The Independent Arts Scene Munich

The independent arts have always been an essential part of Munich’s cultural life.
We are the artistic counterbalance to the mainstream – the subculture that keeps the city alive, diverse, and truly metropolitan.

In the past, Munich’s independent scene produced internationally influential artists – from Hugo Ball, Emmy Hennings, and Mary Wigman to Gerhard Polt and Liesl Karlstadt.
Also today, outstanding works in the independent performing arts are created in Munich, resonating far beyond the city’s borders.

At the same time, the so-called “world city with a heart” remains a challenging place for independent art: high living costs and rents threaten our working spaces and production structures, and many artists continue to work under precarious conditions.

To ensure the quality, visibility, and professionalism of the independent performing arts in Munich, we work together to promote fair conditions, sustainable funding, and cultural diversity.