Schader-Festival 2026

Open Call

What could democracy look like today—and tomorrow? How can we actively shape it, move it forward, and bring it to life? And what ideas, visions, or experiments do we need so that democracy is not only discussed, but truly experienced and strengthened? This is exactly what the second Schader Festival is about.

Together with the World Design Capital Frankfurt RheinMain 2026—which will turn the entire region into a laboratory for future-oriented design—we are bringing together people from the social sciences and practice on September 4, 2026, to open up new perspectives on democracy.

Would you like to make democracy visible, audible, or tangible on the Schader Campus?

We are looking for creative, interactive, and participatory formats, such as: workshops and labs, artistic or performative contributions, discussion or dialogue formats, music acts, science slams, experimental talks—or something entirely new we haven’t seen before.

How to apply

Submit your ideas via our website by April 30.

Please address the following questions in your application:

• What is your idea?
• How does your format foster dialogue between social sciences and practice?
• Who is involved?
• What could the process or structure look like?
• Ideally, your format should last between 20 and 45 minutes.

You can apply here: www.schader-stiftung.de/festival26

The Schader Festival takes place this year in cooperation with the World Design Capital Frankfurt RheinMain 2026. It is also made possible by the Bürgerstiftung Darmstadt and Sparkasse Darmstadt.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact Luise Spieker at spieker@schader-stiftung.de