Fonds Darstellende Künste e.V.

What Fonds Darstellende Künste e.V. does

Fonds Darstellende Künste e.V. is a Berlin-based, federally funded nonprofit association (eingetragener Verein, founded 1985) that serves as Germany's primary federal funding body dedicated exclusively to the independent performing arts sector. The organization distributes grants from the Beauftragte der Bundesregierung für Kultur und Medien (BKM) to freelance artists, artist groups, production venues, and festivals across all genres of independent theater, dance, performance, puppet theater, contemporary circus, and music theater. Its funding portfolio spans production funding, residency funding, process funding, reopening funding, multi-year concept funding, and structural/network funding — most notably through the NEUSTART KULTUR package of ~€136 million disbursed via #TakeThat (€76M, 2020-21) and #TakeHeart (€60M, 2021-22) in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Beyond grant administration via its online FondsPortal, the organization operates a national platform of supporting activities: the annual BUNDESTREFFEN national conference (2025: 'THE SHOW MUST GO ON', 2026: 'DON'T STOP ME NOW'), the Tabori Preis and Theaterpreis des Bundes awards, the Bundesweite Artist Labs / B.A.L.L. laboratory initiative (~30 labs in 2022), a 12-sub-study research program conducted with 10 universities, and a slate of documentary film productions (DENNOCH!, BLICKWECHSEL, DIE KUNST VIELE ZU BLEIBEN). The 13-person staff is governed by a Vorstand of Amelie Deuflhard, Sabine Gehm, and Anne-Cathrin Lessel, with Holger Bergmann as Managing Director.

The business model is a pass-through public-funding structure with no commercial revenue: the organization receives appropriations from the BKM and reallocates them as grants according to funding guidelines. It supplements this with policy advocacy, sector convening, research publications, and commissioned films that document and promote the independent arts. Its distribution footprint spans all of Germany through a network of partner venues (Sophiensæle, HAU Hebbel am Ufer, Kampnagel, HELLERAU, FFT Düsseldorf, LOFFT, Hans Otto Theater, and others), festivals (Impulse Theater Festival, Kunstfest Weimar, PHOENIX Theaterfestival), and the umbrella association Bundesverband Freie Darstellende Künste.

Name

Fonds Darstellende Künste e.V.

Legal name

Fonds Darstellende Künste e.V.

Website

https://fonds-daku.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1985

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Fonds Darstellende Künste e.V. is a Berlin-based nonprofit arts funding organization, founded in 1985, that channels federal BKM funding to Germany's independent performing arts sector via grants, research, awards, and national events.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Arts Funding Services

NAICS

Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Grantmaking and Giving Services (8132), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Arts, Culture & Humanities Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAJ)

akta.pro secondary industry

Public Art, Arts Councils & Grantmaking Programs (BPAGAHAH)

Keywords

• Performing arts funding
• Arts grant programs
• Independent theater support
• Cultural policy advocacy
• Artist development programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Berlin

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Public Cultural Funding: The organization receives government funding from the Beauftragte der Bundesregierung für Kultur und Medien (BKM) and distributes it as grants to independent performing artists, groups, production venues, and festivals across Germany. It does not generate commercial revenue.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Fonds Darstellende Künste e.V. is a German nonprofit association that administers federal cultural grants on behalf of the Beauftragte der Bundesregierung für Kultur und Medien (BKM), distributing funding to independent performing artists, artist groups, production venues, and festivals across Germany. Its core offerings consist of funding programs (production funding, reopening funding, GLOBAL VILLAGE KIDS, #TakeThat, #TakeHeart) administered through the FondsPortal online application system, alongside awards (Tabori Preis, Theaterpreis des Bundes), national events (BUNDESTREFFEN), and consulting services.

