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Find out more about Art Center Kunstquartier Bethanien.

History

The central deaconess institute ‚Bethanien‘ was constructed during the years 1845-47, commissioned by the pious King Friedrich Wilhelm IV who was known as the ‚romantic of the Prussian throne‘. In 1843 he reintroduced the Society of Our Lady (Order of Swan) that his forefather, Kurfürst Friedrich II of Brandenburg had founded four hundred years previously. One of his tasks was to construct an institute for educating nurses and carers „which, as a model for other similar institutions, would be affiliated with a home for the sick.“ Persius came up with the first designs for the deaconess institute which included 500 beds, a training school for the sisters and an orphanage. Following Persius‘ death, his colleague Stein took over construction management under the direction of Stüler, a student of Schinkel. Following Stein‘s revised plans, a wide horseshoe shaped complex was created in a short period of time, the bulky main core of which was surmounted by two slim 35 metre high towers. When, in accordance with his instructions, the house was handed over for use in October 1847, it lay just inside of the city border in the midst of gardens and rye fields. Just 50 years on, around the turn of the century, Bethanien and the park designed by Lénne were embedded within a dense city structure. The population of Berlin had multiplied almost five-fold, going from 365,000 up to 1.700,00. The hospital was in use until 1970.

A vehement „Battle of Bethanien“ began when the hospital was closed down in 1970. The planned demolition of much of the institution and the reconstruction, which included the construction of social housing projects, was hindered by squatters, citizens’ initiative groups and historic building conservationists. Since 1973 it is predominantly cultural, artistic and social institutions working in the main building.

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Institutions

smallrect  Kunstraum Kreuzberg/Bethanien – Contemporary Art Exhibitions
Tel.:+49-(0)30-90298-1455, Fax: 90298-1453

Opening hours: Daily 12 -7 pm
Director: Stéphane Bauer
Kunstraum Kreuzberg/Bethanien presents group shows and topical exhibitions that deal with cutting edge social and cultural processes and their relation to contemporary art. Central aspects here include the contextualisation of projects that take diversity, internationality and local issues into consideration.
With an exhibition area of 450 square metres and over 200 metres of hanging space, the rooms fulfil the spatial requirements for medium-sized shows. Around six exhibition projects are realised per year, currently in collaboration with cooperative institutions, curators or artist groups. The exhibitions are accompanied by guided tours, films, discussions and artists‘ talks. Kunstraum Kreuzberg/Bethanien is a facility of Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg district council.

bethanien@kunstraumkreuzberg.de

smallrect  BBK Berlin Printmakers’ Workshop

Tel.: +49-(0)30-614015-70, Fax: 614015-74

Opening hours: Monday 1 – 9 pm; Tuesday – Friday, 9 am – 5 pm
Director: Mathias Mrowka
The BBK Berlin‘s printmakers’ workshop was opened in 1955 and was, using public means, developed in 1973 in Bethanien to be open to all artists. It is the most extensive, non-commercial artistic printmakers’ workshop worldwide. All known printing techniques such as screen-printing, offset print, etching, woodcutting, lithography and photography can be performed here, as well as combinations of these. Papermaking, bookbinding, catalogue printing, book printing, video and digital technology are also available.
The BBK Berlin printmakers’ workshop is open to all artists.
Daily use of the workshop costs Euro 8. Use of the computer department costs Euro 10 per day. Video-cutting costs €21 per day. A price-list for material and additional services can be made available on request at the appropriate department.

druckwerkstatt@bbk-kulturwerk.de

smallrect  Medienwerkstatt des bbk berlin

Tel.: +49-(0)30-55 14 72 94, Fax: +49-(0)30-61 40 15-74

Opening hours: Monday – Friday, 10am – 5pm and by appointment
Director: Lioba von den Driesch
The publically funded media workshop opened in 2009 and offers infrastructure and skill-building for fine artists creating media art works. The workshop is available for any artist to use. Equipment includes five differently equipt digital workspaces (Mac) and a Greenbox for audio and video recordings as well as post-production. Analogue technologies are also available. 2D and 3D animation as well as interactive media projects can be realised in the workshop. Prices range from day, week and project rates. The pricelist can be found in the workshop or at www.medienwerkstatt-berlin.de.

