Since 2015, the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media has been awarding the Theaterpreis des Bundes.

The prize is awarded to theaters in Germany that stand out for their impressive aesthetic and artistic quality. The Theaterpreis des Bundes strengthens creative stages throughout the country—from large cities to rural areas—that create culture, foster identity, and bring open debate to life.

It honors active dialogue with civil society and ideas on how to create new approaches to theater in order to connect with audiences.

In addition, the award recognizes commitment to the development of agile structures and processes as well as exemplary concepts in areas such as sustainability, digitalization, and social cohesion. The focus is also on socio-cultural issues, innovative opening concepts, and forward-looking orientations.

All municipal and state theaters, regional theaters, private theaters, guest performance venues, and production houses for the independent performing arts in the Federal Republic of Germany are eligible to apply for the Innovation Prize, which was redesigned in 2025.

The Theaterpreis des Bundes is endowed with prize money totaling 500,000 euros and is awarded as a main prize and as awards in three categories. The prize winners undertake to use the prize money for further artistic program work or for improving artistic production conditions.

The Theaterpreis des Bundes is awarded on the recommendation of a jury of experts appointed by the current Minister of State for Culture. The prize is announced annually at the beginning of a new season after the summer break. It is open to the public, so that all interested theaters and ensembles can apply.

The project is organized by the Fonds Darstellende Künste in cooperation with the German Center of the International Theater Institute (ITI).