ongoing art degree are eligible to take part - all forms of fine art are permitted. The winning idea will be honoured with prize money of €2,000. In addition, the Hanseatic City of Buxtehude will support the realisation with up to €10,000. A presentation of the project - for example in the form of an exhibition - is planned and a later purchase is not ruled out. The competition is sponsored by Sparkasse Harburg-Buxtehude and the cultural sponsors Sibylle Bruns-Decker and Michael Bruns. Applications can be submitted until 31 August 2025. Learn more
For over 17 years, the SAGA GWG Neighbourhood Foundation has been awarding a grant to neighbourhood artists who promote art and culture locally together with residents. The grant includes 1,500 euros per month, a free studio, a flat in the neighbourhood if required and up to 10,000 euros for production costs. The current project has been taking place in Hamburg-Dulsberg since 2022. As the current scholarship ends in November 2025, the search is now on for artists from Hamburg and the surrounding area for the next period. The closing date for applications is 31/08/2025. find out more
Note: A tour of Dulsberg will take place on 5 August (4 pm, meeting point Quartierskünstleratelier, Straßburger Straße 30). Registration is not required.
The Federal Ministry of Housing, Arts, Culture and Sport, together with the MAK - Museum of Applied Arts Vienna - is awarding six scholarships for 2026/2027 to four freelance artists and two architecture students (from the second stage of their studies) or graduates immediately after completing their studies. The residency will take place at the Mackey Apartments in Los Angeles. The focus is on experimental work at the interface between art and architecture. The practice-oriented programme includes co-design at Schindler House, cooperation with universities and exhibition activities. Applications can be submitted until 9 September 2025 . Learn more
The Uwe Lüders Trust Foundation of the Sparkassenstiftung Lüneburg supports visual artists, regardless of their financial and social situation and age, who are not yet established on the art market and are not yet successfully represented by other galleries or institutions. The scholarship holders receive a monthly grant for a period of three months. In addition, the scholarship grants a free stay in a studio flat in the city centre of Lüneburg. Attendance of at least six weeks is a prerequisite for participation. At the end of the scholarship, there is the opportunity to realise an exhibition in Lüneburg in cooperation with the Sparkassenstiftung Lüneburg. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis. Three to four scholarships are awarded each year. Find out more
The Sparkassen-Kulturstiftung Stormarn of Sparkasse Holstein is awarding one of three studios in the Atelierhaus Trittau from 1 January 2026. Studio no. 1 (approx. 26 square metres) will be allocated rent-free for three years; operating costs of €125 per month will be charged pro rata. Artists from Hamburg, Schleswig-Holstein and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern can apply. The studio house is located in the immediate vicinity of the Wassermühle Trittau cultural centre. It comprises a total of four studios, a shared foyer for exhibitions, a storage room, a pantry and sanitary facilities. The studios are equipped as workshops and are not intended for residential purposes. Artists undertake to regularly organise high-profile events and actively use the studio. Applications can be submitted until 31 August 2025. Learn more
Production funding supports independent artists and performing arts groups in Germany in realising innovative projects. The aim is to develop new forms of expression and to reflect social issues artistically. Productions in performance, drama, dance, music theatre, puppet and object theatre, theatre in public space and contemporary circus, among others, are supported. Premieres and further performances should be planned. Professional artists and groups in Germany can apply. The funding amount is between €15,000 and €50,000. Public co-financing of at least 50% is required. The application deadline is 15.09.2025 . Find out more
The Hamburg label promotion programme supports small, independent music companies based in Hamburg. The aim is to strengthen the creative work of local labels and promote the city's musical diversity. Funding is provided for releases in the areas of production, marketing and promotion. Funding is provided in the form of a grant of between 2,000 and 10,000 euros and requires a contribution of at least 50%. Applications are possible until 15 August 2025. Find out more
Together with the Haspa Music Foundation, RockCity lends high-quality instruments to Hamburg musicians free of charge. Whether stage piano, multi-oud, drums or vibraphone - interested musicians can apply independently with their desired instrument and concrete project ideas. Selected applicants will receive the desired instrument on loan for at least three years. Individuals of all nationalities whose main place of residence or work is in Hamburg can apply. Projects in the field of popular music are supported - this includes all genres except classical music, new music and jazz. RockCity examines crossover projects with the excluded genres individually. The application deadline is 29.08.2025. Learn more
