The kwmm Academy supports you as a musician, composer or cultural manager in strategically developing your artistic and organizational projects and confidently taking charge of your career.
This course covers all the important areas of the music business within five days: marketing, career development, cultural funding, taxes and rights - concentrated knowledge so that you can confidently advance your career even without an agency by your side.
Session 1: Introduction & Historical Context
What is music? Creation – interpretation – communication
Key stakeholders in the music world and their perspectives
Concerts: tradition, repertoire, dramaturgy, and the audience experience
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Session 2: Cultural Policy Stakeholders
Overview: Berlin, Germany, and the international context
Structures and decision-making processes in cultural policy
Cultural policy at the local, national, and international levels
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Session 3: Cultural Funding
Funding opportunities at EU, federal, state, and municipal levels
Fundraising, sponsorship, and foundations
Applications and grant writing
Developing financing plans
Practical case studies
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Session 4: Accounting & Taxation
Fundamentals of accounting and financial reporting
Tax-related issues for musicians and ensembles
Legal structures for projects and ensembles
Artists’ Social Insurance Fund (Künstlersozialkasse)
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Session 5: Rights & Media
Types of contracts and legal relationships
Copyright and collecting societies
Legal forms of presenters, producers, and ensembles
Associations, unions, and collective agreements
Labour law aspects and negotiation strategies
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Session 6: Marketing & Self-Presentation
Website and social media strategies
Building networks and audience development
Writing biographies and creating a professional portfolio
How to present yourself successfully
Project Development – from idea to plan in five days: Do you want to develop your own projects alongside your artistic work? Perhaps launch a new concert series, a festival, or an education project with your ensemble? Do you have strong organizational skills and want to expand your music management expertise?
Then our project-specific, tailor-made workshops are exactly what you’re looking for.
How do I develop a project idea with realistic chances of success?
• Which venues are suitable for my project?
• How do I reach my audience?
• Which marketing tools are truly effective?
• How do I create a solid budget and financing plan?
• Which networks can support me?
• How do I present my idea convincingly in funding applications?
• Which funding instruments are appropriate?
Whether individually or in a group, we guide you step by step—from the initial idea to a viable, sustainable concept.
Take the next step and bring your vision to life!
Guidance and expertise for your next career steps:
Over a flexible period of time, we support musicians, ensembles, and composers through regular one-on-one consultations. These sessions address the topics that matter most—ranging from practical knowledge of self-management and project development to strategies for tackling specific challenges and exploring long-term perspectives for artistic and professional growth.
The individually tailored coaching covers the following areas, which can be adapted to personal needs and, where appropriate, explored in greater depth in group settings:
Career Development: Where is my USP? Where do I stand now and what is the goal?
Programme Dramaturgy: Compelling and distinctive programme concepts are key.
Cultural Policy Stakeholders: Who does what, and who makes the decisions?
Communication and Networking: How do I build a sustainable professional network?
Marketing and PR: How do I present myself publicly, and through which channels?
Rights and Media: Contracts, copyright, and negotiation strategies.
Cultural Funding and Grants: How and where can I apply for funding?
Behind-the-Scenes Administration: Accounting, taxes, KSK, GEMA, GVL, and more.
Courses 2025-26
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Notice
Notice
Information on Funding and Participation Fees
The kwmm Academy is co-financed by the European Union and the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) in cooperation with the Berlin Senate Department for Economics, Energy and Public Enterprises.
As part of this funding program, a contribution from participants is mandatory, meaning the courses cannot be offered free of charge.
It is possible to apply for funding through GVL (German collecting society for performing rights).
Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions or require advice.
