Artist/Artistin

Artists are trained in a school-based format. The learning location is a vocational school: classrooms (instruction in a class setting), school-owned sports halls.

Occupation Type: Ausbildung (vocational training) occupation. Type of Training: School-based training at Berufsfachschulen (vocational schools) (regulated by state law). Training Duration: At least 3 years. Learning Locations: Berufsfachschule (vocational school). What does one do in this profession? Artists perform acts with or without sports equipment or other aids. Depending on their specialization, they might, for example, balance on a high wire or juggle. They work as so-called contortionists, present daring jumps and gymnastic elements, perform magic, or make their audience laugh. They train their physical strength, endurance, and flexibility daily to master all routines of their acts and to stay fit for performances. Additionally, they handle office tasks such as billing, create promotional materials, and acquire new engagements. Where does one work? Employers: Artists find employment in amusement parks, in circuses, in variety shows and cabaret stages, in the film and television industry.

Job Title: Artist. Occupation Type: Berufsfachschule (vocational school) occupation. Training Duration: At least 3 years. Entry Requirement: Usually a Hauptschulabschluss (secondary school certificate). What does one do in this profession? Artists perform acts with or without sports equipment or other aids. Depending on their specialization, they might, for example, balance on a high wire or juggle. They work as so-called contortionists, present daring jumps and gymnastic elements, perform magic, or make their audience laugh. They train their physical strength, endurance, and flexibility daily. Additionally, they handle office tasks such as billing, create promotional materials, and acquire new engagements. Where does one work? Artists find employment in amusement parks, in circuses, in variety shows and cabaret stages, in the film and television industry. Other professions related to stage and theater are also available.

At least 3 years.

The professional and personal suitability of applicants is assessed through an aptitude test. This includes various training sessions in different genres and a presentation of their own performance.

Example for the distribution of hours: Cross-occupational Learning Area: German/Communication: 240 hours, Economics and Social Studies: 240 hours, Foreign Language: 240 hours, Mathematics: 240 hours, Fine Arts: 240 hours. Total Cross-occupational Learning Area: 1,200 hours. Professional Learning Area: Theoretical Instruction: 240 hours, Artistic Specialization: 1,920 hours. Total Professional Learning Area: 2,160 hours. Total Hours: 3,360 hours.

Ausbildung (vocational training) at public schools is generally free for students, but admission and examination fees may apply. Private schools, on the other hand, usually charge course fees. Additional costs may arise, for example, for learning materials, special clothing, travel to the training facility, or external accommodation. Under certain conditions, students participating in vocational training can receive funding under the Bundesausbildungsförderungsgesetz (BAföG). For more information, check BAföG.

During theoretical and practical lessons, one acquires knowledge in areas such as acrobatics (floor acrobatics, partner acrobatics, equilibristics), juggling, artistic gymnastics and dance, aerial acrobatics (trapeze, tightrope), anatomy, and cultural history. General subjects like German and economics and social studies are also taught during the Ausbildung.

One should be prepared for the following conditions and requirements: Theoretical lessons are conducted in a classroom setting, possibly involving project work and reviewing content at home. Practical work takes place in the school's own practice rooms. Practical participation (under guidance) occurs in public workshop performances. The environment includes practice rooms and stages, sometimes in front of an audience. Costumes are worn for performances. Requirements include body control and concentration (e.g., when performing aerial and floor acrobatics acts), dexterity and hand-eye coordination (e.g., when juggling), perseverance, diligence, and a sense of responsibility (e.g., when persistently practicing difficult acrobatic performances for precise, error-free preparation of acts), and creativity and a sense of aesthetics (e.g., when developing artistic performances including music, costumes, props, and possibly choreography).

For Ausbildung (vocational training) abroad, options such as France are available. For training offers in France, you can use onisep - the French training database (e.g., by using the free text search with the keywords 'artiste de cirque' or 'acrobate').

No remuneration is paid for this Ausbildung (vocational training).

In-depth knowledge in the following school subjects are good prerequisites for a successful Ausbildung (vocational training): Sports (e.g., to meet the physical demands of the profession), Music (e.g., for musicality and a sense of rhythm), and Performing Arts (e.g., to implement pantomime elements in one's own programs).

The following training alternative is available for the profession of Artist: Stage and Theater Sector: Clown. Commonality: Entertaining the audience through artistic (but primarily humorous) performances.

The training lasts at least 3 years. Alternatively, an artist training integrated into general education can be completed from the 5th grade onwards.

In 1956, the State Technical School for Artistry was founded in East Berlin. In 1981, the 'Stage Acrobatics Artistry' technical school training began in West Berlin. In 1991, the State Technical School for Artistry merged with the Berlin Ballet School.

During theoretical and practical lessons, knowledge and skills are imparted in the following areas, for example: Cross-Vocational Learning Area: German/Communication, Economics and Social Studies, Foreign Language, Mathematics, Fine Arts. Occupation-Specific Learning Area: Mastering an artistic performance in one of the artistic genres to stage readiness (aerial, floor acrobatics, or juggling). Mastering the basics of the other artistic genres. Mastering dance-related stage knowledge and basic dance prerequisites. Applying basic acting and pantomime skills. Applying self-reflective methods for analyzing and comparing one's own performance with competing performances. Applying specific stage technology knowledge. Using rigging knowledge. Applying knowledge in the artistic design of stages, costumes, light, and sound. Using knowledge in choreography and directing. Creating websites, business cards, and other materials.

Artist is a state-regulated school-based training (Ausbildung) at a vocational school (Berufsfachschule). It lasts at least 3 years and leads to a state examination.

This training (Ausbildung) is legally regulated only in the specified federal state (Bundesland) and leads to the following qualification: Berlin: State-Certified Professional Artist (Staatlich geprüfter Berufsartist/Staatlich geprüfte Berufsartistin).

After their Ausbildung (vocational training), artists primarily work in amusement parks, circuses, variety shows, and the film and television industry. They can keep their specialized knowledge up-to-date or bring it to the latest standard through adaptive further training. The range of topics extends from theater and acting to dance. With a higher education entrance qualification, one can also pursue a Studium (university degree) and, for example, obtain a Bachelor's degree in Sports Science. The step into self-employment is also possible, for instance, with a freelance activity or by opening a school for acrobatics.

Regulations at the federal level: Framework agreement for Berufsfachschulen (vocational schools) (Resolution of the Conference of Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs of 17.10.2013, as amended on 21.03.2024). This framework agreement is not directly applicable law. The individual Bundesländer (federal states) regulate vocational school training in their school or vocational school regulations based on the framework agreement. Law on the Protection of Working Youth (Jugendarbeitsschutzgesetz - JArbSchG) of 12.04.1976 (BGBl. I S. 965), last amended by Article 53 of the law of 23.10.2024 (BGBl. 2024 I Nr. 323). Regulation at the state level: The Ausbildung (vocational training) is regulated by state law in the following Bundesland: Training and Examination Regulations for the Berufsfachschulen (vocational schools) of the State of Berlin (Berufsfachschulverordnung - APO-BFS) of 14.07.2009 (Ber.GVBl. S. 327), last amended by Article 3 of the regulation of 15.09.2025 (Ber.GVBl. S. 470). In other Bundesländer, there are no state-level regulations.

At least a Hauptschulabschluss (secondary school certificate) is required. Further requirements may apply depending on the educational offering.

Educational background: At least Berufsbildungsreife (vocational training readiness). Alternatively, artist Ausbildung (vocational training) is possible from the 5th grade (training is integrated into general education). Additional requirements: Aptitude test, medical suitability, prior knowledge in an artistic genre, maximum age of 25 years.