German Federal Cultural Foundation

The German Federal Cultural Foundation promotes contemporary art and culture in Germany and in an international context. It supports cultural institutions that experiment thematically and aesthetically, explore innovative working methods, and engage with new audience groups.

At the national level, the German Federal Cultural Foundation has a unique mandate: to promote contemporary art and culture across all artistic disciplines in Germany and in an international context. As an independent foundation, it supports cultural institutions and independent groups to engage in thematic and aesthetic experimentation, enhance their artistic standing, and explore new working methods. Its funding enables theatres, libraries and museums, for example, to engage with new audience groups and critically examine their existing structures. In coordination with state and federal authorities, it contributes to strengthening the diversity of Germany’s cultural landscape, in metropolitan hubs, smaller cities and in more rural areas. With financing provided through General Project Funding, its own funding initiatives, the Cultural Beacons program and large model projects, the German Federal Cultural Foundation directs attention to the pressing social issues of our time. The documenta is one of eight Cultural Beacons. The Foundation is supporting the education program of DOCUMENTA SIXTEEN in 2026/27.

Since the founding of the German Federal Cultural Foundation in 2002, more than 40 funding programs have been established, and around 4,000 projects have been financed with a total of €700 million. Many of these projects have served as models nationally and internationally.

The German Federal Cultural Foundation is funded by the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media by resolution of the German Bundestag.