Making room for culture

Making Room for New Ideas

Inviting experimentation within the unusual, architecturally distinctive and culturally valuable venues in the development of innovative and inspired new formats in arts and culture; allowing artists to draw inspiration from the spaces, and to integrate the unique qualities of the site into their work.

Making connections

Working thematically in order to connect different disciplines as well as breaking down the borders between artistic genres; making encounters across disciplines and between cultural communities possible.

Towards a Culture of Critical Reflection

Supporting artists’ critical reflection and active engagement of difficult, uncomfortable themes, as well as being the conduit for these positions and expressions to reach and touch the public. In particular, a “cultural church” allows for reflection upon religious and spiritual themes.

Supporting the Development of Emerging Artists

Diminishing the financial burden for up and coming artists, such as dramaturges, theatrical concept developers, as well as curators, through greatly reduced rental fees (so-called rental subsidies); supporting them as well in the fields of Event Management, PR and Marketing, technical realization, acquisition of project funding, etc.

Making Diversity Possible, Encouraging High Artistic Quality

In the selection of our programming, which the Kultur Büro Elisabeth determines jointly with the congregation’s cultural committee, high artistic quality (despite all the risks of experimentation) is of central importance. Although our programme is in no way bound to a particular artistic discipline, genre or repertoire, emphasis falls on contemporary productions as well as those in the realm of music and particularly that of so-called Early Music.

Careful Selection of Projects as a Guarantee of Quality and Diversity

The projects that take place within our facilities are not, barring rare exception, conceived of or financially developed by the Kultur Büro Elisabeth. However, they are carefully selected and closely supported, with, in the case of many projects, the Kultur Büro Elisabeth acting as a collaborative partner through advising on content and easing financial strains. We initiate new projects and bring diverse creative people together.

The Church’s Profile

The church as an open, diverse and multipurpose public space; the integration and coexistence of faith and culture, of the sacred and the profane; church spaces, whose unique historical architecture come alive for the public as it is activated by cultural projects: these thoughts and ideas are the inspiration for our work. Ever a balancing act between the opening of the church and the preservation of her character, the work of the Kultur Büro Elisabeth hopes to find a balance of its high standards for content and its needs for economic and institutional livelihood.