Next Steps

Funding

Applications can only be submitted via the online application portal. Once an application has been started, it can be saved and edited until the deadline on 31 January 2025. Templates for the budget and self-declaration (which are mandatory) can be downloaded from the Downloads section, where you will also find the budget guidelines.

We are committed to making the application process as accessible as possible and would ask applicants with disabilities or learning difficulties to contact the Bureau Ritter team to discuss alternative ways of applying.

Successful projects will be fully funded up to the maximum grant amount. Co-financing is desirable, but not obligatory.

  • The following costs are eligible, provided they are directly related to the project:

    • Personnel costs, fees, social security contributions (KSK)
    • Rental costs for rehearsal and/or work spaces
    • Costs for advertising, public relations and fundraising
    • Direct costs: equipment hire, furnishing for rehearsal and office spaces (no construction work unless it is to make spaces more accessible), technical costs, props and costumes, research materials etc.
    • Travel costs, transport, accommodation and subsistence
    • Other costs such as clearing of music or performance rights (GEMA), or project-related insurance

  • An independent jury of experts will decide which projects are selected for funding. The assessment criteria include the following:

    • The quality and feasibility of the submitted proposal
    • The submitted proposal’s expected impact on the applicant’s artistic and structural development, or on the consolidation of their previous work
    • The quality of the applicant’s regional, national or international network, and their collaborations with other artists
    • The project’s contribution to improving working conditions for dance practitioners in Hesse
    • The project’s contribution to expanding the diversity of cultural offerings for audiences in Hesse

To find out more about funding, please consult our FAQ.

Projects can apply under the following funding strands:

Funding strand A

  • What do we fund?

    • Projects that support the applicant’s artistic and structural development. The geographic focus of these projects should be Hesse. Projects may include, but are not limited to:

    • Research, productions, re-stagings, touring, residencies, professional development or qualifications
    • Measures to improve production conditions, such as renting rehearsal studios or work spaces
    • Measures to promote inclusion and improve accessibility
    • Activities that increase the visibility of the applicant’s artistic work, such as press and public relations, outreach and engagement

  • Who can apply?

    • Professional artists (regardless of their training), ensembles, collectives, festivals and recent graduates of accredited dance training institutions. The prerequisite is a registered office or place of residence (for natural persons) in Hesse.

  • How much can I apply for?

    • The minimum amount projects can apply for is €5,000 and the maximum amount is €25,000. The requested amount must be appropriate for the proposed project and its duration.

  • What are the deadlines for applying?

    • There will be two funding rounds:

    • Round 1

    • Call opens:

      18 November 2024

    • Application deadline:

      31 January 2025, 6 pm

    • Project start date:

      earliest 1 April 2025

    • Project end date:

      latest 31 March 2026


    • Round 2

    • Call opens:

      8 September 2025

    • Application deadline:

      31 October 2025, 6 pm

    • Project start date:

      earliest 1 January 2026

    • Project end date:

      latest 31 December 2026

Funding strand B

  • What do we fund?

    • Multi-year projects that address the entire dance scene and aim to include working conditions for dance practitioners in Hesse. The geographic focus of these projects should be Hesse. Projects may include, but are not limited to:

    • Residency programmes
    • Support for emerging talent
    • Regional, national and/or interdisciplinary collaborations
    • Touring
    • Adapting or repurposing rehearsal spaces and venues
    • Measures to promote inclusion and improve accessibility
    • Mentoring programmes
    • Networking and knowledge sharing
    • Marketing, press and public relations
    • Outreach and engagement

  • Who can apply?

    • Professional artists (regardless of their training), ensembles, collectives, festivals, venues and production houses or offices, as well as cooperative networks within the dance scene. The prerequisite is a registered office or place of residence (for natural persons) in Hesse.

  • How much can I apply for?

    • Projects can apply for up to €50,000 per calendar year (i.e. €100,000 per project). The requested amount must be appropriate for the proposed project and its duration.

  • What are the deadlines for applying?

    • There will be one funding round in strand B:

    • Round 1

    • Call opens:

      18 November 2024

    • Application deadline:

      31 January 2025, 6 pm

    • Project start date:

      earliest 1 April 2025

    • Project end date:

      latest 31 December 2026