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Promotion of Hamburg music labels

The Hamburg Label Fund supports small music production companies/music labels in the production of sound recordings or in the area of promotion/marketing.

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Promotion of culture by the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg

Detailed description

Apply for funding from the Hamburg Label Fund, which provides financial support for music productions by small labels. This is intended to secure the existence of small music labels and thus strengthen the diversity of the music city of Hamburg.


Label funding supports the actual production process of a project or the marketing/promotion area resulting from the release of a music product.


The funding is aimed at micro-enterprises with headquarters or a branch in Hamburg and the funding amount is between 3,000 and 10,000 euros. A personal contribution of at least 50 percent is required. Applications must be submitted well in advance of the start of the project to be funded, as implementation can only begin after the funding decision has been made. There are two funding rounds each year, one in spring and one in autumn. Applicants are advised by the Kreativ Gesellschaft during the application process. An expert committee advises the Ministry of Culture and Media on the selection of projects to be funded.


No dates have yet been set for the second funding round in 2023.

 

Information

Prerequisites

Applications can be submitted by music production companies with headquarters or a branch in Hamburg. The funding is aimed at micro-enterprises within the meaning of EU regulations (fewer than ten employees, annual turnover or balance sheet total of less than two million euros).


In order to receive label funding, the recipients must have professionally managed at least two releases (artist albums/new productions). To do this, they must have suitable distribution structures and proper management.


The project for which funding is requested must not have started at the time of application.


No other sources may apply for public funding for the project.

Documents required

In addition to the necessary general information (name and address of the applicant), the application must contain in particular the following information:


- Detailed and coherent project description with financing plan (total production and sub-area for which funding is requested) and explanation of the marketing strategy and sales structures


- Specifying the duration of the project


- Company portrait (with presentation of previous productions)


- Short portrait of the artist to be produced


- Audio sample(s)

Please note

The requested funding must be between 3,000 and 10,000 euros. A personal contribution of at least 50 percent is required.


Specific music releases, the actual production process or the publication of those productions can be supported.


There is no preference or discrimination towards certain musical genres.


This is a project funding scheme, and one company can submit multiple applications for different projects.


Projects that contain content or terms that glorify or trivialize violence, incite hatred, are pornographic or racist will not be supported.

Deadlines

The Authority for Culture and Media awards funding twice a calendar year, each time for a project period of a maximum of one year.

Procedure

Timely consideration of the applicable funding guidelines;


Opportunity to apply at the beginning of the year or in late summer;


Advice from the Kreativ Gesellschaft during the application process;


preparation of application documents;


Timely receipt of applications;


After the Authority for Culture and Media has made a decision on the application for a grant based on the recommendations of the expert committee, acceptances and rejections will be sent out;


After receiving a commitment: If necessary, submit an updated financing plan based on the approved funding amount;


Grant notifications to the grant recipients;


If necessary, application for early commencement of measures


implementation of the project;


After implementation of the project: Preparation of a proof of use.

Processing time

Duration: approx. 6 weeks until the result is announced

Fees

for free

Legal remedies

no

Legal basis

Funding guidelines for the allocation of project funds for the Hamburg label funding:


https://www.hamburg.de/contentblob/2362934/2196f66fcb433d94cba4bbd0a3bc166c/data/musik-label-foerderlinien.pdf

Links on hamburg.de

Address and contact information

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Keywords: Music label promotion Label promotion

Last updated: 06.02.2026