Choose the right consultation offer for you:
During our monthly two-hour info session „Basic Knowledge: Orientation in the funding landscape“ you will get an overview of district, state, national, and international funding opportunities, an insight into the inner workings and logics behind funding as well as into other advisory structures.
If you are looking for a residency program or have a concrete project idea or research project and need funding for it, we will advise you during one of our funding consultations. We will show you which funding is suitable for your project, work on developing funding strategies together, and answer questions about each program‘s respective application process. If you already have an initial project outline and a cost and financing plan, you are welcome to send these documents along when booking your appointment.
Do you already have a first draft application that you would like to submit to a specific sponsor? If so, we can offer you a "proposal check", during which we check the application for compliance with formal criteria set out by the sponsor, for stringency and comprehensibility and, if necessary, make suggestions on how to optimize it. In order for us to perform a proposal check we need the relevant documents at least two weeks in advance:
- detailed project description
- cost and financing plan
- (artistic) curriculum vitae of all participants
During our open consultations, both more general and specific questions on self-employment, project implementation and on how to orient oneself in Berlin‘s independent art and culture scene are being answered.
In regular expert consultations, we connect you with professionals from various sectors and subject areas with expertise in topics that are particularly in demand, such as film, podcast or digitization. Sign up for our newsletter to find out about all new events!
When is crowdfunding worth looking into for your project? And what should you pay attention to when planning a campaign? We offer an initial crowdfunding consultation in which you can answer precisely these questions. We demonstrate the potential and the limits of crowdfunding, give you practical tips for realistic planning, and tell you where you can find more information and support in Berlin. The consultations will be held in German.
Cultural Funding Consultation
We offer free consultation appointments and information on how to secure funding for cultural projects for Berlin-based artists and cultural professionals of all disciplines, project initiators, associations and practitioners from Berlin‘s independent scene. Our consultation services include but are not limited to giving an overview of the funding landscape, offering advice on funding, checking applications, and providing open consultations for all questions that do not concern the acquisition of funding.
You can find further support and information on funding, e.g. tips on how to apply, in our
Our
For whom?
Artists and cultural professionals of all disciplines, project initiators, associations and practitioners from Berlin’s independent scene or any professional who would like to carry out a project in Berlin.
What?
Free advice on funding for cultural projects, search for grants and residency programs, tips on how to apply, proposal check, advice on issues relating to artistic independence, project development and implementation, search for partners and presentation venues, overview of further consultation services and support structures in Berlin.
Which consultation suits you best?
Orientation in the funding landscape
During our monthly two-hour info session „Basic Knowledge: Orientation in the funding landscape“ you will get an overview of district, state, national, and international funding opportunities, an insight into the inner workings and logics behind funding as well as into other advisory structures.
Funding consultation
If you are looking for a residency program or have a concrete project idea or research project and need funding for it, we will advise you during one of our funding consultations. We will show you which funding is suitable for your project, work on developing funding strategies together, and answer questions about each program‘s respective application process. If you already have an initial project outline and a cost and financing plan, you are welcome to send these documents along when booking your appointment.
Proposal checks
Do you already have a first draft application that you would like to submit to a specific sponsor? If so, we can offer you a "proposal check", during which we check the application for compliance with formal criteria set out by the sponsor, for stringency and comprehensibility and, if necessary, make suggestions on how to optimize it. In order for us to perform a proposal check we need the relevant documents at least two weeks in advance:
- detailed project description
- cost and financing plan
- (artistic) curriculum vitae of all participants
Open consultation
During our open consultations, both more general and specific questions on self-employment, project implementation and on how to orient oneself in Berlin‘s independent art and culture scene are being answered.
Our consultants
Ann-Kathrin Rudorf
Project Coordination Cultural Funding Consultation Service
Ann-Kathrin Rudorf joined Kreativ Kultur Berlin in 2021 as a consultant at the cultural funding consultation service. The future of the intermediary sector, the promotion of young artists, and the critical examination of working and production conditions are matters which lie close to the heart of the freelance curator, art mediator, and art manager. As early as during her art degree, Ann-Kathrin advised her fellow students on questions of cultural funding and continues to do so. She was also responsible for the International Studio Program of the city of Weimar, worked for the gallery EIGEN+ART in Berlin and got intimately acquainted with the surrounding area of Berlin by managing the municipal gallery of the city of Bernau.
Sabrina Apitz
Project Coordination Cultural Funding Consultation Service (on parental leave)
Sabrina Apitz joined Kreativ Kultur Berlin in 2019 as project coordinator for the cultural funding consultation service. Previously, she worked as co-lead of the Performing Arts Program's (PAP) Information, Consulting, and Qualification section, which works to professionalize, structurally strengthen, and improve the perception of the independent performing arts. She has also worked as a freelance project manager, curator and moderator of (inter-)national events - among others for the Berliner Gazette, Wikimedia Deutschland or Transmediale - and was a lecturer at the Zurich University of the Arts (ZHdK).
Maike Wetzel
Consultant Cultural Funding Consultation Service
Maike Wetzel has been a consultant at Kreativ Kultur Berlin for the cultural funding consultation service since 2022. Previously, she worked for more than ten years as a fundraiser in the arts and culture sector, acquiring funding at the EU, national and local levels. The range of projects covered almost all disciplines - from transnational music to digital platforms and cross-disciplinary festivals to the restoration of cultural monuments. She understands the applicant's perspective from her own experience, as she also works as a writer, screenwriter and playwright since studying directing at the Munich Film Academy.
