Regional Network
Meaningful promotion of pop culture, pop music, and the music scene in Baden-Württemberg can only be achieved and sustainably established in cooperation with the regions.
The Popakademie Baden-Württemberg's RegioNet therefore not only strengthens the scene in Mannheim, but also supports numerous projects and structures in other cities and regions of the state. Through cooperation with the pop culture centers of Freiburg, Karlsruhe, Mannheim, Stuttgart, Ulm, and the Neckar-Alb, Lake Constance-Upper Swabia, and Heilbronn-Franconia regions, networking, exchange, and the establishment of long-term structures for promoting pop culture are being implemented.
Statewide promotion of pop culture with regional roots
Michael Herberger:
“We connect people, ideas, and regions to raise the profile of pop culture in Baden-Württemberg, strengthen it, and develop it further together.”
RegioNet emerged from discussions and initiatives over recent years. Its principles were incorporated into the recommendations of the Baden-Württemberg State Ministry's working group on promoting popular and youth music in Baden-Württemberg.The focus is on linking existing structures and networks and ensuring continuous exchange between the Popakademie and regional stakeholders. The aim is to maintain and further develop sustainable, diverse, and vibrant pop music promotion in all regions of the state.The following tasks are carried out in the pop culture centers of the regions:
In addition, RegioNet is committed to promoting a strong cultural and economic perception of pop music. Existing know-how and established networks enable efficient, practical, and effective support measures throughout the state. With the action plan developed as part of the POPLÄND process for the further development of pop music promotion in Baden-Württemberg, an independent POPLÄND subsidy was created for the first time in 2025. The funds are allocated to the Popakademie Baden-Württemberg by the Baden-Württemberg Ministry of Science, Research, and the Arts (MWK) and from there—in accordance with the funding agreements concluded with the partner regions—forwarded in a targeted manner to the regional pop music promotion structures.
The POPLÄND subsidy aims to further develop regional pop music and pop culture promotion in Baden-Württemberg in a targeted manner and to create additional scope for creative actors.It supplements the existing RegioNet funding, which primarily secures the continuous basic structure of regional pop promotion, with two new content priorities:
In addition, the POPLÄND grant contributes to the gradual expansion of the RegioNet network by preparing and supporting the integration of additional regions into the state-wide structure for promoting pop music.This creates a sustainable, inclusive, and dynamic music network that strengthens and further develops the pop culture of Baden-Württemberg in the long term.
- Consulting and coaching
- Training and further education
- Communication and networking
- Events and projects
- Development of infrastructure and framework conditions
In addition, RegioNet is committed to promoting a strong cultural and economic perception of pop music. Existing know-how and established networks enable efficient, practical, and effective support measures throughout the state. With the action plan developed as part of the POPLÄND process for the further development of pop music promotion in Baden-Württemberg, an independent POPLÄND subsidy was created for the first time in 2025. The funds are allocated to the Popakademie Baden-Württemberg by the Baden-Württemberg Ministry of Science, Research, and the Arts (MWK) and from there—in accordance with the funding agreements concluded with the partner regions—forwarded in a targeted manner to the regional pop music promotion structures.
POPLÄND subsidy
The POPLÄND subsidy aims to further develop regional pop music and pop culture promotion in Baden-Württemberg in a targeted manner and to create additional scope for creative actors.It supplements the existing RegioNet funding, which primarily secures the continuous basic structure of regional pop promotion, with two new content priorities:
- Low-threshold micro-funding programs
Support for artists, bands, and live music organizers who want to implement artistic projects and smaller event formats in an unbureaucratic manner. - Regional projects of a model and innovative nature
Projects that go beyond regular basic funding and provide new impetus for the development of pop culture—for example, in the areas of diversity, sustainability, awareness, accessibility, digitization, or participation, always in the context of pop cultural activities.
In addition, the POPLÄND grant contributes to the gradual expansion of the RegioNet network by preparing and supporting the integration of additional regions into the state-wide structure for promoting pop music.This creates a sustainable, inclusive, and dynamic music network that strengthens and further develops the pop culture of Baden-Württemberg in the long term.
