Funding and resources

Funding and residency programmes

In Germany, there are a number of residency and funding programmes that are either explicitly advertised for artists with disabilities or that offer barrier-free conditions and support structures. Furthermore, the touring artists funding database contains details of numerous programmes that support artists and cultural professionals who are active internationally (travelling from/to Germany).

Un-Label – Performing Arts Company

  • target group: artists with and without disabilities, primarily in the fields of dance, theatre and performance.
  • services: further training, including productions, residencies, networking events, consulting services.

Kultur macht stark – Bündnisse für Bildung

  • target group: children and young people with limited access to cultural education, including those with disabilities.
  • services: project funding, especially for workshops and creative educational work.

Aktion Mensch – Projektförderung Kultur & Freizeit

  • target group: people with disabilities (and organisations) who wish to demand accessibility.
  • services: funding for equipment, fees, barrier-free implementation.

Programme for Inclusive Artistic Practice (PIK)

  • target group: disabled artists and culture professionals
  • services: mentoring, networking, counselling services

Making a difference

  • target group: disabled artists and culture professionals, organisations

ACCESS

  • target group: disabled artists and culture professionals
  • services: support for online applications

When submitting applications, it is important to clearly state any additional requirements due to a disability (e.g. special accommodation, interpreting services, adapted transport). It is advisable to clarify whether the organisers will cover the costs of assistance or if support is available from integration offices, foundations or mobility budgets. In some cases, residency programmes may also cover costs.
 

Advisory services/networks and peer support

There are a number of advisory centres in Germany that cater to disabled artists or address aspects of inclusion, accessibility and equal opportunities within the cultural sector.

Servicestelle Inklusion im Kulturbereich
Advice, training and materials on inclusive cultural work for culture professionals, associations and institutions in Saxony.

Diversity Arts Culture
Concept development and advisory centre for diversity development in the cultural sector (mentoring programmes, workshops, encyclopaedia, facts and figures).

Federal Anti-Discrimination Agency
Free advice on discrimination (including disability in the cultural sector). Initial legal advice and referral to specialist agencies..

Sozialverband VdK
Information about disability: care allowance, assistance, severely disabled person's pass, social benefits; support when legal advice is needed for people with disabilities.

Sozialverband Deutschland
Assistance with applications for participation benefits.

Initiative barrierefrei feiern / Wir Kümmern Uns (WKU)
Berlin initiative for inclusion in the club and event scene: advice, workshops, training courses, lectures, etc.

Berliner Register
The registration offices document incidents motivated by racism, anti-Semitism, extreme right-wing ideology, anti-Muslim sentiment, hostility towards LGBTIQ people, trivialisation of National Socialism, hostility towards people with disabilities etc. that occur in Berlin's boroughs.

Berlin State Office for Equal Treatment and Against Discrimination
The Berlin State Anti-Discrimination Agency and the LADG Ombudsman's Office provide assistance and advice in cases of discrimination.

akse aktiv und selbstbestimmt e.V.
Advice on issues relating to the participation of people with disabilities, e.g. on non-clinical intensive care, assistance services, severely disabled person's pass, participation in working life.

Anti-Discrimination Consultation, Diversty Arts Culture
The anti-discrimination counselling service is aimed at freelance and employed artists and cultural workers from all disciplines who live and/or work in Berlin and experience discrimination.

Bezirksbeauftragte in Berlin für Menschen mit Behinderung
Contact persons for associations, initiatives and other organisations dealing with issues relating to the living conditions of disabled people.

Ergänzende unabhängige Teilhabeberatung (EUTB)
The Ergänzende unabhängige Teilhabeberatung (EUTB) provides support in matters relating to participation, e.g. with regard to assistance, aids or the participation plan.

Landesvereinigung Selbsthilfe Berlin e.V.
Contact point for people who feel discriminated against on the basis of their age or disability.

Lebenshilfe Berlin
Self-help association, parents' association, professional association and umbrella organisation for people with disabilities and their families.

MINA Leben in Vielfalt
Support for people with disabilities and from migrant backgrounds.

Netzwerk behinderter Frauen Berlin e.V.
Peer counselling, psychosocial counselling by telephone, in person and by email.

Unerhört e.V.
Peer counseling, integration.


Resources

Umsetzungsbegleitung Bundesteilhabegesetz (support for implementation of the Federal Participation Act, in German language)

Search for disabled-friendly addresses throughout Germany (in German language)

Reisen für alle: search for accommodation, restaurants and other accessible services throughout Germany (in German language)

Travel expense accounting according to the Federal Travel Expenses Act (BRKG) – in German, with German sign language (DGS)

Migration und Behinderung: Eine Broschüre des Paritätischen Wohlfahrtsverbandes Niedersachsen (in German language)

Cultural Mobility Flows: The International Mobility of Disabled Artists and Culture Professional (On The Move)

Seminar report “Change in Perspective: Inclusion in the Visual Arts" (in German language, some parts in English)

Disabled artists in the mainstream: a new cultural agenda for Europe’ (Europe Beyond Access, British Council, Holland Dance Festival)

Fair cultural promotion: equal opportunities and educational equity for cultural actors and users with disabilities in and through cultural promotion measures (Un-Label)

Creability - creative and artistic tools for inclusive cultural work (Un-Label, information in German language)

Arts Impact – online gallery for inclusive art and culture from German-speaking countries (Un-Label)

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