About the Scholarship Provider – Pop-Kultur Festival & Goethe-Institut
The Goethe-Institut is a non-profit German cultural association operating worldwide with 159 institutes. It promotes the study of the German language abroad and encourages international cultural exchange and relations.
Pop-Kultur is an international festival held annually in Berlin, Germany. The festival revolves around three main components: live events (including music performances, readings, and film screenings), a talent program called Pop-Kultur Nachwuchs (which connects young talents from around the world with established artists), and networking opportunities that bring together key figures in the local and international creative industries in a casual setting.
In 2023, the Pop-Kultur Festival, in collaboration with the Goethe-Institut, will be awarding scholarships to young musicians from the Global South, North Africa-West Asia (NAWA), and (Central) Asia. Selected students will have the opportunity to spend twelve action-packed days in Berlin, swapping their home base for the musical metropolis.
About the Goethe Talents Scholarship Programme – Fields Covered
The Goethe Talents Scholarship program, in cooperation with the Pop-Kultur Festival and Goethe-Institut, invites students to apply for the 2023 scholarship. The program will take place in Berlin, Germany, from 24 August to 24 September 2023.
Scholarships will be awarded to young composers, singers, songwriters, or instrumentalists from transitioning or developing countries, including South Africa (refer to the DAC List of ODA Recipients for eligible countries).
During the program, students will engage in various activities to experience the music scene in Berlin before the festival begins. These activities include studio visits, intensive jam sessions, short traineeships in selected companies within Berlin’s creative industries, listening sessions, meetings with Musicboard Berlin GmbH scholarship holders and former Goethe Talents alumni, as well as attending concerts and other activities.
Expenses Covered & Other Benefits
The scholarship will cover the following expenses: participation fee, accommodation, travel expenses, hospitality (per diem), flights, and assistance with visa issues.
Scholars will also receive the following benefits:
- A free festival ticket and access to Pop-Kultur’s networking area for professionals, provided by Musicboard Berlin.
- Organized accommodation with breakfast included.
- Health insurance coverage.
- Public transportation within Berlin.
- Networking opportunities, including studio times for direct acoustic exchange and learning from and with other participants.
- Participation in the Pop-Kultur Nachwuchs program, where international professionals will offer personal insights into their work through workshops, case studies, and talks with participants.
Eligibility Requirements for the Goethe Talents Scholarship
Applicants must meet the following minimum eligibility criteria before applying:
- Must be from a country within the Global South, the Middle East, or (Central) Asia.
- Must be between the ages of 20 and 30.
- Must be a musician, composer, singer-songwriter, or instrumentalist.
- Must have a desire to work professionally in the music field or further develop their musical talent.
- Must have work experience in the field of music, with proof of participation in at least three projects.
- Must have advanced English skills (at least level B2).
How to Apply for the Goethe Talents Scholarship
Applications must be submitted online through the Goethe Talents Scholarship Application 2023 portal. When registering, applicants should enter “UNI24.CO.ZA” in the field asking how they heard about the Goethe Talents Scholarship.
Required supporting documents to be uploaded with the online application include a portrait photo, information about the applicant’s work (bio, influences, etc.), reasons for their interest in the Goethe Talents program and why they would like to participate, three or more projects or pieces of creative work, a link to a live performance, and a short talk (approximately 15 minutes) about the applicant’s experience in the music field and the music scene in their country.
Selection for the Goethe Talents Scholarship
The scholarship program will select eight talented individuals from around the world, offering them opportunities for cross-border networking. Participants will have a chance to perform on the Nachwuchs stage during one of the evenings of the Pop-Kultur Live program. Special nights may also be organized for artists to perform in front of a public audience.
An expert jury will choose the eight talents for the scholarship program and notify the selected applicants by the end of May 2023. The scholarship program will commence on 24 August (arrival day) and conclude on 4 September (departure day).
Closing Date for the Goethe Talents Scholarship
The closing date for the Goethe Talents Scholarship is 3 April 2023. Applications submitted after this date will not be accepted. Applicants are advised to apply before the closing date to ensure their application is considered.
Contact Information for the Goethe Talents Scholarship Provider
For any queries related to this scholarship program, please contact the Pop-Kultur Festival directly through their contact page: Pop-Kultur Festival Contact Page.
