Our network is decentralised and thrives on active members who are committed to the interests of producers and to working together with their colleagues at produktionsbande. We have established a framework for this collaborative work, defining decision-making processes and committees. Although we are legally structured as an association, produktionsbande is primarily a network that has consciously adopted alternative forms and approaches outside the scope of the association in order to establish more tailored models of collaborative work and action that fit our network's demands.
decision-making
Within produktionsbande, we work with a consensus process that comes to decisions by asking for resistance rather than simple majorities. There are a total of three levels within our network:
(I) individual
(II) working group
(III) jour fixe
Each of the three levels can make decisions. If an instance does not want to make a decision at its own discretion, it passes this on to the next instance.
jour fixe
The jour fixe is a regular online meeting and at the same time the central decision-making body within our network. So far, it has taken place every two weeks, always on Wednesdays for two hours. Anyone at produktionsbande can attend the jour fixe.
Participants discuss topics brought up by network members and working groups. In addition, all attendees have the right to discuss and vote on proposed decisions.
The example of the jour fixe shows that although we are primarily a network organized as an association, we have found a system that attempts to concentrate decision-making authority not on roles (board, general meeting) but on a specific time slot (the jour fixe and working group meetings).
The network activities are accompanied by three coordinators. We deliberately do not see the coordination team as a management body, but rather as an overview and communication body within and outside the network.
sasha (person on the left in the picture) is the contact person for the finance & administration focus. They are also a producer for performing arts and dance. Since 2021 sasha is part of tools for friction, an open collaboration of freelance producers and dramaturges in Berlin.
sofie (person on the right in the picture) was produktionsbande's contact person for the formats focus until August 2025. She is also a creative producer, production dramaturg and supporter for dance and independent performing arts. Since 2018 she has been part of the performance group THE AGENCY. Since 2020 she is working closely with survivor, supporter and choreographer caner teker.
Martin (person in the middle in the picture) is the contact person for the communication focus. He lives in Frankfurt am Main and, in addition to produktionsbande, is a freelance producer for contemporary performances and copywriter for artists and networks.
There are three ways to become a member of produktionsbande: as an accomplice, as an active member of the network and as a member of the association. Members can be individuals, production offices, associations or institutions.
purpose of membership
With produktionsbande, we specifically want to make visible and strengthen the professional image of producers in the independent performing arts in Germany. For membership in produktionsbande, we therefore pay attention to whether applicants exclusively produce their own artistic projects - but see themselves primarily as artists, curators, directors, etc. - or whether they work as producers with and for third parties. We also examine the extent to which the producer perspective plays a role for institutions. Due to the association's orientation and funding structures, a connection to Germany is also advantageous. This can mean Representation of artists/groups/organizers active in Germany, own place of residence or work in Germany, etc. All incoming applications will be reviewed and confirmed on a quarterly basis.
You can simply send your application for membership using the form below. Applications are checked and confirmed on a quarterly basis. So please don't be surprised if it takes a little while before you receive a confirmation or rejection. We will be in touch.
accomplices
As an accomplice, you support produktionsbande ideally and mark that the work of our network, especially the strengthening of the actors and the professional image of production managers and producers in the independent performing arts, is important to you.
active part of the network
We organize the network work of produktionsbande jointly in working groups. These working groups are dedicated to selected topics, formats and activities in the field of artistic production within the independent performing arts. The interim status and results are presented at the bi-weekly Jour Fixe. The Jour Fixe is the most important decision-making body for the network work of produktionsbande. This is where current topics can be discussed and decisions made by consensus.
Since 2024, produktionsbande's network program has also been affected by budget cuts. As a result, our program is initially limited to the formats and working groups that are already running.
If you are interested in active and paid participation in the working groups, you can contact martin by email for an individual onboarding. In the onboarding, we will briefly introduce the network work and structure and look together at how and where it is conceivable and financially feasible for you and the working groups to get involved.
association member
As a protagonist in artistic production in the independent performing arts, you can become a member of our association as an individual or with your organization or institution at any time. We do not differentiate between active or passive, regular or institutional members. Everyone is an equal member of the association. As part of our association, you or your organization/institution have a vote at our general meetings. In this way, you support our association structurally and help shape it internally. In addition, your annual association membership fee helps our network to finance costs that we cannot cover through funding.
association membership fees
At the general meeting of 19.06.2023 we decided to set a graduated annual membership fee for members of the association from 2023 on: Depending on the type of membership, a base amount will be set with a possible reduction of 50%, as a solidarity offer. Membership fees are used for running costs that cannot be covered by funding. The association does not make a profit with it.
The base amounts, according to membership type, are set as follows:
for individual entrepreneurs: 60.00 € per year (instead of 50.00 €)
for offices (independent legal associations, civil law association (GbR), Ltd. (GmbH)): 120.00 € per year (instead of 100.00 €)
for institutions: 500.00 € per year (instead of 200.00 €)
When you apply, you indicate which membership type best suits your status and you can decide for yourself whether you need the 50% solidarity reduction. If your status and/or reduction needs change during the course of your membership, an adjustment is possible at a later date.
produktionsbande currently has the status of a small business. The membership fees mentioned are shown without value added tax (VAT). To pay the membership fees, we send the invoice once a year via e-mail.
We are very happy, if with your membership, you decide to support the joint project of produktionsbande - a network of and for production managers - in the long term.