The international production platform FREISCHWIMMEN, consisting of brut Wien, FFT Düsseldorf, Gessnerallee Zürich, HochX München, LOFFT – DAS THEATER Leipzig, Schwankhalle Bremen, Sophiensæle Berlin and RAMPE Stuttgart, is starting a new chapter in the support of emerging artists in the independent performing arts with FREISCHWIMMEN light.
With this approach, the platform offers non-monetary support for a group of selected performing arts artists, focussing specifically on networking and sharing resources. FREISCHWIMMEN light is a necessary step in the continuation of the mission to promote the independent performing arts even under difficult financial conditions. The platform remains true to its goal of establishing sustainable structures for the independent performing arts community and supporting up-and-coming artists on their path to professionalisation.
Six artists and groups from six different cities have been selected for the 2025/26 period and will now be supported as part of this programme. The six selected artists and groups are
The selected artists and groups come from Germany, Austria and Switzerland and bring diverse artistic approaches and perspectives to the network. Their works range from object performances, VR installations and cookery shows to stand-up comedy and interventions in public spaces, and their interdisciplinary approaches constantly explore the boundaries of the performing arts. The support includes targeted networking and the provision of resources to offer artists a platform for exchange and creative development despite challenging conditions.
The central aim of FREISCHWIMMEN light is to continue to create a network structure and establish sustainable working and production methods for the independent scene, even without financial support. FREISCHWIMMEN wants to continue to support emerging artists in German-speaking countries who are on the threshold of professionalisation and are looking for new ways to present and develop their work.
Since 2024, FREISCHWIMMEN has no longer had any financial resources available to directly support artists, which is why the platform has been undergoing a transformation process, the result of which led to the decision to continue facilitating supra-regional networking, exchange formats, dramaturgical support and presentation spaces despite complicated funding policy conditions. Unfortunately, monetary support cannot be granted in this round either. However, FREISCHWIMMEN continues to endeavour to acquire funding in order to be able to continue its work as an international production platform in German-speaking countries.
FREISCHWIMMEN has been the production platform for independent performing arts in German-speaking countries for 20 years, consisting of brut Wien, FFT Düsseldorf, Gessnerallee Zürich, HochX München, LOFFT – DAS THEATER Leipzig, Schwankhalle Bremen, Sophiensæle Berlin und RAMPE Stuttgart. FREISCHWIMMEN has set itself the task of supporting artists and groups on the threshold of supra-regional visibility in their development and offering them the necessary space for their projects. Since 2004, over 80 artists have been part of FREISCHWIMMEN, including many now internationally successful positions such as Milo Rau, Monster Truck, God’s Entertainment, andcompany&Co., Thom Luz, Herbordt&Mohren, Fräulein Wunder AG, Turbo Pascal, Markus&Markus, Billinger&Schulz, Caroline Creutzburg, Simon Mayer and many more.
The big anniversary festival 10 Tage Freischwimmen, celebrating the platform’s 20th anniversary, was realised in Stuttgart in May 2024 with funding from the German Federal Cultural Foundation. In 2024 and 2025, FREISCHWIMMEN will receive network funding from the Fonds Darstellende Künste and will regularly organise symposia and network meetings, including as part of the Impulse Festival 2025.