2018,

zqm

zwanzigquadratmeter

2018,

2007

Petersburger Straße

73

Berlin

10249

zqmberlin.org

CKÖ, huuuu haaaa schnugi, 2016, Foto: Michel Bonvin

CKÖ, huuuu haaaa schnugi, 2016, Foto: Michel Bonvin

The pandemic gave us a pause and became a forced hiatus. For us, it didn’t make sense to organize events or to move into the digital space during the last year. A willingness to think outside the box, to implement short-term funding, and to listen to the needs of the community. Not everyone requires long term investments; others would like to apply for EUR 500 to develop a project for next month. These quick, low-cost funding opportunities are not clearly available yet. When implementing initiatives, first think about the places and the people you are trying to serve. Requiring project spaces to have a program mapped out six months in advance, or ask for only German-language applications is not responding to the community.The Project Space Prize has not only saved many spaces and kept them alive for a longer period but basically generated a unique experimental and diverse art scene in Berlin. The Prize has also very much encouraged the founding of new spaces, fueled by the hope of receiving funding at some point. More than anything, it is an example of how much a certain public funding strategy can completely shape a local art scene.Wir sehen unseren Projektraum immer noch als selbstgewählte, professionell organisierte Alternative zu marktorientierten Galerien und staatlichen Kunstinstitutionen. Der Preis ist eine einmalige Chance, weil er unbürokratisch finanzielle als auch zeitliche Freiräume schafft. Wichtig dabei: keine Abrechnung notwendig! Berliner Politik muss endlich erkennen, dass die Szene eine große Anerkennung über die Stadt hinaus genießt und Motor für kulturelle Innovation ist, letztlich ein wichtiger Standortfaktor ist.