Call for Members

Art and cultural organisations strongly contribute to the vibrant cultural sector in the new German states. The important work of these organisations would be unthinkable without the unwavering dedication of their active supporters. These individuals make artistic and cultural events possible by donating their time, energy and ideas. And, of course, their money. Cultural organisations require a broad base of paying members. The membership dues support the core group of active members and provide the organisation long-term financial security. So in other words, the more members, the better.

That is why the Federal Cultural Foundation launched the “Call for Members” competition. Its purpose was to encourage art and cultural organisations in Thuringia, Saxony, Brandenburg, Saxony-Anhalt and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania to focus their activities on recruiting new members for six months. Prize money totalling 200,000 euros was offered in two categories to the organisations which succeeded in recruiting the largest number of paying members between 16 March and 31 August 2012.

The participating organisations stood the chance to profit twice. Naturally, any new members would revitalise the organisations and help replenish their treasuries. Secondly, funding bonuses of 1,200 euros to 10,000 euros were awarded to the winners to provide them with even more financial flexibility for the coming two years.

On 6 October 2012, the Federal Cultural Foundation announced the winners at an awards ceremony in Halle. Out of the 85 participating art and cultural organisations in the new German states, 35 received funding bonuses for their exceptional achievement. These organisations had succeeded in recruiting up to 134 new members.

In addition to the main competition, several organisations agreed to team up and compete for the special prize offered in the category “Cooperation”. The competition required the contenders to jointly produce artistic-cultural projects, for which they were eligible to win funding bonuses between 4,000 and 10,000 euros.

You can find extensive information about the “Call for Members” competition at www.call-for-members.de (external link, opens in a new window).