Funding is available for newcomers to the profession of dancer with a graduation certificate or state-recognised vocational qualification who are at least 18 years old, can prove that they are resident in Germany and have generally completed their training in Germany. As a rule, the training should not be completed before 2019. In addition, DIS-TANZ-START aims to employ the young professionals in companies/at theatres subject to social security contributions (dependent employment) for a minimum of 6 and maximum of 12 months.
It depends. If you have only been engaged for one year as a one-year-intern/DIS-TANZ-START dancer or full member, funding for a second year is possible. If you have already been engaged in a company/theatre for two or more years, unfortunately not, because then you have already made the transition into the profession.
This is possible in exceptional cases. However, you must provide a separate written justification why you still consider yourself to be a young professional at the time of application (e.g., if you were unable to start your career due to a long illness, pregnancy or parental leave, or if you have only worked in so-called junior companies and weren´t able to make further career steps due to the pandemic). A decision on your application will be made after obtaining an expert opinion.
Yes, you can. The prerequisite for this is that you have acquired a state-recognised professional qualification as a dancer in Germany (not before 2019), or that your career has a strong biographical or artistic-practical conjunction with Germany. In these cases, a group of experts will also review the application. We recommend that you submit a CV.
Yes. As an alternative to the graduation certificate, please submit a detailed letter of recommendation from the dance scene, your CV, a dance video and a motivational text. For more information about evidence, please read the check list for applicants with non-formal training.
Yes, this is possible in exceptional cases. Our expert group will review your certificate/diploma. However, proof of residence at the time of application is necessary. We recommend to add a dance video to the application.
No. There is no age limit.
The registration application enables the German Dance Association to review whether you are eligible for funding. This assurance is a prerequisite for the company, that would like to engage you, to be able to submit a funding application (for your employment). In addition, by registering, you make it easier to find companies if you have not found one yet. As a registered young professional, you will also be informed about and can participate in all further training and exchange events within the framework of DIS-TANZ-START.
You want to be permanently employed by a company/theatre. This means that you sign a (fixed term) employment contract with the company/theatre. You are then considered an employee and receive a monthly salary from your employer. During your engagement the employee personnel costs incurred by the company/theatre are reimbursed by the German Dance Association. The company/theatre and the German Dance Association make a funding contract. Therefore, the company/theatre must apply for funding.
Applications can be submitted at any time as long as it is theoretically possible to join a company for at least six months. Currently, engagements are funded that run until June the 30th (in exceptional cases July the 31st) 2023.
You can now start a DIS-TANZ-START-funded employment relationship in a company. Your name as well as the data on your dance training and your named dance styles/aesthetic will be published in the list of participants on the website to document your eligibility and availability. Based on this list, interested companies can then contact the German Dance Association and – if you have placed the order – receive your application documents (CV and portrait photo). The company can contact you and, in the best case, offer you a contract. Once you have found a company, they will fill out a letter of intent and attach it to the funding application. In addition, you are entitled to participate in the further training and exchange events within the DIS-TANZ-START programme.
No, this is not necessary. However, if you have already found a company that would like to – and can – engage you, please mention this in the registration application form.
If your registration application has not been accepted, the company/theatre that would like to engage you cannot be funded by DIS-TANZ-START.
The proofs of residence and evidence of your qualification as a starting professional dancer are essential for the registration. If these do not match the funding criteria, your application will be rejected. If you would still like to dance as professional artist, we recommend that you inform yourself about alternative funding and employment opportunities and contact regional culture or dance offices or the Agentur für Arbeit/ZAV Tanz.
In the registration application form you have the opportunity to give precise information about which companies/theatres producing in Germany interest you. The more comprehensive the information you give, the better the German Dance Association can try to pass on your application to these companies/theatres in the hope that they have free capacity and are interested in working with you. However, the decision for or against a placement lies with the respective company. The German Dance Association cannot give a guarantee of placement. As long as you do not have a DIS-TANZ-START placement, you can of course continue to dance elsewhere. In a personal conversation we can better overview your situation, recommend possible other funding programmes or name other suitable counselling partners.
There are no application rounds. Applications can be submitted at any time and will be reviewed directly afterwards.
The documents that must be submitted for the application can be found on the first page of the application form under "Preparation". Please choose between the registration application form for applicants with formal training and the registration application form for non-formal training (without a graduation certificate).
Yes, application documents can be submitted in German or English.
The DIS-TANZ-START project team decides on the application based on a formal review. In exceptional cases, an expert group will be consulted to give a professional vote.
The applications are reviewed directly after they have been received. As soon as a result is available, the announcement is made by e-mail.
Applicants who cannot sufficiently prove that they belong to one of the above-mentioned target groups cannot be registered and will be informed by e-mail. We will be happy to counsel personally about the possibility of reapplying.
As a rule, you will be employed full-time. Your employment is then considered your main employment. You would have to apply to the company/the theatre for secondary employment, unless otherwise agreed. (Please note, however, that there may be no accident insurance cover for secondary employment.)
The company/the theatre should give you time off for these events as long as the artistic needs allow it. Please inform your employer about your wish to participate in DIS-TANZ-START events in good time so that they can schedule you accordingly. The time spent participating in the events should be considered working time and will be remunerated accordingly. You apply directly to your employer for further time off from work (auditions, private leave, secondary employment, etc.).
You are obliged to inform the company/the theatre if you are unable to come to work due to illness. As a rule, if the inability to work lasts longer than three calendar days, you are obliged to present a doctor's certificate stating the expected duration of the inability to work. Get local advice on which doctor you could go to.
You must report the accident to your employer. When you go to see a doctor, remember to go to a so-called “D-Arzt” first or directly to an emergency department. Medical or treatment costs incurred as a result of work accidents are usually covered by the occupational accident insurance. Find out which accident insurance is responsible in your case and state this with the “D-Arzt”or at the emergency department.
This is possible, but cannot be guaranteed, as it depends on the personnel policy of the respective company and on whether you have met the requirements of the company during the time of your placement. Stay tuned for future information on a possible extension of the DIS-TANZ-START funded employment.
Half of the social security contributions are paid by you and half by the employer. However, the employer raises your salary by his/her percentage share from their own budget. This also applies to a possible contribution to the supplementary insurance with the “Versorgungsanstalt der deutschen Bühnen” (Bayerische Versorgungskammer). Since an employment within DIS-TANZ-START is your main occupation, you must register with a statutory health insurance. If you are already a member of the “KSK”, please seek their advice before. The employer will take over all deductions for you.
If you are employed by a company/theatre, you will receive a monthly salary that is based on the minimum wage in the collective agreement called “NV Bühne”. The employer automatically deducts taxes and social security contributions from your salary and pays them to the relevant authorities. The actual amount of the net salary depends on several factors. The German Dance Association will be happy to counsel personally.
Click here for information on DIS-TANZ-START consultation.