Program
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Overview
In cooperation with HELLERAU, Musicboard Berlin is granting a residency of five weeks to a Berlin-based interdisciplinary pop musician or duo in fall 2026. The residency in HELLERAU (Dresden) offers an international, active-collaborative and interdisciplinary atmosphere. Beyond the work on own projects, HELLERAU’s internationally oriented residency programme offers its resident artists the opportunity to get in touch with the local scene as well as other resident artists working in the fields of contemporary dance, theatre, performance, music and media art. On site, the Musicboard resident is supported in the implementation of their project by an individual artist mentoring.
In 2026, the focus of the residency programme at HELLERAU is “Immersive Sounds”. The residency in HELLERAU is intended for artists of all pop music genres. Applications with an innovative approach, especially those exploring new spatial audio techniques, are strongly encouraged. With the term “pop music” Musicboard refers to all genres of popular music as well as cross-genre or experimental pop music that cannot be clearly assigned to the categories of jazz or classical and new music.
The Musicboard residency program intends to be accessible to everyone and as inclusive as possible. If you have questions about the accessibility and family-friendliness of this residency, please contact us before applying: residencies@musicboard.berlin.
Eligible to apply are:
- Solo musicians or duos who live and work in Berlin, who are officially registered with their primary residence in Berlin at the time of application and for the entire duration of the residency. For duos, at least one member must live and work in Berlin.
- Musicians that have their own musical material and work professionally. The residencies are awarded primarily on the basis of the quality of artistic work, the chances of success and the conclusiveness of the proposed project in relation to the artistic and professional development of the artist or duo.
- Musicians from all genres of pop music who stand out through particular creative achievements. With the term “pop music” Musicboard refers to all genres of popular music as well as cross-genre or experimental pop music that cannot be clearly assigned to the categories of jazz or classical and new music. Applications with an innovative approach, especially those exploring new spatial audio techniques, are strongly encouraged.
- Musicians with a high level of independence and personal initiative
- Musicians who are open to interdisciplinary exchange
- Musicians who reflect on their own social position and are critical of power imbalances and discrimination
Musicians who are citizens of a non-EU country can only apply if their passport contains a note from the State Office for Immigration authorising them to work independently.
Musicboard grants a resideny of five weeks at HELLERAU in the period from 5 October to 8 November 2026. The period is set, the residency cannot be shortened or postponed. Presence of the residents in Dresden during the residency period is required.
HELLERAU – European Centre for the Arts is an interdisciplinary co-production and guest performance house in Dresden. HELLERAU promotes debates on art and society with thematic focuses, festivals and audience formats. The objective of HELLERAU’s residency programme is to offer opportunities for artistic research in order to deepen and expand one’s own working methods as well as to develop new projects. In 2026, the focus of the residency programme is “Immersive Sounds”.
In HELLERAU the resident artist or duo is accommodated in a single apartment with shared kitchens. Various work studios and a large garden for rehearsals, experiments and training are available. Residents can receive technical support as needed. There is no permanent recording studio in the house and limited technical equipment is available. However, HELLERAU offers various rooms which can be equipped and used accordingly in consultation with the resident artists. During the residency, the artist is supported by mentors in the development of own projects and artistic careers and through access to relevant networks. In addition, the resident can expect a diverse programme on HELLERAU’s stage.
The Musicboard covers:
- The round-trip travel costs as well as costs for accommodation, rehearsal and project space, mentoring, technical support, provision of technical equipment and the entrance to HELLERAU performances
- Weekly stipend in the amount of 250 euros per person
- A singular contribution to project-related costs in the amount of 500 euros
- A child allowance of 219 euros per child and a supplement of 279 euros for an accompanying caregiver if the residency is taken up with a child
The following information and documents must be supplied, in German or in English, using exclusively the application tool that can be accessed via the button at the end of this page:
- General information about the artist
- Project proposal: motivation and presentation of the planned artistic project in the context of the residency
- Artistic profile: artistic resume and press information including a list of artistic milestones such as shows, productions, releases, collaborations, awards and grants
- Information on own funds, third-party funds, and other public funding
- Three music samples: to be uploaded as mp3s
- Scans of certificate of registration or personal ID (front and back)
indicating Berlin as place of residence - For non-EU citizens: Scan of passport and residence permit
including supplemental documentation of residence permit indicating duration of stay and authorised self-employment - Statistical information
In each round of funding, applicants may apply for more than one residency. In this case, separate applications must be submitted.
A sample view of the online application form is linked under “Forms and templates”. Applications can be saved and continued at a later date. Only fully completed documents can be considered. All applications will be handled confidentially and used exclusively for decision-making and funding purposes. Publication of certain relevant details is granted by the applicant as part of the application process.