As part of its project funding programme, Musikfonds e.V. supports outstanding projects in all areas of contemporary music. It addresses all areas and interdisciplinary approaches to new music, from contemporary modernism, jazz and all varieties of experimental rock and pop music, electronic, free and improvised music to audio installations and sound art. Eligible expenses include fees, personnel costs, event and production costs and travel and accommodation costs. Applications can be submitted from 1 September until 30 September 2025 . Find out more
Up to twice a month, 105 VIERTEL organises concerts together with young talents and up-and-coming bands at venues of their choice. These events offer musicians the opportunity to gain stage experience, expand their reach and attract new audiences. As a sponsor, 105 VIERTEL assumes the role of organiser as well as all costs for the venue, GEMA, Künstlersozialkasse (KSK) and applicable taxes. The programme is aimed at up-and-coming musicians from Hamburg. Applications can be submitted at any time via the 105 VIERTEL contact form. Learn more
For the first time, the LitLab is awarding the St. Pauli Literature Prize for unpublished texts on the topic: "St. Pauli - More than red light". We are looking for German-language short stories or novel excerpts (max. 5 standard pages) in which the neighbourhood plays a central role - original, preferably quirky, but free of clichés. The prize is "Das Goldene Fischbrötchen" and a reading at "Wohl oder Übel" on 11 December 2025. Texts can be submitted anonymously until 31 August 2025. Find out more
For the third time, the writers' room Hamburg is awarding two scholarships. The theme is: "I can't work like this" - any literary form is permitted, up to 5 manuscript pages (max. 9,000 characters). The scholarships include €1,000 each and a free annual membership in the writers' room. Authors residing in the HVV area of Hamburg are eligible to participate. The closing date for entries is 31 August 2025 and the award is expected to be made in October. Find out more
Der Deutsche Buchhandlungspreis zeichnet seit 2015 inhabergeführte Buchhandlungen in Deutschland aus, die ein literarisches Sortiment oder kulturelles Veranstaltungsprogramm anbieten, innovative Geschäftsmodelle verfolgen oder sich in der Lese- und Literaturförderung engagieren. Jährlich werden bis zu 118 Buchhandlungen prämiert. Die dotierten Gütesiegel werden in drei Kategorien vergeben: 7.000 Euro für bis zu 100 Buchhandlungen, 15.000 Euro für bis zu fünf herausragende Nominierte und 25.000 Euro für die drei besten Buchhandlungen. Unabhängige Buchhändler*innen können sich bis zum 01.09.2025 online bewerben. Mehr erfahren
The German Literature Fund awards working grants for the artistic development of professional German-language authors. The scholarships serve as an award and support specific literary work projects that demonstrate or promise above-average quality. The aim is to give authors a limited period of concentrated literary work without financial constraints. The funding amounts to 3,000 euros per month, with a maximum term of one year. Applications can be submitted until 30 September 2025. Find out more
The Ministry of Culture and Media promotes literary life in Hamburg and the work of Hamburg authors. The aim of the funding is to enable a diverse and ambitious literary life in our city, which offers Hamburg residents the opportunity to engage with literature and its current debates, creates spaces for discussion and encounters and facilitates working conditions for authors. Applicants can submit their applications throughout the year - up to two months before the start of each project.
Find out more.
The motto of the Social Design Award 2025 organised by SPIEGEL Wissen and BAUHAUS is "Our children, our future!". We are looking for innovative projects that help children and young people get off to a successful start in life - from tutoring and sports programmes to leisure clubs. Everything that falls under the term "social design" is in demand. Individuals and teams can take part. An audience prize and a jury prize will be awarded, each worth 2,500 euros. The closing date for applications is 31 August 2025 . find out more
Every year, the DDC AWARD 2025 honours outstanding design achievements and highlights the potential of design for economic, social and cultural transformation. The focus is on quality, vision and the courage to use design as a tool for change. Designers, entrepreneurs, agencies, developers, students, manufacturers and design-oriented start-ups can submit work created between 2023 and 2025 in German-speaking countries (Germany, Austria, Switzerland) by 15 September 2025. Find out more
The Federal Ministry of Housing, Arts, Culture and Sport, together with the MAK - Museum of Applied Arts Vienna - is awarding six scholarships for 2026/2027 to four freelance artists and two architecture students (from the second stage of their studies) or graduates immediately after completing their studies. The residency will take place at the Mackey Apartments in Los Angeles. The focus is on experimental work at the interface between art and architecture. The practice-oriented programme includes co-design at Schindler House, cooperation with universities and exhibition activities. Applications can be submitted until 9 September 2025 . Learn more
