Haus Schwarzenberg - this has been the name of the building for over 25 years now, and it is not only the exterior of the building that is strikingly different from the other smoothly renovated buildings around Hackescher Markt. It is named after the registered non-profit association Schwarzenberg e.V., which is dedicated to promoting young independent art. With this in mind, it operates the Neurotitan Gallery on the first floor of the rear building and the adjoining Artshop on an impressive 300 m². The provision of affordable rental space in the building for creative people, agencies and small businesses is another component of the association's work. Schwarzenberg e.V. is economically self-sufficient and is financed solely from self-generated funds, donations and membership fees..
The values
The active members of the association work to breathe new life into an established place of art, culture and civil courage, where creative and committed people from all over the world come together. Even if some people in the building may feel like they have been transported back to the 90s, the association's aesthetic focus is primarily on the present and the future. Exhibitions such as Belio X or the Argentinian street art collectives FASE and DOMA (both 2009) are evidence of this. By actively networking with avant-garde artist collectives from all over the world, Schwarzenberg e.V. is committed to intercultural understanding, tolerance and productive coexistence in the here and now. Freedom and creativity, openness and diversity - the association stands for these timeless values and tries to do justice to the eventful history of the building as much as possible. The tenants are also an important part of the association and are seen as such. It is not least thanks to them that Haus Schwarzenberg has grown into the unique cultural microcosm that it is today, attracting a wide variety of people from all over the world. The agencies and studios, the galleries, club and Kaschemme, as well as the award-winning arthouse cinema Central and all those who belong to it are important components of a larger whole. Social responsibility naturally also plays a role for the association in this context. By providing its tenants with affordable space, Schwarzenberg e.V. secures numerous jobs. There are currently over 70 people working here. They come from countries including Israel, Germany, Australia, Japan, Italy, Iran and Canada.
The beginnings
After reunification, Haus Schwarzenberg stood empty and had already fallen into disrepair during the GDR era. In 1995, the Dead Chickens, formerly based in Kreuzberg, took up residence here. Their monstrous creatures still characterize the image of the rear courtyards and the Eschschloraque. Together with a few other artists and cultural workers, they founded the Schwarzenberg e.V. association, developed the house and brought it into a usable condition. They rented the building from WBM, replaced ceiling beams, removed mold from the walls and saved the entire side wing from collapsing. Initially, there were only annual contracts with WBM. The rents were cheap, but the association invested around one million euros in the building in terms of working hours and material costs. To date, the association has not received any public funding for its projects.
Download the club chronicle HERE
What does the association do?
The association has been actively working for 15 years to preserve the building in Rosenthaler Straße and to offer young or as yet unknown artists a space where they can present themselves to the public. Donations and membership fees ensure the association's work in the sense of promoting independent artistic and cultural creation.
Goals of Schwarzenberg E.V.
The purpose of the association is to facilitate and promote artistic activities of all kinds. This includes in particular the creation and maintenance of market-independent work and presentation opportunities as well as the promotion of communication and cooperation between artists. Particular attention is paid to supporting young artists. Haus Schwarzenberg provides the basis for creative work that opposes the idea of short-term profit maximization.
Membership types and contributions
Members of Schwarzenberg e.V. support one of the last houses that has retained the charm of the old Spandau suburb - in an almost completely gentrified center! In addition, members of Schwarzenberg e.V. are the first to receive information about the activities of the association and events organized by us such as exhibitions, lectures, book presentations, concerts and DJ evenings
Membership types:
Mitgliedschaft: Normal members pay a fee of 20.00 euros per year. *
Fördermitgliedschaft: Supporting members pay an annual membership fee of at least 50.00 euros per year; there is no upper limit. If you have the interest and the opportunity to support the association even more, this type of membership is the right one for you! *
*The annual membership fee is payable annually in advance. I can cancel my membership at any time at the end of the year. Please note: The calendar year is not valid, but an annual period beginning with admission to the association.