Description

Kunst-Stoffe was opened in April 2006 as the first center of its kind in Germany. The purpose of the organization is threefold:

 To raise awareness for material values throughout society

 To collect materials before they are being destroyed and make them available for cultural activists

 To support people in developing creative and technical skills needed in order to design your own environment - rather than shop.

As a storage facility and meeting platform we establish a whole new line of reuse. While reuse structures already exist for clothes, books, household items, altogether for consumer goods, they don’t yet exist for things like paint, foam, fabric, tiles and such.
In addition to facilitating the logistical process we are a platform and a creative facility for artists and activists relating to the subject of sustainable development. Further, we offer educational programs and workshops for different target groups. We accept or collect materials from business and private households and give it away for non-commercial purposes, on the basis of donations.

Former use : Garage yard of local district administration
Total surface of the site : 600 square meter
Location: City
Foundation year of the centre : 2006
Type of occupation (lease/purchase/free-lending contract/gift/squat/others...) : short term lease
Owner of the building : City of Berlin

Facilities

14 warehouse areas with different assortements
2 individual studios
3 workshops for wood work, metal work and craftswork office
Showroom / meeting space

Social and Artistic disciplines

Anyone can use our services, e.g. get materials or use the workshops.

Our studios are temporarily being rented to artists whose work relates to issues of waste, resource management, sustainable development, consumerism.
Along with that we provide exhibition space and support in producing exhibitions.
For artists from abroad we offer from 2008 on a residency program.

We produce and host events like discussions, exhibitions and screenings around issues of sustainable development.

Further, we have special offers for schools and kindergardens:
Workshops where children can explore the inspirational value of the material collection and learn simple techniques for making / repairing / designing things to their liking.
Puppet theater shows dealing with issues of waste production.

Finacial support

Most of the work is not being paid. Running expenses are mostly being covered with donations and fees received from users. Certain activities are being publicly funded.
Funding :

 Institute for Future Studies and Technology Assessment
 Local Council of Lichtenberg
 Department of Urban Development of the City of Berlin
 Anstiftung

Networks

Kunst-Stoffe collaborates with a large number of organisations and individuals who are concerned with issues of sustainable development. A link list can be found on our website.