The Sozialwerk Foundation of VG Bild-Kunst is an independent foundation under civil law. Within the scope of its possibilities, it provides financial support to authors in the visual arts in personal emergencies, in the event of incapacity to work or professional disability, and in old age. There is no legal entitlement to benefits from the foundation.
The financial resources flow into three different funds of the foundation:
• Occupational group I Visual artists
• Occupational group II Photography, graphic design, illustration
• Occupational group III Film
The foundation receives its funds primarily from the proceeds of VG Bild-Kunst for the exploitation of copyrights. The share to be paid to the foundation is specified in the distribution plan of VG Bild-Kunst. The foundation receives additional funds from donations and bequests.
Application and allocation of funds
The application forms required for an application for support are provided by the Sozialwerk foundation.
In principle, all authors who are members of VG Bild-Kunst and their surviving spouses or registered partners can submit an application to the Social Welfare Foundation, provided they meet the requirements listed below.
Honorary members of VG Bild-Kunst who serve on the committees of VG Bild-Kunst and the Foundation are not eligible to apply.
When submitting an application, it should be noted that the benefits provided by the VG Bild-Kunst Social Welfare Foundation are not a substitute for statutory social benefits, but rather a form of assistance for authors in emergency situations. If social benefits such as cost-of-living assistance or basic income support in retirement are already being received, the individual's necessary living expenses are covered.
Supplementary support from the Social Welfare Foundation can only be granted if the competent authority confirms that the support will not be counted towards their social benefits.
The following benefits may be approved:
- Support in acute emergencies, e.g. through one-off or temporary assistance in the form of bridging payments to maintain existing obligations, or
- ongoing support in cases of long-term need or underprovision due to accident, illness, or retirement, and
- support in the form of loans.
Support can only be granted if the following conditions are met:
1. Proof of creative activity, which must be provided by:
- documentation of activity in the visual or artistic sector (e.g., by submitting exhibition catalogs),
- submission of copies of appropriate documents (e.g., training documents or diplomas),
- proof of membership in a recognized professional organization.
2. Proof of personal hardship:
- To this end, the application form must be returned, completed in full and legibly, personal financial circumstances must be disclosed, and the extent of the need for support must be documented by means of appropriate documents (e.g., medical certificates, accident reports, cost estimates, etc.).
- In the case of an acute emergency, this must also be documented with appropriate supporting documents.
Patricia Tarlinsky
Social Welfare Foundation Office / Geschäftsstelle Stiftung Sozialwerk
Tel.: 0228 91534 22, Fax: 0228 91534 39
Email: @email