Funding priorities highlight socially relevant topics from a cultural perspective.

Since 2021, the LWL-Kulturstiftung has supplemented its general funding activities with thematic priorities. In doing so, it provides impetus for current and future challenges of our coexistence.

Funding priority 2028 "AI & Culture"

A themed year on artificial intelligence in culture is planned for 2028. The application deadlines for the new funding priority are August 31, 2026 and February 28, 2027.

The idea for “AI and culture” was inspired by the Westphalian Culture Conference of the Landschaftsverband Westfalen-Lippe 2025, which was also dedicated to this complex of topics.

There, Dr. Barbara Rüschoff-Parzinger, board member of the LWL-Kulturstiftung and head of the LWL cultural department, emphasized:

“It’s important that we address fears, but at the same time don’t forget the joy: AI can enrich us, but only if we understand it and shape it ourselves.”

With the new funding focus, the LWL-Kulturstiftung is translating this topic into practical cultural work. .

Anniversary year 2025 "1250 years of Westphalia"

The Westphalians were first mentioned in a report in the Frankish imperial annals in 775. In 2025, the LWL-Kulturstiftung honored this anniversary with a cultural program for the anniversary year "1250 Jahre Westfalen".

Facts, figures and data:

44 Cultural projects
3 million euros in funding
More than 500 events in Westphalia-Lippe
Central exhibition 775-Westphalia at LWL-Museum in der Kaiserpfalz
The patron was Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier

Theme year 2024 "POWR! Postcolonial Westphalia-Lippe"

Under the title "POWR! Postcolonial Westphalia-Lippe" in 2024, creative artists turned their attention to the region's colonial past and its impact and significance for our society today.

Facts, figures and data:

22 Cultural projects
1.5 million euros in funding
Around 300 events in Westphalia-Lippe
Central exhibition This is colonial. Westphalia’s (in)visible heritage at the LWL-Museum Zeche Zollern, Dortmund
Scientific advisory board supported the funding priority in an advisory capacity

Themed year "#2021jlid - Jewish life in Germany"

On the occasion of the nationwide theme year "#2021JLID - Jewish Life in Germany", the LWL-Kulturstiftung announced its first funding focus.

Facts, figures and data:

22 Cultural projects
800,000 euros in funding
More than 135 events in Westphalia-Lippe (and digital)
Cooperation with the nationwide association
Cooperation with the Landschaftsverband Rheinland (LVR)

Series of events 2023 "375 years of the Peace of Westphalia"

The LWL-Kulturstiftung took part in the celebrations to mark the 375th anniversary of the Peace of Westphalia with a series of events that shed light on the peace negotiations and conclusion outside the two centers of Münster and Osnabrück as part of cultural offerings.

Contacts, downloads and FAQ

Corinna Grundmann

Jonas Koch

Lina Kumpmann

Anja Tomasoni