Product overview

Fonds Darstellende Künste e.V. is a German arts funding organization that functions as a platform rather than a traditional product company. Its core offerings consist of funding programs (Produktionsförderung, GLOBAL VILLAGE KIDS, Wiederaufnahmeförderung, #TakeThat, #TakeHeart) administered through the FondsPortal online application system. Supporting services include the research program, awards (Tabori Preis, Theaterpreis des Bundes), events (BUNDESTREFFEN, Bundesweite Artist Labs), consulting services, a funding glossary, sustainability checklist, event calendar, and online magazine. The organization also produces documentary films documenting the independent performing arts sector and its research activities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• FondsPortal Online application and administration portal through which independent artists, groups, and organizations submit funding applications and manage their funded projects with the fund. Requires account registration for first-time users.
• Produktionsförderung (Production Funding) Funding program supporting artistic productions in the independent performing arts sector in Germany.
• GLOBAL VILLAGE KIDS Funding program with two streams — 'Ländlich' (Rural) for outdoor artistic activities in rural areas, and 'Digital' for artistic activities in digital space — supporting children's and youth engagement with performing arts.
• Wiederaufnahmeförderung (Reopening Funding) Funding program for reopening or resuming productions that were previously funded but interrupted or postponed.
• #TakeThat-Programm Emergency funding program under NEUSTART KULTUR (2020/21) consisting of eleven differentiated funding lines ranging from genre-specific production funding to residency grants for research. Total budget: €76 million from BKM.
• #TakeHeart-Programm Recovery funding program under NEUSTART KULTUR (2021/22) with six program lines: Research, Residency, Process, Reopening, Network and Structure, and Multi-year Concept Funding with pandemic-increased grant amounts. Total budget: €60 million from BKM.
• Forschungsprogramm (Research Program) Multi-year research program examining the mechanisms and potentials of cultural policy instruments, conducted in collaboration with scientists from ten universities across the German-speaking region, including twelve thematic sub-studies.
• Tabori Preis (George Tabori Prize) Prize awarded for outstanding achievements in the independent performing arts sector, recognizing artistic innovation and contributions to the field.
• Theaterpreis des Bundes (Federal Theater Prize) National theater prize recognizing excellence in the performing arts, awarded in cooperation with federal cultural funding.
• BUNDESTREFFEN Annual national gathering of the independent performing arts community, serving as a platform for exchange, discourse, and networking. Themes have included 2025 'THE SHOW MUST GO ON' and 2026 'DON'T STOP ME NOW'.
• Bundesweite Artist Labs (B.A.L.L.) Nationwide laboratory program supporting artistic research and experimentation across diverse genres including puppet theater, music theater, dance, performance, and contemporary circus; the 2022 edition was known as B.A.L.L. (Bundesweites Artist Labor der Labore) and supported approximately 30 labs.
• Beratungsangebote (Consulting Services) Advisory services provided to artists and organizations in the independent performing arts sector, including FAQ resources, cultural policy consulting, and direct communication with fund managers.

Quantifiable outcome

• 98% of funded recipients rated the funding process as good to very good; 95.7% said their questions were resolved after consultation.
• +2 more outcomes

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

AI capability2 records

Partnerships

22 partnerships are on record, tiered major, supporting and core.

