Since 2021, the Department of Culture has been supporting cultural education projects at schools with a funding program.
Support program - cultural education in schools.
The goal of this funding is to encourage active engagement with culture, to introduce students to new and unfamiliar forms of work and expression, and thereby to open up opportunities that are not available in regular classroom instruction. In 2026, the state capital of Wiesbaden once again allocated funds for cultural education projects in schools. A panel of experts decided on the award recipients. An overview of the selected projects can be found in the download section.
Information about future calls for proposals will be published here in due course.
The Cultural Affairs Office has the authority to make its own decisions regarding smaller projects with a budget of up to 800 euros. Applications may be submitted via the corresponding application form on the online portal, regardless of the committee’s decision or the deadline, but subject to the availability of funds. Note: Project funding has been exhausted.
An overview of other funding programs for cultural education projects can be found at the bottom of the page in the download section.
Application deadline
Information about future calls for proposals will be posted here in due course.
An overview of other funding programs for cultural education projects can be found at the bottom of the page in the download section.
Wiesbaden schools (all grades and school types) can apply in cooperation with a cultural institution, an art association or independent artists. Pupils should also be encouraged to contribute their own ideas and participate in the concept design. The school's support association can also submit an application on behalf of the school.
Which projects can be submitted?
The spectrum of possible project ideas ranges from dance, music and media formats to theater and art workshops. Combinations of these categories or other creative and artistic ideas are also conceivable. It is important to note that the schools do not purchase ready-made formats, but rather the school and cultural partner coordinate and develop the project idea together with the pupils.
The funded applications are characterized by the fact that they correspond to the principles of cultural education, i.e. aesthetic experience through participation, artistic and pedagogical quality of instruction, strength and process orientation and error-friendliness. It is also important that the concept of the project is new and complementary, even if it takes place in the classroom or relates to it. Subsequent funding of the project is possible up to two times.
What project durations and formats are possible?
Short, medium or long-term projects can be funded, such as one-off events, a workshop, project weeks, multi-day activities as well as long-term ideas such as a working group or a series over a school semester.
How can I apply?
Register on the city’s online portal, select whether you wish to submit an application for a project costing up to 800 euros or over 800 euros, and fill out the application form. You will also need to include a cost and funding plan. We do not require any additional paper documents. If you encounter technical difficulties, please contact us at
The requested grant amount is flexible. A budget of up to 5,000 euros is recommended, but higher amounts are also possible if they are justified in the budget proposal. If a decision on the application is to be made promptly, the grant amount must be less than 800 euros. In that case, the Cultural Affairs Office can decide on the application outside of the expert committee’s meeting.
Is there a personal contribution?
Funding is provided in the form of shortfall financing. The cooperation partners make a contribution of at least ten percent of the total volume.
How is a funding decision made?
The Cultural Affairs Office has the authority to approve smaller projects with a budget of up to 800 euros; otherwise, the Department of Schools and Culture makes the decision based on the recommendations of an expert panel representing various fields. The funding guidelines titled "Cultural Education in Schools" govern the allocation of these funds.
What fees can be charged?
Fees are generally reimbursed up to a maximum of 45 euros per hour. Time spent on preparation and follow-up work may be reimbursed if it is proportionate to the nature and scope of the project and is appropriately justified in the application. Project partners may claim travel expenses for travel from their place of work or residence to the project location and back. Travel expenses are reimbursed in accordance with the Hessian Travel Expenses Act. The corresponding costs must be specified in the cost and financing plan. Further information can be found in the PDF "Funding Guidelines" at the bottom of the page under "Documents."
