Ernst von Siemens Musikstiftung

The Ernst von Siemens Music Foundation was established in 1972 by Ernst von Siemens, grandson of the company founder Werner von Siemens, and began its work in early 1973. Since then, it has annually awarded the Ernst von Siemens Music Prize for lifetime achievements to outstanding composers, performers, or musicologists, endowed with 250,000 euros. In addition, the foundation supports festivals worldwide, concerts featuring premieres and revivals, composition commissions, symposia, and the publication of musicological writings. A special concern is the support of young talents through academies, workshops, as well as educational, children’s, and youth projects aimed at opening up contemporary music to new audiences. The selection of the funding awards is made exclusively on the proposal and decision of an international advisory board.

The Ernst von Siemens Music Foundation is committed to the promotion and dissemination of contemporary music worldwide. Through the Ernst von Siemens Music Prize and numerous project-based funding programs, it aims to recognize outstanding artistic achievements and support young musicians and composers in their artistic development. The foundation fosters a diverse musical culture that enables international cooperation, innovative formats, and intergenerational exchange between established artists and emerging talents.

The funding programs of the Ernst von Siemens Music Foundation are aimed at organizing institutions, festivals, and ensembles that wish to realize projects in the field of contemporary music. Only legal entities (cultural institutions, orchestra managers, festival organizers) are eligible to apply, provided they organize outstanding composition commissions, concert and festival projects, scholarly publications, or academies for young musicians. A focus is placed on worldwide exchange and the development of new target groups – especially children, youth, and an international specialist audience.