Dear members, dear friends of the independent performing arts,
Today marks the launch of our campaign #Kunst braucht Raum. It responds to a development that directly affects many of you: working spaces are becoming scarcer, funding structures more uncertain, and with that, the fundamental conditions for artistic practice are coming under increasing pressure.
With this campaign, we want to bring exactly this situation into focus. Art does not emerge independently of its production conditions — it relies on concrete spaces, time resources, and reliable infrastructure. Especially in times of strained public budgets, it is important to make visible that further cuts do not only affect individual projects, but weaken the long-term working capacity of the independent scene as a whole.
At the same time, the campaign builds on developments of recent years: instruments such as the rehearsal space fund have been important steps toward addressing the structural needs of the independent performing arts. This makes it all the more crucial to secure and further develop these initiatives within the upcoming 2027/28 double budget. This particularly includes establishing the rehearsal space fund on a permanent basis.
Alongside these structural and cultural policy issues, the art itself remains at the centre of attention: From June 4–7, 2026, Fringify – Independent Arts Festival Hamburg, one of Hamburg’s key festival formats for the independent performing arts, will take place. The 12th edition carries the theme #acutestate and reflects on a situation in which “spaces are shrinking, resources dwindling, and continuities breaking apart.” In addition to numerous productions, the festival offers the opportunity to experience current artistic works, encounter diverse perspectives, and engage with the richness of the scene. Two of the productions presented this year have been supported through the current diffusion funding programme: Clarice: Das Andere Sprechen by Analy Nágila and Oh Europa! Dangerous Games by TÒ SU.
Beyond the artistic programme, the festival also creates space for exchange, critical reflection, and encounters — for example through the “Café der Fördermöglichkeiten 2026” organised by the DfdK in cooperation with Fringify. The format offers insights into current funding programmes and facilitates conversations with funding bodies. With the joint event “Jurys in den freien darstellenden Künsten: Entscheidungsmacht und Perspektiven” the LAFT Berlin, the DfdK, and Fringify address the widely discussed topic of jury work and open up conversations around decision-making processes and transparency.
We would also like to invite you to our upcoming workshop “Nonviolent Communication in Working and Rehearsal Contexts” with Meredith Nicoll on May 21, 2026, from 10 am to 2 pm. On the same day, from 6 pm to 8 pm, an information event on the new concept for the successor festival to Fringify will take place in the foyer of HoheLuftschiff Kindertheater & Theater Zeppelin Ensembles (Kaiser-Friedrich-Ufer 27, 20253 Hamburg). The event is aimed particularly at Hamburg-based independent theatre makers and offers space for information, exchange, and new perspectives.
Applications for the Tanzraumförderung programme are still open until May 24, 2026. The programme supports independent dance artists by providing continuous rehearsal opportunities in Hamburg studios. Apply now!
Looking toward international perspectives, we would also like to draw your attention to another upcoming event: On May 29, from 2 pm to 7 pm, the first International Artist Day will take place in Hamburg — initiated by the INTRO programme in cooperation with the Intercultural Forum and the DfdK at the F-Pavillon. The event is aimed at artists who have left their countries of origin and are continuing or rebuilding their artistic practice in Hamburg. It will address practical questions while also creating space for exchange and visibility.
Let us use these occasions to connect with one another and continue advancing the issues that matter to us.
P.S.: If you are currently looking for rehearsal spaces, you might want to check out Gustav Kunst — there are currently still spaces available.
Warm regards,
Your DfdK Board & NWB
Dear members, dear friends of the independent performing arts,
Today marks the launch of our campaign #Kunst braucht Raum. It responds to a development that directly affects many of you: working spaces are becoming scarcer, funding structures more uncertain, and with that, the fundamental conditions for artistic practice are coming under increasing pressure.
With this campaign, we want to bring exactly this situation into focus. Art does not emerge independently of its production conditions — it relies on concrete spaces, time resources, and reliable infrastructure. Especially in times of strained public budgets, it is important to make visible that further cuts do not only affect individual projects, but weaken the long-term working capacity of the independent scene as a whole.
At the same time, the campaign builds on developments of recent years: instruments such as the rehearsal space fund have been important steps toward addressing the structural needs of the independent performing arts. This makes it all the more crucial to secure and further develop these initiatives within the upcoming 2027/28 double budget. This particularly includes establishing the rehearsal space fund on a permanent basis.
Alongside these structural and cultural policy issues, the art itself remains at the centre of attention: From June 4–7, 2026, Fringify – Independent Arts Festival Hamburg, one of Hamburg’s key festival formats for the independent performing arts, will take place. The 12th edition carries the theme #acutestate and reflects on a situation in which “spaces are shrinking, resources dwindling, and continuities breaking apart.” In addition to numerous productions, the festival offers the opportunity to experience current artistic works, encounter diverse perspectives, and engage with the richness of the scene. Two of the productions presented this year have been supported through the current diffusion funding programme: Clarice: Das Andere Sprechen by Analy Nágila and Oh Europa! Dangerous Games by TÒ SU.
Beyond the artistic programme, the festival also creates space for exchange, critical reflection, and encounters — for example through the “Café der Fördermöglichkeiten 2026” organised by the DfdK in cooperation with Fringify. The format offers insights into current funding programmes and facilitates conversations with funding bodies. With the joint event “Jurys in den freien darstellenden Künsten: Entscheidungsmacht und Perspektiven” the LAFT Berlin, the DfdK, and Fringify address the widely discussed topic of jury work and open up conversations around decision-making processes and transparency.
We would also like to invite you to our upcoming workshop “Nonviolent Communication in Working and Rehearsal Contexts” with Meredith Nicoll on May 21, 2026, from 10 am to 2 pm. On the same day, from 6 pm to 8 pm, an information event on the new concept for the successor festival to Fringify will take place in the foyer of HoheLuftschiff Kindertheater & Theater Zeppelin Ensembles (Kaiser-Friedrich-Ufer 27, 20253 Hamburg). The event is aimed particularly at Hamburg-based independent theatre makers and offers space for information, exchange, and new perspectives.
Applications for the Tanzraumförderung programme are still open until May 24, 2026. The programme supports independent dance artists by providing continuous rehearsal opportunities in Hamburg studios. Apply now!
Looking toward international perspectives, we would also like to draw your attention to another upcoming event: On May 29, from 2 pm to 7 pm, the first International Artist Day will take place in Hamburg — initiated by the INTRO programme in cooperation with the Intercultural Forum and the DfdK at the F-Pavillon. The event is aimed at artists who have left their countries of origin and are continuing or rebuilding their artistic practice in Hamburg. It will address practical questions while also creating space for exchange and visibility.
Let us use these occasions to connect with one another and continue advancing the issues that matter to us.
P.S.: If you are currently looking for rehearsal spaces, you might want to check out Gustav Kunst — there are currently still spaces available.
Warm regards,
Your DfdK Board & NWB