The many concurrent crises of our time mean that cultural institutions in Germany’s major cities are facing multiple challenges that require them to address complex cultural and political issues of the future. The federal pilot programme “Übermorgen – New Models for Cultural Institutions” invites cultural organisations and municipalities to confront these challenges and create space for vital innovation, resisting the impulse to fall back on familiar solutions. With this programme, the Federal Cultural Foundation is providing funding for the development of new models, such as collaborations between different communities or experimental use cases for cultural venues. The programme operates under the assumption that in ten years’ time, cultural institutions will only be enjoyed and supported by a majority of the population if they can be seen by more people as a valuable common good.

During the pilot phase, which runs from 2024 to 2027, the Federal Cultural Foundation will fund the development of fifty institutional innovation plans in German major cities, each with 50,000 euros. This phase will also include advice, networking opportunities, research visits and inspiration trips to model European cultural sites to gain a more international perspective. A total budget of 4.6 million euros has been made available for this.

In 2027, the implementation phase follows, during which a maximum of 20 pioneering future projects will be supported in their rollout. Applications can be submitted not only by recipients from the orientation phase but also by institutions and alliances that have not previously been part of the programme. Up to €10 million in total funding will be available for this second phase until the end of 2031, with the call for applications starting in autumn 2026.

“Übermorgen – New Models for Cultural Institutions” is an initiative by the German Federal Cultural Foundation. It is delivered in collaboration with Bureau Ritter as the executive partner. The German Federal Cultural Foundation is funded by the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media.