Call for proposals: Ideas Contest 2025

Do you have an exciting project idea or are you pursuing a startup in the cultural and creative industries? Then participate alone or as a team in the annual ideas competition at the HMDK Stuttgart!

What is supported?

• Business ideas and start-up concepts
• Artistic projects that break traditional structures and/or target new audiences, e.g.:
  • New performance formats
  • Interdisciplinary and/or international collaborations, e.g. interdisciplinary projects
  • New artistic forms or experimental methods
• Artistic education projects
• Ideas related to digital media

The Prizes

1st Place: 4,000 €

2nd Place: 2,000 €

3rd Place: 1,000 €

Contest Process

From now until October 31, 2025, you can apply with your ideas at ideenwettbewerb@hmdk-stuttgart.de.

For the application, you will need a registration form, an idea description (exposé), a cost and financing plan, and a schedule.

The idea or concept will be evaluated by the jury not only in terms of content but also regarding the planned implementation (financially and timewise). The best ideas will be invited to a public presentation at the university on December 8, 2025, for the 2nd round.

Participants are recommended to attend one of the (Ideas)Workshops at the Career Service or the seminars in the field of Music Management & Music Education or Instrumental and Vocal Pedagogy at the HMDK Stuttgart to prepare for the competition.

Dates

• Summer semester 2025: Announcement of the competition
• October 31, 2025: End of application deadline
• November 13, 2025: Announcement of the results of the 1st round
• December 8, 2025, 6:00 pm, OPR: 2nd Round: You have 15 minutes (+10 min Q&A with the jury) to present your idea to the jury and audience in German or English. Following the presentations on December 8, 2025, the jury will announce the winners.

Winners must submit a project report to the Career Service by October 1, 2026.

Who Can Participate?

If you are a student at the HMDK Stuttgart, you are eligible to participate.
In a team application, HMDK Stuttgart graduates can also participate if at least 50% of the team members are enrolled students at HMDK Stuttgart.

Application and inquiries to: ideenwettbewerb@hmdk-stuttgart.de

Jury

• Prof. Dr. Hendrikje Mautner (Vice-President for Third Mission and Scientific Research)
• Jörg Schmidt (Head of KBB / Press and Public Relations)
• Frederik Zeugke (Acting / Theater Theory, Dramaturgy)
• NN (Member / General Student Council)
• NN (External Juror)
• Simone Enge, Head of Career Service, Competition Moderator

The competition is supported by the Society of Friends of the HMDK Stuttgart.