medienwerkstatt@bbk-kulturwerk.de

smallrect  Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg music school

Tel.:+49-(0)30-90298-1431, Fax.: 90298-1435

Consultation times: Tuesday, 10-12 am; Thursday 2-6 pm
Director: Ina Finger
The Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg music school is one of the largest communal music schools in Berlin. The teaching program ranges from initial contact sessions for parent/children groups (taster courses) to targeted preparation for further music studies. There are lessons in almost all types of instruments, in classical music as well as within the field of jazz, rock, pop and non-European music. Aside from individual or group lessons, there are advanced courses to acquire and deepen theory, listening and musicolgy knowledge, amongst other things. There is a chance to play in diverse ensembles, such as chamber orchestras, big bands, diverse choirs, ensembles for early music, 20th century classical music ensembles and dance amongst many other formats. The multifaceted events take on all sizes, from small (scholar presentations) to larger scale events, displaying the high level of musical education available at the music school that ultimately succeeds in enriching the musical and cultural ambience of the district.

musikschule@ba-fk.verwalt-berlin.de

smallrect  Café/Restaurant „3Schwestern“
Tel.: +49-(0)30-6003 1860 13

Opening hours: Monday – Sunday, from 11 am
Propiertor: Michael Böhl and Wolfgang Sinhart
The café/restaurant ‚3Schwestern‘ (3Sisters) has been open since the end of May 2010 in Bethanien‘s former casino, with an beer garden in the yard and the ‚Eiscafe Kleine Schwester‘ (Ice cream parlour ‚little sister‘) at the entrance. There is an all-round selection of food and drinks on offer here and occasionally concerts, live acts and evening events are also hosted.

boehl@3schwestern-berlin.de

smallrect  The historic Theodor-Fontane pharmacy
Tel.:+49-(0)30-90298-1463

Opening hours: Tuesday 14.00-17.00. Guided tours on request
The pharmacy is a facility of the Kreuzberg Museum:
Tel.: +49-(0)30-5058-5233, Fax: 5058-5258
Director: N.N.
The hospital pharmacy where Theodor Fontane worked as a pharmacist between 1848 and 1849 training nurses as pharmacists, has been preserved in its original state. Some of the vessels have, however, been replaced with a modern inventory.


smallrect  Performing Arts at Bethanien
In summer 2011, 17 artist groups, institutions, production offices and associations working in the field of dance, theatre and performance have moved into new spaces at Kunstquartier Bethanien at Mariannenplatz in Berlin Kreuzberg and thus also bringing with them a whole new range of resources: production and organisation assistance as well as counselling for artists and institutions; rehearsal space and professional training for dancers and actors; showings, lecture demonstrations, workshops, symposia and conferences; various formats for information, communication and encounters as well as a public media library for dance and theatre. We would here like to inform you about our work.


smallrect  BUFT
T: +49 (0)30. 20 21 59 99-0

Bundesverband freie Darstellende Künste e.V. (Federal Association of Independent Theatres) represents the interests of performing arts professionals and institutions of all genres. It speaks on the behalf of ca. 1.000 companies and theatres, which are organized in individual state associations. The federal association informs and councils federal institutions and political bodies as well as its members on the conditions and development of performing arts. 3. Etage/3rd floor, 312.

post@darstellende-kuenste.de

smallrect  Grenzbereiche-theater / borderland-theater
T.+49/30 68073023

Christine Vogt is a theatre director specialized in integrative performing arts/cultural scientist M.A. and visiting lecturer at the University of Applied Sciences Potsdam. She has been working with the theatre company piloti storti (Spastikerhilfe Berlin e.V.) since 2005 and was a founding member of Theater Thikwà..Currently, she is planning a three-year pilot project for people with dementia and artists. 3. Etage/3rd floor, 321.

