Ministry of Culture supports seven initiatives from the Pop Project Fund
From rehearsals and studio recordings to concerts and festivals: this year, the Ministry of Culture is once again supporting various popular music projects with a total of 50,000 euros through the ‘Pop Brandenburg’ funding programme.
Minister for Culture Dr Manja Schüle: “Superstars with sold-out tours and major established festivals cannot hide the fact that the pop industry is currently facing difficult economic challenges. I am therefore delighted that we have once again set up a fund this year, enabling us to support creative projects and innovative events in our state. I was impressed by the fact that many projects are organised entirely on a voluntary basis by people who are often very young. They specifically create performance opportunities for newcomers and regional artists who would otherwise find it difficult to get on stage. Whether it’s rock or hip-hop, pop or electro, R&B or metal: popular music is an integral part of an attractive, innovative cultural life, and Brandenburg needs – whether in its cities or across the region as a whole – a vibrant popular music scene!”
The main focus of the Pop Project Fund is on initiatives that support up-and-coming talent in Brandenburg and strengthen the diversity and artistic quality of the scene, such as new concert series for newcomers or networking and training opportunities. Particularly in a large, sparsely populated state like Brandenburg, this support for the cultural base creates the conditions for artistic talent to develop, local scenes to grow and cultural diversity to be preserved in the long term. A total of 20 applications were received. The funding amount per project ranges from a minimum of 2,500 euros to a maximum of 10,000 euros.
The following projects have been awarded funding:
Klangspektrum Neiphos Festival 2026: A festival featuring multiple stages and various styles of popular music, with a particular focus on emerging artists and FLINTA* artists (women, lesbians, intersex, non-binary, transgender and agender people), Neiphos e.V. (Havelland and Ostprignitz-Ruppin district)
Beats gegen Hetze 2026: Concert featuring regional bands as a symbol of democracy, diversity and tolerance, AWO Brandenburg South District Association (Oberspreewald-Lausitz)
Liederlauschen am Rand: Musical programme featuring ten predominantly emerging artists from Poland and Germany, Theater am Rand e.V. (Märkisch-Oderland)
Hain & Zunder Festival 2026: Music and culture festival combining electronic music with visual art, spatial design and communal experiences, Musik- und Kulturförderverein Luckenwalde e.V. (Teltow-Fläming)
f*land 2026: Graffiti and music festival aimed at promoting and raising the profile of FLINTA* individuals from the hip-hop and street art scenes, CULTUS UG (Potsdam)
Friedland Open Church Stage: Curated stage for emerging pop artists as part of the ‘Jenseits von Millionen’ festival, anderes Festival e.V. (Oder-Spree)
Pfingströckchen: New Generation Stage featuring regional newcomers and professionals for audiences comprising children, young people and families as part of the Pfingstrock Festival 2026, Botanikrocker e.V. (Elbe-Elster).