KALEIDOSKOP -
Award for Cultural Variety
2026
In a diverse society, we need places and projects that facilitate encounters, foster dialogue, and strengthen mutual respect. It is precisely where different life experiences intersect that the potential for new perspectives emerges—when opportunities for exchange are created. The unifying power of art and culture plays a central role in this.
This is where KALEIDOSKOP comes in: The goal is to focus on the social impact of art and culture and to put it into practice through concrete collaborations. In this way, cultural participation can be supported and social cohesion strengthened.
The Awards Ceremony
On Saturday, June 13, the KALEIDOSKOP Incentive Award was presented as part of the DU_Kultur|en_Festival. The three winning projects were honored in a festive ceremony on the main stage—in the presence of jury members Dr. Christian Esch, Aslı Sevindim, and Tine Vogt.
You can find photos from the award ceremony in our photo gallery.
Photo credits: David Motz and Gruppe C Photography / Luisa Walleneit
Criteria for Selection
The selection of funded projects is carried out by an independent panel of experts. The focus is on projects that convincingly combine artistic quality with social relevance and have the potential for a lasting impact.
Who is eligible for funding:
- Funding is available for projects based on a partnership of equals between an artistic partner and a social organization.
- Both parties must clearly contribute their respective expertise and ensure that the collaboration is substantively sound.
- Culture should not be thought of as something isolated, but rather understood as a unifying force—as a space for encounter, participation, and dialogue.
- Projects that enable (new) alliances bring together different perspectives and have a tangible social impact.
Key criteria include:
- A coherent social purpose for the project
- The quality and professionalism of the artistic execution
- Reach and accessibility for the defined target audience
- A plausible and transparent project and financial plan
- As well as the potential to generate momentum beyond the specific project
Apply
Applications were submitted using our online form. All required fields and necessary documents had to be uploaded in the sections.
application form
Documents to be submitted:
- Project Description: Overview of the project concept, target audience, partners, and the aspired social impact
- Budget Plan: A transparent overview of the requested grant amount and the planned use of funds. Please use the provided template for this purpose: Cost and Budget Plan Template
- Specify which of the three funding levels the project is applying for (50,000 euros, 30,000 euros, or 20,000 euros for projects in Duisburg)
- Proof of non-profit status
Application deadline was on April 26, 2026
The Jury
The jury of experts was appointed by Kulturkreis and consists of professionals from social and cultural sectors as well as individuals with experience working with the target groups. The jury is further supplemented by a representative from our funding partner TARGOBANK and a representative from Kulturkreis:
Mechthild Eickhoff, Geschäftsführerin Fonds Soziokultur
Dr. Christian Esch, Kulturmanager, Direktor NRW KULTURsekretariat a.D.
Krystian Lada, Programmdirektor Ruhrtriennale
Louwrens Langevoort, Kulturmanager
Rodger Masou, Geschäftsführer Kulturkreis der deutschen Wirtschaft
Kathleen Rahn, Direktorin Marta Herford
Aslı Sevindim, Integrationsbeauftragte NRW
Tine Vogt, Geschäftsleitung TARGOBANK Kundencenter Standort Duisburg
You can find detailed information about the jury here.
Info Sessions
To provide interested participants with more detailed information about the funding initiative and to answer any questions regarding the application process, we held two information sessions:
- Online information session on April 9, 2026, from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m.
- Information evening in Düsseldorf on April 14, 2026, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Theatermuseum Düsseldorf, which also provided an opportunity for discussion and networking among potential collaboration partners.
Digital consultation sessions
For specific questions regarding funding, application materials, and the selection process, a digital appointment with Dr. Alexandra Schildhauer could be booked directly through the system.
Timeline
- Call for applications opens: March 23, 2026
- Digital info session: April 9, 2026
- Info session in Düsseldorf: April 14, 2026
- Application deadline: April 26, 2026
- Jury meeting: May 2026
- Award ceremony in Duisburg: June 13, 2026
TARGOBANK is part of TARGO Deutschland GmbH and has nearly 100 years of experience in the German banking market. It serves approximately 4 million private, business, and corporate customers.
The range of products and services for private customers includes accounts and cards, loans, investment and wealth management products, and insurance (through ACM Deutschland). The business model is complemented by offerings for business and corporate customers, including an auto bank. Through its corporate banking division, TARGOBANK provides corporate and specialized financing for upper-mid-market companies, as well as financing solutions in the areas of factoring, leasing, and investment financing
To stay close to its customers, TARGOBANK operates approximately 340 branches in more than 250 cities across Germany and is available online and by phone 24/7.
TARGOBANK is headquartered in Düsseldorf. It employs 7,700 people across Germany, approximately 3,000 of whom are based in Duisburg, where the customer service center and IT department are located. The company also has offices in Mainz (factoring) and Frankfurt (TARGOBANK Corporate Banking).
TARGO Deutschland GmbH is a subsidiary of the cooperative Crédit Mutuel Alliance Fédérale, one of the largest and financially strongest banks in Europe.
Your Contact Persons
If you have general questions about KALEIDOSKOP, the application process, or other topics, please feel free to email us at kaleidoskop@kulturkreis.eu at any time.
