Workshop for upcoming independent artists in the independent scene
How do I realise my first own project after graduation? How do I find a partner house that supports me in the implementation? Where do I get money from? And how do I actually get into the artists’ social insurance fund?
The coordinators of Cheers for Fears, Jascha Sommer and Sina-Marie Schneller, shared their experiences in the organisational set-up of first independent artistic projects in the workshop “Erste Schritte”. The recurring workshop provided insights into the timing of a project, cooperation with venues, funding opportunities and financial planning. In addition, concepts for funding applications were discussed and the basics of legal forms (e.g. GbR and e.V.) and security (artists’ social insurance, insurance etc.) were taught.
In addition to teaching the basics, the focus was on the discussion of the participants’ artistic concepts. This made it possible to simulate the implementation of the debut projects and to discuss concrete first and next steps.
On May 28, 2018, the workshop took place in cooperation with the Landesbüro für Freie Darstellende Künste in the Flex-Zone of the Academy of Media Arts Cologne. Also in cooperation with the State Office for Independent Performing Arts, there was an edition of the workshop at Ringlokschuppen Ruhr on Feb. 16, 2019. Further seminars followed in cooperation with the Folkwang on May 11-12, 2019, April 18, 2020, and June 18-19, 2021.