Child Musicians (Helmut Behn Foundation)

The funding program of the Helmut Behn Foundation is aimed at non-profit and public organizations as well as educational institutions in North Rhine-Westphalia that wish to establish a weekly music program in kindergartens in Cologne. Over a period of 24 months, each participating institution receives start-up funding for the acquisition of instruments and partial financing of fees for music educators. With the involvement of the childcare staff, age-appropriate small groups are formed in which the children experience fundamental music practice in a playful manner. The goal is to provide all children – regardless of their family background – with a holistic access to musical education, promoting musicality, creativity, motor skills, as well as perceptual and social competencies equally.

Approval requires cooperation with the educational staff and proof of sustainable continuation of the project, as well as a willingness to integrate reform-pedagogical approaches. The funding is granted as a subsidy, and applications can be submitted continuously. Through close collaboration between music educators, childcare staff, and, if applicable, neighboring string instrument schools, a comprehensive concept is developed that integrates thematic blocks into everyday kindergarten life and involves parents at an early stage. Accompanying parent-child formats and preparatory concert visits complete the offer. This not only strengthens the individual personality of the children but also sustainably anchors the cultural participation of the entire institution.