vogt@grenzbereiche-theater.de

smallrect  Dachverband Tanz Deutschland
T: +49 (0)30 6110765 -13 / -17

It’is an umbrella association and lobby group for cultural and educational policy in dance in Germany. It represents the leading dance associations and institutions, as well as a number of outstanding individual artists. Erdgeschoss links / ground floor left side.

info@dachverband-tanz.de

smallrect  DepArtment
T: +49 (0)30 40505985, F: +49 (0)30 40505986

It’is an office for cultural management in the performing arts under the direction of Katharina von Wilcke and Harriet Lesch. DepArtment was founded in 1995 and is working since in the fields of programming, production dramaturgy, management, project organisation and communication for individual artistic projects, event series and festivals. 3. Etage/3rd floor, 320.

info@dep-art-ment.com

smallrect  Dramaturgische gesellschaft e.V. (dg)
T: +49 (0)30 77908934

The dramaturge society is a network for both theatre makers and experts from other art forms, sciences and political institutions. It is the aim of the society to enhance the exchange of knowledge and opinions about current aesthetical and socio-political issues.  3. Etage/3rd floor, 311

post@dramaturgische-gesellschaft.de

smallrect  Ehrliche arbeit – freies Kulturbüro / ehrliche arbeit – freelance office for culture
T: +49 (0) 30 39202140, F: +49 (0)30 69088571

Ehrliche arbeit means “honest work” in German and was founded in 2006 in Berlin as a platform and basis for independent performing arts projects. We offer concept and project development combined with project and production management, press and public relations, dramaturgy, as well as text and translation work. ehrliche arbeit are Janina Benduski, Sandra Klöss, Andrea Oberfeld, Elena Polzer, Ilka Rümke and Anka Belz. 3. Etage/3rd floor, 314, 316, 317, 318

post@ehrlichearbeit.de

smallrect  Grotest Maru
T: +49 (0)179 2058948

Creates theatre in public spaces and is inspired by visual, physical, and object theatre, as well as installation and land art. Grotest Maru was founded in 1996 at Kunsthaus Kule in Berlin. The company has been touring internationally since 1999. Grotest Maru specializes in developing site-specific projects for urban spaces or landscapes. Keller/cellar, K39
Ursula Maria Berzborn.

grotestmaru@grotest-maru.de

smallrect  Internationales Theaterinstitut – Zentrum BR Deutschland (ITI)
T: +49 (0)30 61107650, F: +49 (0)30 7911874

The German Centre of the International Theatre Institute (ITI) is part of a worldwide network of more than 90 national ITI centres and focuses its work on the international exchange of dance and theatre. ITI Germany offers information and counselling, organizes international symposia, workshops and, most importantly, the triennial festival THEATER DER WELT. Erdgeschoss links / ground floor left side.

info@iti-germany.de

smallrect  KOSTÜMKOLLEKTIV e.V.
The KOSTÜMKOLLEKTIV wants to set up a shared working and storage space for everything related to costumes and masks, etc. for artists, as well as for cultural education.Keller/cellar, K39.

kontakt@kostuemkollektiv.de

smallrect  Landesverband Freie Theaterschaffende (LAFT) Berlin e.V.
T: +49 (0)30 54591600

The LAFT is a local umbrella association, which represents the interests of professional independent theatre makers and performing artists in Berlin. Its goal is to strengthen the lobby for independent theatre and dance, improve cultural policies, facilitate communication and networking, further discourse and develop further qualification possibilities for professionals. EG/ground floor, E 3.

info@laft-berlin.de

smallrect  Mime Centrum Berlin
T: +49 (0)30 611076520

It’s an information and documentation centre as well as working space for dance and theatre makers. The media library is open to the public and provides a good overview of national and international developments with more than 6.000 video and DVDs. Workshop programs and a daily movement training is available for actors, dancers and all interested in performing arts. Erdgeschoss links / ground floor left side.

info@mimecentrum.de

smallrect  NORDWIND
It’s a platform and festival for performing arts & music from the Nordic and Baltic countries. NORDWIND presents some of the most outstanding representatives of the Nordic contemporary art scene since 2006. NORDWIND contributes to an increased exchange between Nordic and German Artists.  1. Etage/1st floor, 141.

