Allocation of Funding: 1st Funding Round Musicboard Berlin GmbH 2023

Musicboard is pleased to support 30 innovative and diverse projects with a total volume of 556,006.00 euros in the Festival Funding programme as well as the first funding round of Karrieresprungbrett Berlin and Pop im Kiez in 2023. In addition, Musicboard, together with the Senate Department for Culture and Europe, has again decided to support the management of Rockhaus Berlin as well as to co-finance the projects Music Pool Berlin and the Clubcommission´s counselling services and club culture initiatives.

A total of 125 applications have been submitted, 29 more than in the previous application period. In making its selection, the jury once again placed great importance to projects that reflect the social and cultural diversity of Berlin’s music scene. In particular, applications were considered that are dedicated to the promotion of women, non-binary, queer people and BIPOC (Black, indigenous, people of colour) as well as those that focus on accessibility and inclusion. It is in the interest of Musicboard to support projects that perform important work in the area of promoting young talent in Berlin and enrich the scene with innovative ideas. Musicboard promotes projects that reflect the diversity of the city, but would not be feasible without financial support.

»Once again, we were impressed by the many exciting, courageous and important project ideas« the jury concludes. »In the selection process, we tried to strike a balance: What is the balance between new and established applicants? Which communities are being addressed? How do we ensure the broadest possible musical diversity? How do we strengthen initiatives for more inclusion? Believe us when we say that the decisions were not easy – unfortunately, the available funds are not nearly enough for all worthy projects. At the same time, we are pleased to be able to support some particularly strong projects. We are already looking forward to the next round of funding and encourage all – new and known applicants – to submit applications. Our heartfelt thanks and best wishes for the new year go to the countless, tireless players in Berlin’s music scene, to the House of Representatives and the Senate Department for Culture, and of course to the wonderful team at the Musicboard. Play it loud!«

The projects were recommended for funding by an independent jury responsible for the programmes Festival Funding, Karrieresprungbrett Berlin and Pop im Kiez since 2021. The jury consists of the Berlin pop experts Christoph Reimann (radio journalist Deutschlandfunk, Deutschlandfunk Kultur and ByteFM), Dahlia Borsche (musicologist and curator), Esra Karakaya (journalist and video producer), Gregor Hotz (managing director of Musikfonds e.V.), as well as Judyta Smykowski (journalist Die Neue Norm and taz).

KARRIERESPRUNGBRETT BERLIN

For the programme Karrieresprungbrett Berlin 43 applications were submitted, 17 more than in the previous period. The total volume of all applications amounted to 878,902.69 euros, with 150,801.00 euros being awarded to 11 projects.

POP IM KIEZ

For the programme Pop im Kiez 24 applications were submitted.  The total volume of all applications amounted to 542,927.20 euros, with 74,380.00 euros being awarded to five projects.

FESTIVAL FUNDING

For the programme Festival Funding 58 applications were submitted, 16 more than in the previous application period.  The total volume of all applications amounted to 1,604,929 euros, with 330,825.00 euros being awarded to 14 projects.

FURTHER FUNDED PROJECTS IN 2023

In addition to the projects recommended by the jury, Musicboard will fund the following projects and institutions in 2023: