The Workspace Programme of the Berlin Senate Department for Culture and Europe is the funding programme for providing and securing space for people working in the arts and culture in the state of Berlin.
Kultur Räume Berlin, represented by Kulturraum Berlin gGmbH, allocates funded spaces for the artistic work of Berlin's independent scene within the framework of the Workspace Programme (ARP).  
The Workspace Programme funds spaces for artistic work (i.e. dance spaces, project spaces, studios, music rehearsal spaces, writing offices and so on). Through the funding, artists from Berlin's independent scene are offered working spaces at subsidised rents that are far below the usual market prices.  
Please note: The Workspace Programme only funds spaces for rehearsals and production, not art and cultural projects and events. Information on funding for art and culture projects can be found at:  

• https://www.berlin.de/sen/kultur/foerderung/
• https://www.kulturprojekte.berlin/
• https://www.kreativkultur.berlin/de/forderfinder

How does the funding work?

The rent is subsidised within the framework of the Workspace Programme, i.e. it is offset by subsidies from the State of Berlin, so that the monthly rent to be paid by the artist is 4.09, 5.00 or €6.50/m² warm, depending on the discipline (plus a monthly flat rate for electricity).
The premises may only be used as rehearsal and production space and may not be used for workshops, castings, classes, counselling services or other commercial or profit-oriented events or activities.

I already have an artistic workspace, can it be funded?

At present, it is generally not possible to include existing working, rehearsal and project spaces in the Workspace Programme.

The offer is exclusively aimed at professional, freelance artists who are currently residing in Berlin (Anmeldung).
If you would like to apply as a group that works together and has been in existence for at least one year, submit a joint application. It is important that one person is named as the contact person.

Art discipline specific criteria:

• Performing arts

Individual artists, groups, ensembles and collectives from the field of performing arts. Depending on the call for applications, applications from several individuals and/or groups who have joined forces to use the space together are also welcome.  

• Literature

Authors, literary translators, editors, groups of authors and collectives as well as independent publishing projects.
Independent publishers or other publishing projects may not have more than 3 employees and their annual turnover may not exceed 100,000 euros. Proof of this must be provided.  

• Music

Musicians, groups or ensembles and composers of all genres.  

• Dance

Individual artists, groups, ensembles and collectives from the field of dance. Depending on the call for applications, applications from several individuals and/or groups that have joined forces to share a space are also welcome.  

• Project spaces

Artistic project spaces as free, self-initiated places of presentation and production, as well as project initiatives without a spatial location from the field of visual arts.
Applications are open to artistic project spaces and initiatives that have their own publicly accessible programme and whose production, presentation and research are defined by the visual arts.
Legal entities and natural persons (individuals, associations, collectives, etc.) are eligible to apply.

You apply online via our web portal. Once you have found a suitable call for applications or spaces, you have two options:  

• register for a viewing appointment
• apply

First, you will be asked to register on the portal. Registration and use of the portal are free of charge. With your login, you will always have access to your application documents and can view the status of the application process.
To apply for a space, please complete the online form. The application can be saved temporarily at any time. In your application, you may have the option to apply for several spaces at the same time and indicate a prioritisation of the spaces for this purpose.
When your application is complete, click on "Send application". Please note the application deadline.

In your application you will present your artistic activity, e.g. via links to your website, details of previous public performances, prizes and/or scholarships. You will also be asked to submit the following documents:    

• Documentation/portfolio
• If applicable, association statutes/self-conception PDF file
• De-minimis declaration PDF form in the exposé of the advertisement for download.

Wheny applying for a project space, the following documents must also be submitted:  

• Presentation of the content-related space concept (outlining exhibitions/events incl. participation of third parties)// Description of the planned project.

Depending on the call for applications and the object, we offer either digital viewing appointments or on-site viewing appointments. However, registration is always required. You can register for a viewing appointment on the web portal.

After you have submitted your application, you will receive an automatic confirmation of receipt by e-mail with information on how to proceed.   I did not receive a confirmation e-mail Please check your spam folder. If you have not received an e-mail confirmation after a few minutes, please e-mail us at vergabe@kulturraeume.berlin or call us at: 030 3030 444-60. (monday-friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.)

What are the selection criteria?

For each discipline, a discipline-specific, independent jury decides who will be awarded the spaces. The jury decides according to certain criteria, which may vary depending on the call for applications and the discipline. The award criteria are communicated with the call for proposals.
These criteria for the allocation of artistic workspace are focused on  

• artistic professionalism
• Residence in Berlin (in the case of groups, the majority of the group must reside in Berlin)
• Presentation of the artistic activity or project
• Urgency of a working space/place due to work experience and future demand

How long does before a decision is made?

The decision on the awarding of artistic workspaces is made by the jury in a meeting. The meeting usually takes place 2-3 weeks after the application deadline. 

The spaces in the Workspace Programme (ARP) are allocated by independent, sector-specific advisory boards. The members are predominantly members of Berlin's professional independent art scene and have specialised knowledge of the respective sector and its regional and international artistic developments. The composition of the advisory board is determined in consultation with the organisations representing the interests of Berlin's independent art scene and the Senate Department for Culture and Social Cohesion. The following interest groups can currently submit proposals: Interessengemeinschaft Jazz Berlin e.V. (IG Jazz Berlin), initiative neue musik berlin e.V. (inm), Vereinigung Alte Musik Berlin e.V. (VAM Berlin), Zeitgenössisches Musiktheater Berlin e.V. (ZMB e.V.), Landesverband freie darstellende Künste Berlin e.V(LAFT Berlin ), Netzwerk freie Literaturszene Berlin e.V. (NFLB e.V.), Netzwerk freier Berliner Projekträume und -initiativen e.V., Zeitgenössischer Tanz Berlin e.V. (ZTB) as well as Musicboard Berlin and Music Pool Berlin.  

Advisory Board members are generally appointed for a period of two years (subsequent appointments are possible). They consist of at least three voting members and up to three representatives. Representatives will be appointed whenever the full member of the advisory board is unable to participate in the allocation process. Otherwise the same rules apply. The current composition of the advisory boards is as follows:

Please note that contacting members of the advisory board may result in being disqualified from submitting an application.

Performing Arts and Dance

• Akiles (Dance, proposed by ZTB)
• Barbara Friedrich (Dance, second appointment)
• Ludger Orlok (Dance, proposed by ZTB)
• Lena Ries (PA, proposed by LAFT Berlin)
• N.N. (PA, proposed by LAFT Berlin)
• N.N. (PA, proposed by LAFT Berlin)
• Gerd Hartmann (Interdisciplinary PA/ Dance, second appointment)
• Lina Gomez (Dance representative, proposed by ZTB)
• Lydia Ziemke (PA representative, proposed by LAFT Berlin)
• Matin Soofipour Omam (PA representative, proposed by LAFT Berlin)
• Ana Kavalis (Interdisciplinary PA/Dance representative)

Literature

• Doris Hermanns (Second appointment)
• Jake Schneider (Proposed by NFLB)
• Aurelie Maurin (Proposed by NFLB)
• Emma Braslavsky (Representative proposed by NFLB)
• N.N. (Replacement proposed by NFLB)
• N.N. (Replacement proposed by NFLB)

Music

• Silke Eberhard (Proposed by IG Jazz Berlin)
• Maximilian Ehrhardt (Proposed by VAM Berlin)
• Theo Nabicht (Proposed by inm)
• Andrea Goetzke (Proposed by Musicboard/ Music Pool)
• N.N. (Proposed by ZMB)
• N.N. (Proposed by IG Jazz Berlin)
• Magnus Schriefl (Representative proposed by IG Jazz Berlin)
• Cathi Aglibut (Represantative proposed by VAM Berlin)
• Daniela Gubatz (Represantative proposed by VAM Berlin)
• Dena Zarrin (Representative proposed by Musicboard/ Music Pool)
• Mareike Hube (Represantative proposed by Musicboard/ Music Pool)
• Patrick Klingenschmitt (Representative proposed by inm)
• N.N. (Represantative proposed by inm)
• Matthias Schönijahn (Represantative proposed by ZMB)
• N.N. (Representative proposed by ZMB)

Project spaces

• Ana Baumgart (Proposed by Netzwerk Projekträume)
• Choi Chan Sook (Proposed by Netzwerk Projekträume)
• N.N. (Proposed by Netzwerk Projekträume)
• Waltraud M. Weiland (Representative proposed by Netzwerk Projekträume)
• Gisela Wrede (Representative proposed by Netzwerk Projekträume)
• Anna-Lena Wenzel (Represantative proposed by Netzwerk Projekträume)

Information about the results of the call

After the selection process has been completed, all applicants will receive an e-mail informing them of the result of their application.

My/our application was successful, what happens now?

If the jury selected your application for an artistic workspace, you will be asked to upload proof of Berlin residency to the application portal in the short term. If you are applying as a group, the majority of the group must submit proof of Berlin residency. As valid proof, you can upload a copy of your registration certificate or, for example, a scan of the Berlin address in your identity card in your application account.

My/our application was unsucccessful, what now?

If your application was unsuccessful, you can participate again in the next suitable call. If you have any questions about the procedure or how to apply, please do not hesitate to contact us directly. We offer free individual consultation by phone or zoom:
Book a consultation

Tenancy Agreement (Mietvertrag)

If you are awarded a space in the Workspace Programme, you sign a fixed-term sublease agreement with a real estate service provider who administers the agreement and is the contact person for all matters relating to the agreement.
The tenancy agreements are usually concluded for four years or, in the case of project spaces, five years.
After confirmation, the real estate service provider will contact the selected applicants.

On subletting

Subletting is only possible with the prior written consent of Kulturraum Berlin gGmbH and the real estate service provider. If you would like to sublet your space, please contact Kulturraum Berlin gGmbH directly.

On extensions/reivew of the funding eligibility

Depending on the call for applications, it may be necessary to review the fulfilment of the funding criteria after 1.5-2 years. This ensures that the funded space is being used for its intended purpose.  
The review is carried out by submitting appropriate proof (short documentation of artistic professionalism as a PDF file and declaration that the residence continues to be in Berlin).  If the review shows that you still meet the eligibility criteria, you can use the space for the remaining years of the period of use.   Unfortunately, an extension beyond this is not possible.

My tenancy agreement is expiring, can I reapply?

Yes, you are welcome to reapply, even if you have had a funded workspace in the past.
When the end of your rental period is approaching, you will receive a notification by e-mail from Kulturraum Berlin gGmbH so that you can prepare for the handover. You will receive all further information about the handover from the real estate service provider.
Unfortunately, the fixed-term rental agreement cannot be extended, but the space must be offered in a new call for applications again.   If you are still interested in the space, you can reapply for the space in the new call for applications.