• Goethe-InstitutmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Cooperation partner in the 'DIE KUNST, VIELE ZU BLEIBEN' (The Art of Staying Many) forums series, which traveled to 9 German cities in 2024. The Goethe-Institut supported the initiative as part of its international cultural promotion mission.
• Sophiensæle BerlinmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Host venue for the film premiere of 'DIE KUNST, VIELE ZU BLEIBEN' on March 12, 2025, coinciding with the organization's 40th anniversary celebration. Also a partner venue in the forum series.
• HAU Hebbel am Ufer BerlinmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Partner venue in the 'DIE KUNST, VIELE ZU BLEIBEN' forum series and host of the tour launch event in May 2024. Also venue for the 'DENNOCH!' film premiere in January 2023.
• HELLERAU – Europäisches Zentrum der Künste DresdenmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Partner venue in the forum series and screening location for 'DENNOCH!' film in 2023. A key venue for contemporary performing arts in Germany.
• Kampnagel HamburgmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Partner venue in the forum series (2024) and host of the 'DENNOCH!' screening in February 2023. One of Germany's leading venues for contemporary theater and performance.
• Impulse Theater FestivalmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Partner in the 'DIE KUNST, VIELE ZU BLEIBEN' forum series and a key festival for independent performing arts in the German-speaking world.
• Kunstfest WeimarmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Partner venue in the 2024 forum series, hosting events and performances as part of the multi-city 'DIE KUNST, VIELE ZU BLEIBEN' tour.
• fabrik PotsdamsupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Partner venue in the 'DIE KUNST, VIELE ZU BLEIBEN' forum series, hosting performances and discussions in Potsdam.
• FFT DüsseldorfsupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Partner venue in the forum series and host of 'DENNOCH!' screening in February 2023. A key independent theater venue in North Rhine-Westphalia.
• Hans Otto Theater PotsdamsupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Partner in the forum series, hosting events in Potsdam as part of the 'DIE KUNST, VIELE ZU BLEIBEN' program.
• LOFFT – DAS THEATER LeipzigsupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Partner venue in the forum series and host of 'DENNOCH!' screening in March 2023. The main independent theater venue in Leipzig.
• OSTEN Festival Bitterfeld-WolfensupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Partner in the forum series, hosting events in Bitterfeld-Wolfen. An emerging theater festival in Eastern Germany.
• PHOENIX Theaterfestival Erfurt / Plattenstufen-FestspielesupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Partner festival in the forum series, hosting events in Erfurt. Focuses on open-air performances engaging diverse audiences.
• Residenz Schauspiel LeipzigsupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Partner venue in the forum series, contributing to the program in Leipzig.
• Societaetstheater DresdensupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Partner venue in Dresden for the 'DIE KUNST, VIELE ZU BLEIBEN' forums.
• Zentralwerk e.V. DresdensupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Partner venue in Dresden for the forum series, representing the independent cultural scene in Dresden.
• Chamäleon BerlinsupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Partner venue in the 'DIE KUNST, VIELE ZU BLEIBEN' forums, hosting performances and events in Berlin.
• Zirkustheater Festival DresdensupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Partner in the Dresden program of the forum series, contributing circus theater programming.
• KULTUREXPERTEN Dr. Scheytt GmbHsupportingOthers · 1 January 2023Independent evaluation firm commissioned to evaluate the organization's NEUSTART KULTUR funding activities. Conducted internal process analysis and surveyed approximately 3,025 funded recipients.
• Artist Labs / Bundesweites Artist Labor der Labore (B.A.L.L.)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022A collaborative initiative of around 30 artist laboratories across Germany, funded and initiated by the organization in 2022. The labs covered diverse genres including puppet theater, music theater, dance, performance, and contemporary circus.
• EDUCULT WiensupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Research partner commissioned to conduct a sub-study on the work and funding of independent performing arts during COVID-19, as part of the organization's research program. EDUCULT is a research and project institute specializing in culture, education, and politics.
• Bundesverband Freie Darstellende KünstecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021The national association of independent performing arts in Germany, representing the interests of state associations and individual members. Partner in the research program study on COVID-19's impact on the independent arts sector.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Goethe-Institut: Germany's global cultural and language institute, a major strategic partner of Fonds Darstellende Künste in the 'DIE KUNST, VIELE ZU BLEIBEN' forum series. Operates at larger scale with international reach but shares the federal cultural promotion mandate.
• Allianz Kulturstiftung: European cultural foundation supporting arts, education, and heritage across multiple countries. Comparable grantmaking role but with a broader geographic and thematic scope, providing an alternative funding channel for performing arts projects.

Regional players

• Stiftung Niedersachsen: State-level cultural foundation in Lower Saxony supporting performing arts, music, and visual arts projects. Comparable grantmaking model at regional scale, but limited to a single German state.
• Senatsverwaltung für Kultur und Gemeinwesenarbeit Berlin: Berlin's state cultural administration funding independent performing arts across the city. Operates as a regional public funder with overlapping grantee base, providing complementary (and sometimes competing) funding to the federal layer.
• NRW KULTURsekretariat: State-level public funding body for arts and culture in North Rhine-Westphalia. Operates a comparable grantmaking model at regional scale, providing complementary funding to the federal layer where Fonds Darstellende Künste operates.

Direct peers

• Bundesverband Freie Darstellende Künste: National association representing independent performing arts in Germany and a core partner of Fonds Darstellende Künste. Operates as the policy/advocacy counterpart, with strong organizational overlap in member associations and shared research initiatives.
• Kulturelle Landespromotion / Fonds Soziokultur: Federal German foundation funding participatory cultural projects and soziokulturelle projects. Uses a comparable grantmaking model with federal funding and nationwide reach, but with a focus on cultural participation rather than independent performing arts specifically.
• Kulturstiftung des Bundes: Germany's federal cultural foundation with a nationwide mandate to fund innovative arts and cultural projects. Shares the same BKM funding lineage and grantmaking mission as Fonds Darstellende Künste, though covering a broader cultural portfolio.
• Stiftung Kunstfonds: German federal foundation providing direct grants to fine artists and artist groups. Directly comparable grantmaking model and BKM funding relationship, but focused on visual arts rather than performing arts.

Others

• Deutscher Bühnenverein: National trade association for German public theaters and performing arts institutions. Functions as an industry counterpart — representing municipal/state theaters and orchestras — and collaborates with the federal independent arts ecosystem on sector-wide policy.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/FondsDarstellendeKuenste
• Instagraminstagram.com/fondsdarstellendekuenste
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/fonds-darstellende-k%C3%BCnste-e.v.

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Fonds Darstellende Künste e.V.