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Grants to municipalities for cultural projects

The Ministry of Culture awards subsidies to one or more projects taking place during the calendar year in Luxembourg.

These subsidies are intended for Luxembourg municipalities organizing events in the following fields:

  • visual arts, architecture, design, artisanry;
  • circus arts and street art;
  • audiovisual art production, art film and essay film;
  • dance;
  • literature;
  • music;
  • cultural heritage, history, folklore;
  • sociocultural subjects;
  • theatre and performing arts;
  • interdisciplinary subjects.

This subsidy is intended to help create conditions in which municipalities can carry out their cultural projects.

The Ministry of Culture focuses on projects that grant everyone access to culture, prioritising initiatives that are innovative, unique and capable of generating added value for the Luxembourg culture scene. Special attention is paid to projects centered on the creation of art with a strong regional, national or international influence.

Applications for a subsidy must be submitted to the Ministry of Culture at least 2 months before the project begins.

Form

Application for a subsidy by a municipality for the realisation of cultural projects (PDF)

Eligible municipalities

The subsidy is intended for Luxembourg municipalities that organise cultural events.

Non-profit organisations and individuals can apply for subsidies using the respective forms provided.

Eligible projects

The Ministry of Culture may award subsidies for municipalities carrying out the following cultural projects in Luxembourg (non-exhaustive list):

  • festivals and special cultural events;
  • conferences;
  • residency projects in Luxembourg;
  • competitions and awards (the Ministry of Culture may offer one or more awards);
  • educational projects and master classes;
  • events for young audience;
  • exhibitions
  • authors' readings
  • commissioned compositions

Ineligible projects

The Ministry of Culture does not award subsidies to municipalities for the following cultural projects in Luxembourg:

  • projects that meet the selection criteria for a different grant awarded by the Ministry of Culture;
  • projects with no artistic or cultural dimension;
  • projects intended to raise funds for charity;
  • projects commissioned by an association or establishment that is party to a convention with the Ministry of Culture;
  • projects that do not generate added value for Luxembourg;
  • projects that form part of a primary school, secondary school or university curriculum;
  • operating costs or employee salaries;
  • acquisitions of fixed assets, existing projects or instruments;
  • the construction, acquisition, rental or renovation of rehearsal spaces;
  • projects in tourism.
  • projects funded by Luxembourg's FilmFund;
  • dance projects eligible for TROIS C-L (the Ministry of Culture has commissioned TROIS C-L to manage financial aid granted to dance projects in Luxembourg);

Deadlines

Municipalities wishing to receive this subsidy must submit a complete application postmarked no later than 2 months before the beginning of the project.

Applications submitted after this deadline or after the project execution will be rejected.

Example: for projects scheduled to begin on 1 June, the application deadline is 1 April.

Practical arrangements

Filing an application

Applications must contain the application form for a subsidy for associations carrying out cultural projects, in addition to the following documents:

  • an itemised estimated budget for the project for which the application is being submitted;
  • an activity report for the past year;
  • an income statement (income and expenses) for the past year (in the case of a recurring project);
  • any other supporting documentation that may be useful for the application.

Applicants must complete the application form:

  • using a computer;
  • in French, German, Luxembourgish or English.

Municipalities must return a duly completed and signed form, accompanied by all the documents requested, to the Ministry of Culture by post or by e-mail to the address: subsides@mc.etat.lu.

Once it has received the application, the Ministry of Culture will send the applicant one of the following documents:

  • either a confirmation of receipt, if the application is complete;
  • or a letter listing the documents still to be submitted in order to complete the application.

Only complete applications will be processed.

Selection criteria

The advisory body to the Minister for Culture, composed of management officials of the Ministry of Culture and officials from the Ministry's cultural and financial departments, ordinarily meets once every 2 months to review applications for subsidies based on the following criteria:

  • the project's innovative character and artistic quality, i.e. the unique and innovative aspects of the project as described in the application. Applicants should show how the project supports the production of quality original art;
  • project management and feasibility, i.e. how well-conceived the project is. Applicants should include a clear and precise description of the different project phases leading from its conception to its realisation;
  • the project budget plan, i.e. an estimated budget that is detailed, clear and realistic. Applicants should show that the requested subsidy is crucial to the project and must list all other sources of funding (public and private). Applicants are encouraged to seek sources of funding in addition to public subsidies;
  • audience development, social impact and cultural value added for Luxembourg, like how the project will find and reach its audience, which should be clearly explained in the application for a subsidy. Will the impact be local, regional, national or international? Applicants should also identify ways in which the project will benefit society and the culture scene in Luxembourg;

The advisory body will form an opinion on whether an application is eligible for a subsidy, and if necessary, on the amount to be awarded. The Ministry will inform the applicant of its decision by post and any subsidy will be transferred to the beneficiary as soon as possible.

Grant amount

Subsidies awarded in the form of a direct payment of public financial aid to the beneficiary, usually before the project is carried out.

Subsidies awarded by the Ministry of Culture will generally cover no more than 60% of the total cost of the project for which the application was submitted.

Obligations of the municipality

Once the subsidy has been granted, the municipality must meet several conditions:

  • they may only use the subsidy to pay costs and expenses related to the project for which the application was submitted;
  • they must print "Avec le soutien du ministère de la Culture" (Supported by the Ministry of Culture) together with the Ministry's logo on all materials provided to the public for the purposes of presentation, information or advertising, including on the relevant website.
  • the municipality must provide the Ministry with any information or document deemed necessary for the processing and follow-up of the file (change or cancellation of the project, etc.)

Contact organisation

Ministry of Culture - subsidy counter

E-mail : subsides@mc.etat.lu
Phone : (+352) 247 - 86615 (09:00 am - 11:30 am)

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