October 21, 2026

Deutsche Bank becomes the sponsor of the FEDORA Education Prize to foster connection, participation and access to the performing arts in Europe

FEDORA, the European platform supporting innovation in opera and dance, announces Deutsche Bank as the new sponsor of the FEDORA Education Prize 2027. As the first major European bank to sponsor the FEDORA Prizes, Deutsche Bank will contribute to FEDORA’s mission to foster innovation in opera and dance, helping projects develop new ways of connecting the performing arts with audiences and communities across Europe.

The partnership will continue to advance projects that use opera and dance as vehicles for connection, participation and learning, with a particular focus on expanding access to the performing arts and creating opportunities for diverse communities across Europe to engage with them. It will also contribute to the development of projects that explore new approaches to education, social inclusion and participation through the performing arts.

Lionel Dormann, Head of Wealth Management Luxembourg, France and the Netherlands, at Deutsche Bank commented: “With our longstanding commitment to supporting culture and creating opportunities for people to engage with the arts, we are pleased to partner with FEDORA and support its Education Prize. The partnership reflects our belief in the power of culture to foster empathy, participation and new perspectives. We look forward to supporting innovative projects that bring opera and dance closer to diverse communities.”

Britta Färber, Global Head of Art & Culture at Deutsche Bank, said: “Supporting culture is part of our responsibility to society. It means helping outstanding artistic talent flourish, fostering excellence, and opening new perspectives for diverse audiences. Partnerships, such as our long-term collaboration with the Berliner Philharmoniker, have shown what can be achieved when leading cultural institutions and committed partners work together with trust and shared purpose. With FEDORA, we are bringing this experience to another European platform that champions artistic excellence, supports emerging talent, broadens participation, and creates lasting connections.”

Stéphane Argyropoulos, President of FEDORA, said: “Public-private partnerships play an essential role in supporting a vibrant and accessible cultural sector. By bringing together the resources, expertise and commitment of different stakeholders, they help cultural organisations foster innovation, support artistic talent and reach new audiences. Our partnership with Deutsche Bank reflects the value of working together to ensure that the performing arts continue to evolve and connect with society.”

Edilia Gänz, Director of FEDORA, added: “At the heart of these education projects is the belief that the performing arts can bring people together. By creating new waysto experience, share and participate in opera and dance, they open spaces for dialogue, creativity and meaningful human connection, while fostering a stronger sense of belonging and community. With Deutsche Bank’s support, we can help these ideas grow, reach more people and create a lasting impact.”

About the FEDORA Education Prize

The FEDORA Education Prize, backed with €50,000 prize money, is awarded to innovative educational projects that expand access to opera and dance and explore new ways of engaging audiences and communities. In collaboration with FEDORA’s Expert partner, RESEO Network, the prize aims to foster international collaboration, social inclusion and new connections between artists, institutions and audiences across Europe and beyond.

With Deutsche Bank as the new sponsor of the FEDORA Education Prize, the partnership brings together a shared commitment to expanding the reach and impact of innovative projects that explore new approaches to education and audience engagement. Deutsche Bank’s support will help give greater visibility and momentum to ideas that seek to make opera and dance more accessible, inclusive and meaningful, creating new opportunities for diverse communities to connect with and participate in the performing arts.

For the 2027 FEDORA Prizes Biennale, 16 applications were received, representing 45 collaborating cultural organisations from 13 countries and involving 72 artists. The applications are evaluated by an independent expert jury chaired by Hannah Griffiths, Director of Artistic Administration at Opera North, and composed of 6 other European jury members from the industry. Following the first round of deliberations, the jury selects the 10 shortlisted projects and, from among them, the three nominees, who will be announced on 28 November 2026. The three nominated projects will then proceed to a second round of evaluation by the jury in 2027. The winning project will be announced next spring at the FEDORA Prizes Award Night.

All projects are currently in development, reflecting the FEDORA Prizes’ commitment to supporting new artistic creation from its earliest stages. The selected projects will come to life from summer 2027 onwards.

For further information please contact:

Deutsche Bank AG

Media Relations

Dr Klaus Winkler

Email: klaus.winker@db.com
 

Yann Couronneaud

Email: yann.couronneaud@db.com

About Deutsche Bank

Deutsche Bank is a leading global financial institution with strong European roots and a presence in more than 50 countries. The bank has a longstanding commitment to art and culture, supporting access to contemporary art, fostering emerging talent and partnering with leading cultural institutions. For more than 45 years, Deutsche Bank has made contemporary art accessible through its collection, exhibitions and educational programmes. Its longstanding cultural partnerships include the Berliner Philharmoniker, with which it has collaborated for more than 35 years. For more information, visit db.com

About FEDORA – The European Circle of Philanthropists of Opera and Ballet

Based at the Palais Garnier in Paris, FEDORA is a non-profit organisation dedicated to the future of opera and dance in Europe. Founded in 2013 as a tribute to Rolf Liebermann, it is today chaired by Stéphane Argyropoulos and directed by Edilia Gänz. The FEDORA network brings together more than 180 members, including cultural institutions, donors, and partners, as well as artists and supporters across Europe, to champion innovative works and nurture bold projects from their earliest stages of development to the stage. Through the FEDORA Prizes, it supports emerging artists and pioneering opera and dance projects that open new ways for audiences and communities to experience the performing arts. Since 2022, its Next Stage Initiative has extended this mission, supporting projects focused on sustainability, inclusion and digital transformation, on, behind and beyond the stage. For more information, visit fedora-platform.com

The FEDORA Education Prize Jury 2027

Jury Chair:
 

Hannah Griffiths, Director of Artistic Administration at Opera North (United Kingdom)
 

Jury members:

• Peter de Caluwe, General Director of LOV2030 and Former Director of the Royal Theatre of La Monnaie / De Munt (Belgium)
• Vania Cauzillo, Chair of RESEO Network (Italy)
• Jane Davidson, Director of Outreach & Education at the Scottish Opera (United Kingdom)
• Barbara Minghetti, Artistic Director at Teatro Sociale di Como (Italy)
• Bogdan Strutynskyi, Artistic Director of the Kyiv National Academic Theatre Operetta (Ukraine)
• Sarah Théry, Co-founder and Artistic Director of Le Collectif Meute and former winner of the FEDORA Education Prize 2023 (France)