The residencies are awarded through Musicboard Berlin GmbH upon recommendation of an independent jury of Berlin-based pop experts and in consultation with the Senate Department for Culture and Social Cohesion. Jury members are usually appointed for a period of three years. The following jury is appointed to the Scholarships & Residencies programme in 2026:
- Ebru "Ebow" Düzgün
Artist, label operator, manager and event organiser - Marit Posch
Strategist and consultant - Melanie Gollin
Music journalist - Peer Steinwald
Senior Director Creative Services Germany at Budde Music - Yannick Niang
Music journalist, presenter, podcaster - Yeşim Duman
Curator, moderator, DJ
A short description of the jury members is available here.
Forms and Templates
We’ve collected here some frequently asked questions about Musicboard’s residencies. This information is intended for general advice, is not legally binding, and does not take the place of an examination of individual circumstances. We will gladly answer further, detailed questions on the funding programme by phone or by email. Please read the FAQ 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 provide review of applications. Further, Music Pool Berlin offers advice on topics such as financing and funding.
- What is meant by “living and working in Berlin”?
In this residency programme, Musicboard funds exclusively musicians and bands who live and work in Berlin. Residency and creative focus must be verified with residence permits or personal ID (front and back). The nationality of the musician is irrelevant to the funding decision. However, for non-EU citizens filing an application, it is necessary in addition to the Berlin residence certificate to provide a passport that includes residence permit, duration of stay, and type of work permit. Please note that Berlin residence must be officially verified. Rent contracts etc. are not sufficient for proof of residence. We kindly ask you to refrain from submitting such documents containing sensitive personal data.
- I've just submitted another application to Musicboard. Can I still apply for the residency?
In general, it is possible for musicians to be funded repeatedly and in successive periods. In each round of funding, applicants may apply for more than one residency. In this case, separate applications must be submitted. It is also possible to simultaneously apply for a scholarship and one or multiple residencies. In this case, separate applications must be submitted as well. In general, due to the large number of applications in a given funding round, the jury will recommend only one grant per artist.
- What should I pay attention to when describing my artistic project?
In the application form, applicants must explain, among other things, why they are applying for the residency and what artistic project or type of collaboration they would like to pursue as part of the residency. They should also formulate specific and measurable goals that can be achieved through the residency. The application should reflect that the applicant is aware of the artistic and cultural context and the profile of the residency location. The application texts may be written simply. Above all, they should contain all essential information.
- What should I pay attention to when describing my artistic profile?
In the section for the artistic profile, applicants can describe their artistic career in block text. Furthermore, we also ask for milestones in your artistic career in the form of a keyword bulleted list of performances, concerts, productions, releases, collaborations, awards and prizes. You are also welcome to voluntarily provide information about your social position here (e.g. self-description, gender, disability, age, sexual identity) if it plays a role in your artistic identity and your work and you would like the jury to be aware of it. The application texts may be written simply. Above all, they should contain all essential information.
- Which songs can I submit as music samples? Are demos acceptable?
The music samples should be three songs that represent you and your art. They need not be the newest songs, or the ones that you want to work on during your project. Demos can be submitted. Depending on their quality, it may be wise to provide in addition one or two fully produced works.
- Are the residencies accessible and/or family-friendly?
We want to make our programs accessible to everyone and as inclusive as possible. In the application, you can provide information on your accessibility needs in the “Accessibility” text field so that these can be taken into account. Whether a residency is accessible or can be taken up accompanied by family depends very much on the particular location and the individual needs of the applicant. At HELLERAU, it may be possible to take up the residency with a child or small family, but this must be considered on a case-by-case basis. Information on accessibility at HELLERAU can be found on the HELLERAU website. If you have questions about the accessibility and family-friendliness of this residency, please contact us before applying: residencies@musicboard.berlin.
- When exactly is the application deadline?
The application deadline for the residency is 2 March 2026 at 9:30 a.m. Until then, applications can be submitted online and will be posted as received before the deadline. The application has been successfully received as soon as it appears in your user profile in the “Submitted Applications” section. We recommend allowing plenty of time for the application and its attachments to upload, and not waiting until the last minute to apply. The upload speed of our servers can decline with increased traffic to the website. When uploading, the correct format and maximum file size must be observed. If technical problems arise, please take a screenshot, save the application draft and notify us by email at: residencies@musicboard.berlin.
- What are the jury's selection criteria?
The jury makes its recommendations primarily on the basis of the quality of artistic work, the chances of success and the conclusiveness of the proposed project. A particular focus of the jury is the music samples provided. In addition to these general criteria, transcultural criteria play a major role, especially in the awarding of international and co-creation residencies, e.g. whether applicants have familiarised themselves with the residency location and its cultural context, whether they already have personal or professional connections to the local music culture or whether transculturality is reflected in the applicant’s proposal. Funding decisions are made with a view toward building the diversity of Berlin’s music scene. Musicboard and the appointed jury place great value on diversity, inclusion and gender balance.
- When will I be informed of the jury's decision?
The jury’s decision follows the application deadline by 6 to 8 weeks, and applicants are informed by email. Acceptances and rejections are sent at the same time. Usually, more applications are received than can be funded, and Musicboard is not obliged to explain its decision. There is no legal entitlement to funding.