r.ciontos@nordwind-festival.de
a.skjonberg@nordwind-festival.de

www.facebook.com/nordwind

smallrect  Seidenspur e.V. / Trace of Silk
T: +49 (0) 30 68073023

It’s a registered association for the promotion of intercultural dialog through cross-border projects in the arts. Seidenspur e.V. focuses on ethnic diversity and on alternative ways of life, such as living with disabilities: “AugenGlücksBlicke“ (pilot project for people with dementia and artists) “Phönizische Überlebende“ (musical reading/photo-exhibition on Armenia), “Was Worte“ (performance with images, poetry and songs from the ‘collection Prinzhorn Heidelberg’). 3. Etage/3rd floor, 321.

post@seidenspur.de

smallrect  SÉRGIO FERNANDES – RAUMFÄHRE art collective
It’s an actor and performer. His work combines elements from physical theatre, circus, masks (Commedia dell’Arte) and clowning techniques. Keller/cellar, 37.

sergiofernandes@sergiofernandes.org

smallrect  She She Pop
T: +49 (0)30 97005268

She She Pop is a performance collective based in Berlin and Hamburg. Founded in 1998 by graduates from the applied theatre studies course in Giessen, She She Pop currently has seven permanent members: Sebastian Bark, Johanna Freiburg, Fanni Halmburger, Lisa Lucassen, Mieke Matzke, Ilia Papatheodorou and Berit Stumpf. Room 315.

buero@sheshepop.de

smallrect  Studio 142 – Hanna Hegenscheidt (Choreographer, Teacher of Klein Technique™)
Studio 142 is a rehearsal space for dance, theatre and performance and offers daily classes in the bodywork Klein Technique™.  1 OG/ 1st floor, 142.

mail@hannahegenscheidt.de

smallrect  Tanzkongress / Dance Congress
T. +49 (0)30 40505989, F: +49 (0)30 40505986

The Dance Congress is a major international forum in which dancers, choreographers, pedagogues, scientists, and producers present and reflect current developments in stage dance in theory and practice. Initiated by the Kulturstiftung des Bundes (German Federal Cultural Foundation), the first Dance Congress took place in 2006 in Berlin and the second in 2009 in Hamburg. As of 2013, the Dance Congress will be organized every three years at different locations in Germany. Directors: Sabine Gehm & Katharina von Wilcke. 3. Etage/3rd floor, 322.

zentrale@tanzkongress.de

smallrect  MOMENTUM

www.momentumworldwide.orginfo@momentumworldwide.org
Opening hours: Wednesday to Sunday 1-7pm and by appointment.
Director: Rachel Rits-Volloch

MOMENTUM is a non-profit platform for time-based art, active worldwide since 2010, with headquarters in Berlin at the Kunstquartier Bethanien Art Center. MOMENTUM’s program is composed of local and international Exhibitions, Artist and Curator Residencies, Video Art in Public Space Initiatives, a Performance Program and Archive, an Education Program and Archive, and a growing Collection. By enabling Exhibition, Discussion, Research, Creation, Collection, and Exchange, MOMENTUM is a platform which challenges the notion of time-based art in the context of both historical and technological development. Visual languages continue to evolve in concert with the technologies which drive them, and it is the role of visual artists to push the limits of these languages. As the world speeds up, and time itself seems to flow faster, MOMENTUM provides a program focused on the growing diversity and relevance of time-based practices, exploring how time-based art reflects the digitization of our societies and the resulting cultural change. Positioned as both a local and global platform, MOMENTUM serves as a bridge joining professional art communities, irrespective of institutional and national borders. Working on a model of international partnerships and cooperations, MOMENTUM supports artists and artistic innovation, bringing to Berlin work by international artists that would not otherwise have been seen here, and ensuring an international audience for exceptional local artists. The key ideas driving MOMENTUM are: Cooperation, Exchange, Education, Innovation, and Inspiration. MOMENTUM continuously seeks innovative answers to the question ‘What is time-based art?’.

info@momentumworldwide.org