PLUS – Mentoring & Coaching

Next Application Deadline 17 March 2025, 6:00 p.m.

CONTACT
Maureen Noe

maureen.noe@musicboard.berlin.de
T +49 (0)30 221 84 89 88

1 Overview

Are you planning a music project for 2025 and would like to be supported in your professional growth? Then apply now for the scholarship PLUS!

The scholarship PLUS, carried out in cooperation with Music Pool Berlin, offers all selected musicians individual mentoring and coaching sessions in addition to their scholarship, which supports them for eight months during their funded project. Through a combination of mentoring and coaching, Berlin musicians and bands will receive comprehensive support in implementing their projects and developing their careers. In addition, community events will create opportunities for collaboration, knowledge exchange and lasting connections among the musicians.

2 Content and Timeline

PLUS is an eight-month mentoring and coaching program whose content is specifically tailored to the needs and goals of musicians and bands. The programme consists of the following modules:

  • Needs assessment – May 2025
    At the beginning of the program, the current professional status and individual needs of the musicians are determined through an in-depth needs analysis. Participation in this one-hour individual meeting is mandatory and possible in person or online.
  • Six individual mentoring sessions – June–December 2025
    Each musician will be paired with a mentor from the expert networks of Musicboard and Music Pool Berlin. The six two-hour mentoring sessions provide long-term guidance and individualized support from experienced mentors from the Berlin music scene. Participation in the mentoring sessions is mandatory and will mainly take place in person. Some sessions may be held online, by agreement with the mentor.
  • Two individual coaching sessions – June–December 2025
    Each participant will also receive two individual coaching sessions with professional coaches from the expert pool of Music Pool Berlin. Coaching can assist with specific project-related goals that the mentors may not cover. Participation in the coaching sessions is optional and can be done if possible in person or online.
  • Three community events
    At three community events, participants can exchange ideas with other musicians and mentors to learn from each other and explore collaboration opportunities. The events will take place in person. Participation in the kick-off and closing events is mandatory. Another event will take place as part of the Pop-Kultur festival, here participation is optional.
    Kick-off event: 18 June 2025, 5 p.m.
    Event at Pop-Kultur festival: End of August 2025, exact date to follow
    Closing event: 26 November 2025, 5 p.m.

3 Conditions

Eligible applicants are solo musicians, duos and bands with their primary residence and creative base in Berlin. Applicants must be able to commit to the mandatory modules. Please note: Participation in PLUS is only granted in connection with receiving a Musicboard scholarship. Therefore, the same conditions and selection criteria apply to PLUS as to the scholarship. Additionally, the selection of participants will take into account their motivation, needs, and goals for the mentoring and coaching.

4 Application

The application for PLUS is exclusively part of the application for a scholarship, using the designated digital application form.

In the application section for PLUS, applicants must describe their motivation for participation in two paragraphs, either in German or English.

Applicants should explain why coaching is beneficial at this specific point in their career, which topic or area they would like to work on, and what they expect from the mentoring and coaching. Additionally, a self-assessment of the current challenges and key needs related to the applicant’s musical project and career is part of the application.

All information about the Musicboard scholarship and the application

5 Frequently Asked Questions

Here we have collected some frequently asked questions about the mentoring and coaching programme PLUS. This information is intended for general advice, is not legally binding, and does not replace consideration of each individual case. We will gladly answer further, detailed questions by phone or by email. Please read the FAQs and other explanatory notes on this website carefully before contacting us. We also recommend the free services of the Kulturförderberatung by Kreativ Kultur Berlin, which supports artists in all disciplines in their search for possible funding, can offer tips for preparing applications and can review applications.

What does coaching and mentoring mean, and what is the difference?
Mentoring is a long-term relationship in which an experienced mentor supports a musician or band (mentee) with advice and guidance in their personal and professional development. In the PLUS program, mentors will accompany musicians for eight months in six two-hour sessions. The focus of mentoring is on strategic project development and sustainable career planning.

Coaching, on the other hand, is more short-term and focuses on supporting musicians in solving specific challenges or improving particular skills. Musicians can use two flexible one-on-one coaching sessions with experienced coaches to address specific questions.

Together, mentoring and coaching in the PLUS program provide support for long-term strategic development as well as concrete, task-oriented knowledge transfer, with the aim of supporting artists individually and systematically in their career development.

What topics can mentoring and coaching cover?
The mentoring and coaching sessions can cover various professional topics depending on the artists’ needs, such as promotion & marketing, artist development, management, booking, label, publishing, music tech, contract design, or financial security. There may also be room for topics like networking, work-life balance, mental health, time and self-management, finding a productive workflow, or solving creative blockages.
Who are the mentors? Can I choose my own mentor?
The mentors are experienced music professionals with mentoring experience, some of whom are also active musicians. They come from the expert networks of Musicboard and Music Pool. The musicians are matched with the mentors based on the musicians’ profiles and the needs expressed in the initial assessment. It is not possible to submit personal suggestions for mentors.
What does a mentor-mentee relationship look like?
The relationship between mentor and mentee is individually organized by each pair for themselves. Both decide together when and where they would like to meet. There may be more intensive work phases or regular monthly meetings. Mentees are expected to show commitment and respect for the time of the mentors, who are very involved professionally. At the kick-off event for PLUS, basic guidelines for mentoring will be discussed. Additionally, mutual mentoring goals will be set at the beginning between the mentor and the mentee.
Can I only take part in the mentoring and coaching without receiving a scholarship?
As of now, the program in 2025 is only available in connection with a scholarship. Depending on the budget and available funds in the spring, some spots may be allocated to applicants who have not received a scholarship.
How much time do I need to plan for mentoring and coaching?
PLUS consists of mandatory and optional modules.
Mandatory modules are:

  • A one-hour needs assessment
  • Six two-hour mentoring sessions
  • Kick-off event: 18 June 2025, 5 p.m.
  • Closing event: 26 November 2025, 5 p.m.

Optional modules are:

  • Two two-hour coaching sessions
  • Event at Pop-Kultur Festival: End of August 2025, exact date to follow

Applicants must be able to commit to the mandatory modules and schedule time for coordinating appointments with their mentors, prepare and follow up on meetings, and work towards their individual mentoring goals.

Is PLUS accessible for people with disabilities?
The PLUS programme is intended to be accessible to everyone and as inclusive as possible. In the application, you can provide information on your accessibility and barrier-free needs in the »Accessibility« text field, which will be addressed in the needs assessment. If you have any further questions regarding accessibility, please feel free to contact Maureen Noe before applying: maureen.noe@musicboard.berlin.de.
Plus Community Event 2024 at House of Music, photo: Jana-Nita Raker
Plus Community Event 2024 at House of Music, photo: Jana-Nita Raker
Plus Community Event 2024 at House of Music, photo: Jana-Nita Raker