Art
Making the extraordinary possible
The joys of experimentation and adventurousness guide our work in the artistic field. In order to strengthen the voice of artists in society, we support contemporary projects of all kinds.
We place a particular focus on projects that transcend borders. By this we mean projects that surmount the boundaries which divide individual artistic genres or separate art from other disciplines. On the other hand, we also support initiatives that question the relationship between audience and art in a new way, or that network and foster exchange among artistic agents.
Individual artists and non-profit organisations alike are eligible to apply. We support both established artists and young talent. With our Fleetstreet Residency, we also provide support specifically for young artists. In addition to regular funding, we also support major artistic projects with international appeal – we actively approach potential funding partners in this regard.
Important note on the application process
The Rudolf Augstein Foundation will no longer be realising open calls for art funding until further notice.
In recent years, we have seen a steady increase in the volume of applications. In the last call, we received over 500 applications. As a result, our funding rate fell below ten per cent in 2024. As a result, the number of high-quality submissions and the number of funded projects are no longer in good proportion to each other.
We are therefore strategically realigning our art funding. As soon as this process is complete, we will communicate the results here and via our newsletter. Please refrain from submitting applications until then.
Our mentoring programme re:balance and our cooperation with the Fleetstreet residency are not affected by this realignment.
Gender equality and diversity
We are committed to equal opportunities and want to fight discrimination against women and gender minorities in the arts. An intersectional perspective is important to us in this regard.
For our funding practices, this means:
- We pay attention to gender equality when distributing our funding.
- We award grants for childcare and/or travel and accommodation costs for accompanying children.
- If an awardee becomes pregnant or faces care responsibilities and consequently has to postpone the project, we will maintain our funding commitment as a matter of principle. Please inform us of any changes in your time plan.
- We regard the periods you spend giving child- or elder care as relevant career stages.
Fleetstreet Residency
Deadlines and information for application
Applying for a residency is possible once per year. The recent application deadline was in fall 2024. We will announce the next deadline in due course.
Please apply directly to the Fleetstreet Theater. There you will also find all information about the application.
Selected funding projects
© Andreas Beck Theatre
Art and Journalism
With Art and Journalism, Schauspiel Köln and CORRECTIV are creating a shared laboratory in which artistic perspectives and investigative research come together. The collaboration explores new forms of documentary theatre and opens up nuanced ways of engaging with societal issues.
Zum Projekt© Andrea Rossetti Visual Arts
German Pavilion at La Biennale di Venezia 2026
With “Ruin”, Sung Tieu and Henrike Naumann transform the German Pavilion at La Biennale di Venezia 2026 into a space where architecture, memory and social tensions intersect, making contemporary Germany tangible from different perspectives.
Zum Projekt© Isabel Machado Rios / Thalia Theater Theatre
“Umbrüche”
In the literary series “Umbrüche”, Deniz Utlu and Sasha Marianna Salzmann invite international and German-language authors to the Nachtasyl at Hamburg’s Thalia Theater. Together with the audience, they explore how literature can make social change visible and give it linguistic expression.
Zum Projekt© Jann Wilken Music, Audience Development
urban string
For many years, Ensemble Resonanz has demonstrated what innovative concert formats can look like in practice through its experimental series “urban string”, which brings together chamber music and club culture. The internationally renowned chamber orchestra combines outstanding artistic quality with a consistent commitment to developing new forms of performance.
Zum Projekt© Philip Montgomery Exhibition
Philip Montgomery – American Cycles
With American Cycles, PHOXXI presents the first major solo exhibition by Philip Montgomery in Europe. His photographs capture protest movements, everyday vulnerabilities and social tensions, forming a precise portrait of a United States in transition.
Zum Projekt© Georg Tedeschi Music, Audience Development
TONALi
Not just listening, but helping to shape the experience: at TONALi, young people, musicians and audiences work together to develop new concert formats. The initiative brings classical music into urban spaces, opens up new ways of engaging with it and creates opportunities for participation and connection.
Zum Projekt© Manuel Vason Conference
BURNING ISSUES
The BURNING ISSUES conference series advocates for more equitable and diverse structures in the theatre world.
Zum Projekt© Violetta Savchits Exhibition
Women on the Move – From Tradition to Action in Eastern Europe
The exhibition “Women on the Move” shows work by photographers from Eastern Europe who are documenting socio-political movements in their home countries and questioning traditional images of women.
Zum Projekt© Cade & MacAskill Performance
The Making of Pinocchio
In “The Making of Pinocchio”, artist duo Rosana Cade and Ivor MacAskill explore the question of who defines what is real in terms of gender and sex.
Zum Projekt