Foto: © Marcelina Wellme
Karoline Stegemann
Consultant Cultural Funding Consultation Service
Karoline Stegemann has been working as a consultant at Kreativ Kultur Berlin since 2024. As a project initiator, director and actress, Karoline has worked as a practitioner in the performing arts across Germany and is therefore very familiar with the perspective of applicants. As an expert in the acquisition of funding, she has also worked for many years in institutional contexts, most recently at the Staatstheater Augsburg. As a freelance artist, she is primarily concerned with radio play and audio formats in public spaces (2024: Shortlist Hörspielsommer Leipzig). In addition to her work at Kreativ Kultur Berlin, this year she is curating the "wohn_komplex" festival in Halle-Neustadt, which she co-initiated. In 2024, she also founded the association "OST_format", which deals artistically with the consequences of the transformation of East Germany. She studied theater studies in Leipzig and performing arts in Frankfurt am Main and also completed further training as a screenwriter.
We are delighted to welcome Karoline Stegemann as our new colleague! She will be supporting the team of the cultural funding consultation service during Sabrina Apitz's parental leave, focusing on advice in the performing arts, art in public spaces, urban and interdisciplinary projects and cultural education.
Foto: © Marcelina Wellmer
Maren Wachowski
Assistance Cultural Funding Consultation Service
Maren Wachowski has been working as a project assistant for the cultural funding consultation service since November 2023. The cultural science graduates background is in the publishing industry and, after her apprenticeship as a media clerk in digital and print, she gained work experience in marketing and event planning. As an assistant for two music magazines, she acquired various insights into the music industry. Most recently, in her role as a dispatcher at a bookstore, she was responsible for the purchase of new publications. Even though it is no longer her main profession, her enthusiasm for literature - especially fiction - remains.
Foto: © Marcelina Wellmer
Other offers
Expert consultations
In regular expert consultations, we connect you with professionals from various sectors and subject areas with expertise in topics that are particularly in demand, such as film, podcast or digitization.
Sign up for our newsletter to find out about all new events!
Crowdfunding Consultation
When is crowdfunding worth looking into for your project? And what should you pay attention to when planning a campaign? We offer an initial crowdfunding consultation in which you can answer precisely these questions. We demonstrate the potential and the limits of crowdfunding, give you practical tips for realistic planning, and tell you where you can find more information and support in Berlin. The consultation will be held in German.
Do you have a question about our consultation services or want to submit a specific request?
Twelve questions about our consultation service:
01. Who is eligible for the service?
Regardless of whether you are a dancer, author, musician or dramaturge, or whether you work as a collective or as a solo artist: we advise artists and cultural professionals of all disciplines who are looking for (financial) support for their projects and plans. On the one hand, we offer our services to artists who would like to realize an artistic project in Berlin, regardless of its size or sponsorship. On the other hand, we support Berlin-based artists who would like to plan and realize cultural projects beyond the borders of Berlin.
02. What can I get advice on?
We offer four types of guidance:
(1) Orientation in the funding landscape
(2) Funding advice
(3) proposal checks and
(4) open consultations.
During our orientation session (1), we provide an overview of the funding landscape. During our funding consultation (2), we look at your project idea, recommend suitable funding options and answer all your questions about the application process. Within the scope of our proposal check (3) we check your application for its compliance with formal criteria, for stringency and comprehensibility and, if necessary, give suggestions on how to optimize it. In our open consultation (4), we answer both general and specific questions about artistic independence, project implementation, and on how to orient onself in Berlin‘s independent art and culture scene.
03. How much does a consultation cost?
Our consultation services are free of charge.
04. Where do the consultations take place?
To provide you with the best possible advice, consultations will take place either via email or online in the form of a video call, depending on your request.
05. How long does a consultation take?
Depending on your request, we will advise you via email or online in the form of a video call. Online consultations typically last 45 minutes.
06. Do I need to prepare something for the consultation appointment?
In preparation for your consultation, we recommend that you prepare a short oral project presentation and an update on your project’s current state of affairs. Also think about what questions you have and how you want us to support you. This will allow us to help you in a more targeted way.
07. Can I have multiple consultations?
The number of consultations per project depends on the size and complexity of the project. Please note that due to capacity we can assign a maximum of three consultation appointments per project.
08. How can I make an appointment for a consultation?
Through our website, you can request a consultation by filling out the appropriate form. For funding consultation, a project outline and a cost estimate or a draft of the cost and finance plan should already be available. We can only conduct an proposal check if a completed draft of the application for the respective funder is already available. In our open consultations, we answer general as well as specific questions about artistic self-employment, project implementation, and navigating the independent arts and culture scene in Berlin. If you would like a general introduction to cultural funding, you can register for the seminar "Basics: Orientation in the funding landscape" through our event calendar. The more information we have about your project, the better we can support you. All information regarding your project will, of course, be treated confidentially. We will get back to you as soon as possible. Depending on the scope of your request, we will advise you via email or in a video call.
09. How long do I have to wait for a consultation appointment?
Depending on how many requests we receive, the waiting time for a consultation appointment is between two and six weeks. Please keep this in mind when applying to funding programs with fast-approaching deadlines. In the meantime, please consult our
10. How can I inform myself about funding opportunities etc. in advance?
In our
11. In which languages can I get advice?
German and English
12. What are the limits to what you can provide?
We do not award grants ourselves. - But we do our best to help you apply for grants.
We don't know everything. - But we will do our best to answer your questions.
We are not experts for all cultural sectors. - But we do work closely with other Berlin-based consultation centers and can point you into the right direction.
We can't guarantee that you will receive funding after a consultation with us. - But we try our best to increase your chances.
Important: We do not offer legally binding tax or legal advice!