Hamburg bolsters funding for independent music sector

Some 35 additional projects have been greenlit thanks to the cash infusion

Hamburg’s Ministry of Culture and Media has announced that it will be providing additional funding to the city’s independent music sector that is meant to help local musicians stay afloat during the economic crisis caused by COVID-19. This new batch of funding follows a series of other measures that were targeted specifically at Hamburg’s independent culture scene and is considered to be crucial to preserve and protect the city’s artists as they struggle to recoup from the pandemic.

One-off payment to realize some key projects

The funding allocated by the city’s Culture and Media Ministry amounts to 90,000 euros (on top of the 600,000 euros that have already been provided as part of the programme) as a one-off payment for the carrying out of several projects that will help local artists and musicians make ends meet during the pandemic.

An independent jury has already selected the 35 projects that will be realized thanks to the cash infusion after reviewing applications from a wide range of bands, orchestras, artists and agencies that were submitted to the Musikstadtfonds 2021.

"The Musikstadtfonds consists of targeted support for the independent music scene, which is an existential component of our lively and diverse music city," explained Dr. Carsten Brosda, Senator for Culture and Media. The grants, ranging between 5,000 and 70,000 euros are meant to be issued to projects that highlight the diversity of Hamburg’s independents and multi-faceted music scene. Classical concerto works, contemporary music, popular music and jazz, ensembles, bands, orchestras, individual artists, agencies, musical societies and associations were all eligible for funding and representatives from Hamburg’s independent music industry will soon reap the benefits of the city’s policy.

Not only will artists and musicians be able to carry out projects that would otherwise have been cancelled due to the lack of funding during the pandemic, but they will also jointly work towards once again making Hamburg a city jam-packed with culture and cultural opportunities.