RegioNet Partners
Popbüro Region Stuttgart
The Popbüro Region Stuttgart (Pop Office of the Stuttgart Region) is part of the Wirtschaftsförderung Region Stuttgart GmbH and is supported by the MedienRegion Stuttgart, the FilmComission Region Stuttgart and the Stuttgarter Jugendhaus gGmbH. The Popbüro is tasked with promoting pop culture, music and aspiring artists as well as music companies and startups: new business models, young go-getters and young, emerging musicians are meant to profit from the Popbüro Region Stuttgart. It is focused on developing the region and its communication, education and sustainable, social cultural offerings. Contact
Birgit Häbich/Walter Ercolino
Fon: +49711 48909710
Mail: info@popbuero.de
Web: www.popbuero.de
Birgit Häbich/Walter Ercolino
Fon: +49711 48909710
Mail: info@popbuero.de
Web: www.popbuero.de
Freiburg
The city of Freiburg boasts not only a high-quality classical music scene and a prevalent jazz culture, but also a lively band culture in the rock and pop scene. Traditional large-scale events such as the International Tent Music Festival are known far and wide. Multicore e.V., the Freiburg Initiative for Live Musik, is responsible for actively supporting the live music scene in daily life in Freiburg. The Jazz & Rock Schools of Freiburg offer education and continuing education in popular music. The state-recognised degree programme in Jazz & Rock trains and educates professional musicians. In addition, Freiburg offers courses and workshops for music educators as well as private and band lessons for hobby musicians. Contact
Christian Pertschy
Fon: +49 761 3688890
Mail: info@jrs.org
Web: Jazz & Rock Schulen Freiburg
Christian Pertschy
Fon: +49 761 3688890
Mail: info@jrs.org
Web: Jazz & Rock Schulen Freiburg
PopNetz Karlsruhe
PopNetz Karlsruhe is an open group of individuals, institutions and companies that support young rock and pop musicians. It consists of the cultural centres Substage, Jubez and Tempel, the Music Station and the Musikschule Intakt, as well as the Kulturamt and the Wirtschaftsförderung der Stadt Karlsruhe. The PopNetz is organised as a working group aimed at collecting know-how and experience from all actors and making it available to all musicians and young companies. Contact
Vivien Avena
Fon: +49721 783115-12
Mail: vivien@substage.de
Web: www.popnetz.de
Vivien Avena
Fon: +49721 783115-12
Mail: vivien@substage.de
Web: www.popnetz.de
Popbastion Region Ulm Donau
The popbastion.ulm is an institution for supporting the rock and pop music scene in Ulm and its surroundings. Founded in 2002, it is supported by the Kulturabteilung der Stadt Ulm and the Stadtjugendring Ulm e.V.Through collaboration with municipal, regional and state partners from the arts, youth services, business and education, the popbastion.ulm initiates creative processes, diverse projects and all kinds of events. It offers consulting, qualification and networking within the music scene and beyond, and ranges from coordinating rehearsal and performance opportunities and workshops to implementing projects with various partners. One focus of its work is in music and social pedagogy, enabling immigrants and families lacking education to take part in the artistic, cultural happenings in society. Contact
Laurin Basler
Fon: +49731 1406920
Mail: popbastion@sjr-ulm.de
Web: www.popbastion.de
Laurin Basler
Fon: +49731 1406920
Mail: popbastion@sjr-ulm.de
Web: www.popbastion.de
Popförderung Mannheim
To strengthen Mannheim as a destination for music, the city established a position for a commissioner for music and pop culture. This position is the communal interface between all institutionalised and free activities in Mannheim’s pop culture scene. Its focus is on networking in the creative industries and establishing structures. Mannheim tasked itself with refining and expanding its position as a centre of competence for music and pop culture and to develop new approaches for supporting creative industries at the community level. Contact
Beril Yilmam-Kohl
Fon: +49621 293 2254
Mail: Beril.Yilmam-Kohl@mannheim.de
Web: www.mannheim.de
Beril Yilmam-Kohl
Fon: +49621 293 2254
Mail: Beril.Yilmam-Kohl@mannheim.de
Web: www.mannheim.de
Popbüro Region Neckar-Alb
The Popbüro Neckar-Alb is the first point of contact in popular music for all bands, companies, public offices and associations in the region Tübingen/Reutlingen/Balingen. The Popbüro organises regular courses, seminars, trainings and workshops. In addition, events, industry meet-ups and projects and coordinated centrally and in close cooperation with businesses, communities, youth-related and cultural institutions and individual artists and experts. It also offers industry-specific advising in cooperation with experts for bands and emerging artists.Contact
Aram Jaich
Fon: +497121 3032355
Mail: aram.jaich@reutlingen.de
Web: www.popbuero-neckaralb.de/
Aram Jaich
Fon: +497121 3032355
Mail: aram.jaich@reutlingen.de
Web: www.popbuero-neckaralb.de/
Popbüro Bodensee-Oberschwaben
The Popbüro Bodensee-Oberschwaben is a project of the city of Ravensburg in cooperation with the Musikschule and the Jugendhaus Ravensburg. In the focal point of the office, the audio lab in the Jugendhaus, young musical talents and bands receive support, advice and help with common projects. Highlights include the annual music week in autumn as well as individual projects at schools. Contact
Michael Wielath
Fon: +49 751 17987
Mail: info@set-free.de
Web: Popbüro Bodensee-Oberschwaben
Michael Wielath
Fon: +49 751 17987
Mail: info@set-free.de
Web: Popbüro Bodensee-Oberschwaben
Popbüro Heilbronn-Franken
The city of Heilbronn promotes cultural activities in the city through funding programs (project and structural funding) and regular events that provide a stage for the cultural scene.Contact
Dr. Heike Denscheilmann
Fon: +497131 56 2415
Mail: heike.denscheilmann@heilbronn.de
Dr. Heike Denscheilmann
Fon: +497131 56 2415
Mail: heike.denscheilmann@heilbronn.de