FAQ

If you cannot find an answer to your questions here, you can contact our contest office at any time kontakt@thepowerofthearts.de

1Who can apply for The Power of the Arts?
 
Eligibility is open to projects and concepts which use art and culture to advocate for social and cultural equality as well as understanding among all people, and to take down structural, social, and cultural barriers. The award is given to projects or concepts that are yet to be realized or have just started being rolled out. To be eligible, the applicant institution/organization must be non-profit, be domiciled in Germany, and be primarily oriented toward people aged 18 and over; furthermore, the project participants need to be of legal adult age.
2How many projects will funding be awarded to?
 

In 2021, four projects or concepts will each be awarded a sum of 50,000 euros. The ongoing Corona pandemic continues to have a drastic impact on the culture sector. That is why our initiators have decided to once again distribute the prize money totaling 200,000 euros among four projects, in order to provide the winning projects with more sustainable and long-term financial security.
3How are the projects selected?
 

Since The Power of the Arts receives a large number of applications every year, the jury process consists of multiple stages. This process involves comprehensive review and assessment for each application. A pre-selection of projects will be proposed to the jury for the decision on the winners.  The jury has the opportunity to review all of the applications submitted. Information about the jury members can be found on the website. The Power of the Arts’ jury includes prominent figures from arts and culture who themselves are representative of our heterogeneous society. The jury is appointed each year by the sponsor of the initiative The Power of the Arts. The jury’s composition is by no means static. While most of the current jury members have been with us since the first call for applications, changes can take place at any time. All jury members at The Power of the Arts are appointed based on their high degree of expertise and international recognition. We are happy to report how we have been able to have a jury every year which wields utmost professionalism and respect during the selection process and the discussion regarding awardees.
4Can I apply with a project that has been done in the past and is going to be carried out again?
 
Yes, that is possible. Here it is advantageous to focus the project description on the potential evaluation and further development that the project has undergone.
5Can I apply as a freelance band, freelance ensemble, or freelance artist?
 
Freelancers can apply provided the concept and/or project is sponsored by a non-profit institution or initiative (gGmbH, registered association, public law institution, etc.). That information needs to be entered accordingly in the field “Name of organization, sponsor, or event organizer” (see online application form).
6What is the application process like for The Power of the Arts?
 

The following steps need to be taken to apply to The Power of the Arts :

  • Starting 15 April 2021, you can register at thepowerofthearts.de using the “application” menu option.
  • You’ll then receive your login info via email.
  • You can use that info to login and start the application right away.

The application deadline is midnight (12:00am) on 15 June 2021.

We’ll be happy to send you a reminder when the application process opens: To do so, register at www.thepowerofthearts.de/bewerben using your email address.
7I didn’t receive a confirmation email.
 

Confirmation of your application is sent automatically. If you haven’t received it yet, then please first check whether you entered your email address correctly, and also be sure to check your spam folder. If you still can’t find an email, then please contact the Project Office at kontakt@thepowerofthearts.de or over the phone at +49 (0)30 5300 2945.
8Can I submit my application in English?
 
Applications are only accepted in German.
9How do I perform the financial calculation for the application?
 
The application needs to disclose the project’s financial structure. To do so, an editable PDF is available for download which lays out the cost and finance plan. You’ll need to download the form, fill it out, and then upload it in the next step. For expenditures that cannot yet be named with exactness, we do ask that a calculation
be made for the corresponding items – i.e. please do research to determine a number that will be a realistic placeholder for the final amount.
10How can I save the information entered in the online form?
 
The online form divides the application into individual steps. Each step consists of one or multiple questions or uploads. You’ll have the option to save the application’s current status and return to earlier steps as long as the application hasn’t been submitted yet.
Please note that the save function will only work if you have completed all of the fields and uploaded all of the required documents for a specific step. If you are unable to answer a question, then it’s best to use a placeholder. You can edit that information again later.
11Why are the file names of the submitted PDF documents changed?
 

All documents are automatically renamed during upload, irrespective of the name you’ve saved them under. This is done in order to be absolutely certain of correct allocation to your project and happens intentionally.
12Can I still change my application after having sent it?
 
Once you have submitted your application, you won’t be able to make any further changes to it. The Contest Office likewise cannot make any changes to applications after submission. That means you need to be certain that all information is complete when submitting the application.
13When can I expect to see a decision from the jury?
 
The jury will make its decision in September 2021. After that, the Contest Office will notify all applicants of the
results from the jury session.
14What documents are needed in order for the prize money to be paid out to the winners?
 

The following documents must be provided by the awardee(s) prior to payout of the prize money: current notice of tax exemption; annual financial report, as available; most recent annual financial statement; articles of association or by-laws; application form for the award money; and a detailed cost and financial plan for the project.
15Are awardee projects obliged to make reference to The Power of the Arts?
 

It is important to us that you use the awardee logo of The Power of the Arts, which makes reference to the sponsor Philip Morris GmbH, on your website and when information about the winning project is published.
16Does the award money have to be used/spent in full?
 
Yes, the prize money of 50,000 euros must be used and spent in full. The prize money is intended to bring sustainability to the work of initiatives and projects as well as to make a contribution to cultural understanding. It’s important to ensure that the submitting institutions and project actors are using the prize money in a responsible manner. The cost and finance plan to be completed in the application provides the jury with a foundation to that end. The actual costs incurred must be evidenced following project completion. Approval will be required for any changes in subject matter or finances during the project term.
17Whom can I contact with questions?
 

The Project Office is happy to be at your service for all questions regarding content as well as for technical assistance. You can reach it at +49 (0)30 – 5300 2945, Monday through Friday, between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. and also via email at kontakt@thepowerofthearts.de. Your contact partner is Salome Beber.

Please note: The demand for assistance is extremely high toward the end of the application period, which means waiting times are to be expected. Therefore, be sure to contact the Project Office early on with your questions.
18What is Philip Morris GmbH’s connection to The Power of the Arts?
 

The Power of the Arts is an initiative from Philip Morris GmbH. Philip Morris GmbH provides the sponsorship money as well as the entire contest infrastructure. The content of the initiative is in no way connected with the company’s products.

Sponsorship for the initiative The Power of the Arts has a clear focus on social participation for all.

Philip Morris GmbH has had a long-standing tradition of engagement in social and cultural affairs. The company sponsors projects for the socially and physically disadvantaged, projects against domestic violence, projects for the advancement of women, for education, and for income-generating measures for young adults. Philip Morris GmbH has been well known since the 60s as a sponsor of large-scale collections, exhibitions, and artists. Since 2017, the company has been linking those two aspects via The Power of the Arts.

In addition, the company is also involved on the socio-political scene. Its study “How we really live” (Original title: “Wie wir wirklich leben”) investigates in partnership with the Rheingold Institute the German citizenry’s expectations on politics as well as how they want to be involved in political decision-making processes. The goal is to provide future-oriented common ground for constructive public discourse and new impulses against the growing societal division perceived today by many people.