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© Nasser Hashemi

Children's Theatre of the Month

The ‘Children's Theatre of the Month’ combines cultural education and artistic experience. This classic feature of the NRWKS programme is not only fun for children.

Children of all ages experience the diverse possibilities of theatre – as an enriching cultural technique and a means of artistic engagement with relevant topics. The artists take their young target audience very seriously. Their extraordinary productions are both encouraging and entertaining.

Ensembles can apply for inclusion in the funding programme and thus in the ‘Children's Theatre of the Month’ funding catalogue with a production. A working group of experienced event organisers from the cities decides on the selection and inclusion of productions in the funding catalogue.

Municipal and non-municipal organisers in the more than 100 member cities of the NRW KULTURsekretariat and the Kultursekretariat NRW Gütersloh (which jointly organise the programme) as well as from the institutions of the Landschaftsverband Rheinland are eligible to apply. They can apply for subsidies to cover fees.

Selection 2026

January: Viertel vor Nacht (florschütz & döhnert, Berlin)

February: OHNE DICH – das geht doch nicht (Artisanen, Berlin)

March: Ich kann's nicht lassen (Janne Gregor / TANZKOMPLIZEN mit tanzhaus NRW)

April: DING. (Karoline Hoffmann & Julika Mayer, Berlin)

May: Die Werkstatt der Schmetterlinge (Mensch, Puppe!, Bremen)

September: nur wir alle (Theater Fusion, Berlin)

October: Gute Nacht, Carola (Theater des Lachens, Frankfurt, Oder)

November: Cicala's Tango (Duo Mario&Mela, Fribourg, CH)

December: Von den Socken (Nastasja Raböse)

The selection is supplemented by a separate summer holiday programme.

Children's theatre in the 2026 holidays

Mücke macht Picknick (Theater Lakritz Berlin)

Josi und seine Freunde – Auf neuen Wegen (Meike van Bebber & Friends)

Zeros Plan (Compania Mago del Tiempo)

Erwachsen?! (theater satt)

Sonst Schoko (Adeline Rüss)

Information on funding

What is funded under the programme?

Performances of productions from the current funding catalogue ‘Children's Theatre of the Month’

Funding in the respective month (in exceptional cases also in the month before or after)

Who can apply?

Municipal and non-municipal organisers from the member cities of the NRWKS and institutions of the Rhineland Regional Council

Is there an application deadline?

No application deadline.

Applications should be submitted six weeks before the planned start of the project, if possible.

What is the amount of funding?

The amount of funding available can be found in the download area of the funding portal.

Funding per performance (including double performances) up to 50% of fees

In the case of high ticket revenues, proof of a remaining own contribution to the costs of 20% (municipal organisers) and 10% (independent organisers) must be provided. If no proof is provided, the funding from the NRWKS will be reduced accordingly.

How does a catalogue promotion work?

As the organiser, first contact the artist or ensemble and arrange a date for your event. Then submit an application for the theatre performance via the NRWKS funding portal.

As the funding is a financial contribution towards the artist's fee, it is sufficient to list only the costs for the fees and, if applicable, press and public relations work in the cost and financing plan.

Only once you have received written confirmation of funding can you conclude contracts with the ensemble.

What funding conditions must be met?

Content related to the ‘Children's Theatre of the Month’ funding programme

Location in one of the member cities of the NRWKS or in institutions of the Rhineland Regional Council

Public accessibility (exception: internal school event)

No project start (i.e. public relations work, conclusion of contracts, awarding of contracts, payments) before submitting an application on the NRWKS funding portal

No funding for parties or organisations with a profit motive

How do I apply for funding?

Applications must be submitted exclusively via the NRWKS funding portal.

Please note whether additional documents, such as letters of recommendation or letters of approval from other funding bodies, need to be uploaded to the funding portal for the application.

Click here for further information on the funding procedure.

Organisers from the member cities of the Kultursekretariat NRW Gütersloh should contact them directly for funding requests.

Notes for ensembles

How is admission to the funding programme made?

Ensembles can apply with a production for inclusion in the "Children's theatre of the month" funding programme. To do so, contact project manager Bettina Maurer directly via e-mail, T. 0178 91 00 727.

The children's theatre project group decides on the selection.