HELLERAU receives Theaterpreis des Bundes

HELLERAU – European Centre for the Arts receives the Theaterpreis des Bundes, worth €200,000. “The theater impresses with a clearly defined program that combines artistic quality and social responsibility. As an important venue for international perspectives and innovative residencies, the theater provides strong impetus” says the jury.

On 17 April 2026, Minister of State for Culture Wolfram Weimer will present the 2026 Federal Theatre Prize at the Haus der Berliner Festspiele to HELLERAU - European Centre for the Arts and other prizewinners.

“The Theaterpreis des Bundes is a very special honor for us, as it represents a great appreciation of the work of many people in front of, on and behind the stage. So we can rejoice together with the artists and our audience! The award is an important recognition of our international work of the HELLERAU in Dresden Production House in Dresden and strengthens our cooperation with independent artists, partners and networks nationally and internationally. This will strengthen us for the future." (Carena Schlewitt, Director of HELLERAU - European Centre for the Arts)

“The award of the Theaterpreis des Bundes to HELLERAU is great news for Dresden. For many years, the European Centre for the Arts has stood for international appeal, artistic innovation and an open approach to social issues. The fact that this commitment has now been recognised nationwide makes us very proud as a city of culture. My thanks go to the entire team at HELLERAU," congratulates Dirk Hilbert, Lord Mayor of the state capital of Dresden.

“The Theaterpreis confirms the outstanding international and national function of HELLERAU in the field of performative arts, dance and music and recognises the achievements in the work with the regional scene as well as with international companies under the directorship of Carena Schlewitt," says a delighted Annekatrin Klepsch, Mayor of Culture.

HELLERAU - The European Centre for the Arts is an interdisciplinary and international centre for dance, performance/theater, music, media art, discourse and educational projects. HELLERAU offers spaces for the production of independent performing arts, for festivals, guest performances and concerts, as well as for exhibitions and discourse events, and cooperates with various regional and international cultural partners and networks. HELLERAU sees itself as an international campus for the independent performing arts, as a place of artistic freedom and a place to engage with current social debates on art and society, which are addressed in themed programs and festival formats. The international and interdisciplinary residency program, which promotes artistic research and project development, is unique. Through formats such as workshops and participatory projects, HELLERAU is also a place for new experiences and encounters with different communities in urban society. HELLERAU has been a stage of the state capital of Dresden since 2006 and a member of the Alliance of International Production Houses since 2016. Carena Schlewitt has been the theater's artistic director since the 2018/19 season.

The Theaterpreis des Bundes is one of the most important awards in Germany. A main prize is awarded as well as one award in each of the three categories of municipal and state theaters, private theaters and guest theaters as well as independent venues and production houses. The main criteria for an award are new approaches to the artistic examination of current social issues, ecological and social sustainability and technical and digital innovation.

Further information can be found here.