At a public meeting, the Culture Committee decided on the allocation of funding for independent cultural work in 2026 totalling approx. 4.1 million euros.
At its meeting in early February, the committee largely followed the proposals of the City of Chemnitz's cultural management and the expert recommendations of the Cultural Advisory Board for the funding of independent cultural institutions and projects in Chemnitz. 110 measures were submitted to the cultural management. The Culture Committee's decision means that around 100 applications can be subsidised. The funding covers all areas of art and culture: from museums to local history, literature, performing arts, film and media, visual arts, music, socio-culture and interdisciplinary measures to youth culture.
In addition, important measures are also possible as part of the cultural promotion of independent organisations that are close to the hearts of the Cultural Advisory Board and the Cultural Administration in accordance with the City of Chemnitz's cultural strategy: These include, for example, the creation of a reserve fund for spontaneous projects in the current year, the provision of local authority shares in the course of investment funding for independent cultural institutions of regional importance, the "City of Chemnitz Literature Scholarship", organisational development funding and an "Artist in Residence" support fund for measures in 2026.
Small project funding in 2026:
With the provision of the reserve fund, there is once again the opportunity this year until 15 November 2026 to apply for small projects arising at short notice at the Kulturbetrieb with a maximum application amount of 2,000 euros. Applications have been possible since 1 March 2026 and can only be submitted online via the service portal of the Free State of Saxony at least four weeks before the start of the project at www.chemnitz.de/kleinprojektefoerderung.
"Artist in Residence" support fund in 2026:
A small "Artist in Residence" support fund for non-profit cultural organisations could be set up again for 2026 with the decision of the Culture Committee. Independent cultural organisations have the opportunity to apply for a grant of up to a maximum of 3,000 euros for residencies by artists or cultural professionals from various disciplines until the end of October 2026 in order to realise a guest residency in Chemnitz of up to four weeks. A grant for the guest and the costs of the stay are to be co-financed. A personal contribution must still be made. The artist can come from Europe, including Germany, but should at least be resident outside the Free State of Saxony.
Applications for planned projects can be submitted until the end of October 2026 at the latest, but prompt submission is recommended as the funds available are limited and the measures require planning time.
Applications for the "Artist in Residence" support fund must be submitted to the Kulturbetrieb der Stadt Chemnitz at least eight weeks before the start of the project. The funding guidelines and the form "Application for a project-related grant" can be found at www.chemnitz.de/kulturfoerderung.
Cultural funding in Chemnitz is intended to provide stakeholders with planning security, targeted incentives for public cultural work and space for cultural experimentation. With their diversity and vitality, cultural associations and initiatives make a significant contribution to the cultural landscape and events calendar in Chemnitz.
All information on the resolutions passed (B-005/2026 to B-015/2026) can be viewed in the City of Chemnitz's council information system under the Cultural Committee meeting date of 5 February 2026.
Funding for art and culture is provided on the basis of the valid guidelines of the City of Chemnitz for the granting of grants in the field of art and culture.
www.chemnitz.de/kulturfoerderung
The next application deadlines for 2027:
- 30 June 2026 for the year 2027:
- Applications for art and culture funding with an application amount of more than 3,500 euros
- Applications for funding for investment measures at cultural institutions of regional importance - 1 September 2026 for the year 2027:
- Applications for municipal arts and culture funding for projects with a maximum application amount of 3,500 euros