How we work
Insights into our working methods, our values, decision-making processes, and details about our partners and funding structures.
Mission Statement
With this Mission Statement, we at Tanzfabrik Berlin would like to affirm our shared vision and the compass that guides our work.
Tanzfabrik Berlin School & Stage Teams & Tanzfabrik e.V. - November 2023
Tanzfabrik Berlin is a place for dance art, choreography, and performance. We provide a wide and multifaceted range of services and opportunities for anyone influenced by, interested in, or specializing in dance. We open access – on a practical, sensuous, and conceptual level – to an international audience and the city to dance art, choreography and performance. In this way, we make it possible to participate in social change through dance.
Tanzfabrik Berlin brings people together. We are a place for anyone inspired by the utopian, sensual, and critical potential of dance and performance. We support the many different forms that this practice and artform takes: research, presentation, education work, and communication.
Tanzfabrik Berlin creates spaces of opportunity.We offer dancemakers, tutors and students, choreographers, dramaturges, and researchers an institutional and conceptual arena for their work. We support this work and its open-ended nature, regarding it as a crucial contribution to social diversity.
Tanzfabrik Berlin development.We provide a framework for dance and performance to develop further. We aim to relate forms of physical, artistic, and pedagogic knowledge to the fundamental processes shaping society today and so provide impetus for socio-political change.
Tanzfabrik Berlin challenges existing systems. We see ourselves as a learning organization. To achieve our goals, we follow a feminist practice in our work – questioning power structures and striving for a transformative justice to include the breadth of society in all its heterogeneity.
Tanzfabrik Berlin opens doors.We cultivate an open and self-critical attitude. We aim to provide a working environment that is free of ableism, antisemitism, anti-Muslim racism, homohostility, racism, sexism, trans hostility and all other forms of discrimination and power abuse. We are committed to breaking down visible and invisible barriers.
Tanzfabrik Berlin is a place for dance art, choreography, and performance. We provide a wide and multifaceted range of services and opportunities for anyone influenced by, interested in, or specializing in dance. We open access – on a practical, sensuous, and conceptual level – to an international audience and the city to dance art, choreography and performance. In this way, we make it possible to participate in social change through dance.
Tanzfabrik Berlin brings people together. We are a place for anyone inspired by the utopian, sensual, and critical potential of dance and performance. We support the many different forms that this practice and artform takes: research, presentation, education work, and communication.
Tanzfabrik Berlin creates spaces of opportunity.We offer dancemakers, tutors and students, choreographers, dramaturges, and researchers an institutional and conceptual arena for their work. We support this work and its open-ended nature, regarding it as a crucial contribution to social diversity.
Tanzfabrik Berlin development.We provide a framework for dance and performance to develop further. We aim to relate forms of physical, artistic, and pedagogic knowledge to the fundamental processes shaping society today and so provide impetus for socio-political change.
Tanzfabrik Berlin challenges existing systems. We see ourselves as a learning organization. To achieve our goals, we follow a feminist practice in our work – questioning power structures and striving for a transformative justice to include the breadth of society in all its heterogeneity.
Tanzfabrik Berlin opens doors.We cultivate an open and self-critical attitude. We aim to provide a working environment that is free of ableism, antisemitism, anti-Muslim racism, homohostility, racism, sexism, trans hostility and all other forms of discrimination and power abuse. We are committed to breaking down visible and invisible barriers.
Awareness Guidelines
Tanzfabrik Berlin positions itself as a learning team of people from different backgrounds, cultures, and abilities who work continuously to break down existing barriers of all kinds. We invite everyone to enjoy our events and to feel comfortable and safe in the spaces we create with and for you. It is important to emphasize that we cannot guarantee a space completely free of any form of harm or discrimination, but we are doing our best to work towards it. Therefore, we ask all guests to follow these guidelines:
↪ Ask for consent regarding touch, physical, and emotional closeness. We all have our boundaries.
↪ Don’t assume anyone’s gender, identity, sexuality, health, needs, or background.
↪ We have no place for discrimination or harassment of any kind. We say NO to racism, sexism, transphobia, homophobia, fatphobia, ableism, etc.
↪ Be mindful of the language you use.
↪ We all have different experiences. Try to listen and accept. Denying people’s experiences is hurtful.
↪ Take responsibility for yourself first and for the space you create with others.
↪ Be aware of your intentions and take care of each other.
↪ Be welcoming and have a good time.
↪ Don’t assume anyone’s gender, identity, sexuality, health, needs, or background.
↪ We have no place for discrimination or harassment of any kind. We say NO to racism, sexism, transphobia, homophobia, fatphobia, ableism, etc.
↪ Be mindful of the language you use.
↪ We all have different experiences. Try to listen and accept. Denying people’s experiences is hurtful.
↪ Take responsibility for yourself first and for the space you create with others.
↪ Be aware of your intentions and take care of each other.
↪ Be welcoming and have a good time.
If you feel molested, harassed, experience any type of discrimination, or encounter any situation that makes you uncomfortable, please approach a responsible person on site. At selected events, we have Awareness Staff who will introduce themselves before the event. You can also contact us anytime at MovingStructures@tanzfabrik-berlin.de
Anti-Discrimination
As stated in our Mission Statement, Tanzfabrik Berlin stands for openness, diversity, and mutual respect. We are committed to the values of freedom, human rights, and democracy, and reject all forms of discrimination – including racism, antisemitism, sexism, queerphobia, ableism, classism, etc.
As a space for contemporary art and collective processes, Tanzfabrik brings together people with diverse backgrounds, life experiences, and perspectives. We see it as our social responsibility to create environments that are accessible and safe for everyone – regardless of origin, gender, sexual orientation, nationality, disability, religion, culture, residency status, age, class, appearance, or other identities and attributions.
Our anti-discrimination efforts are part of an ongoing, self-critical process. This includes regular training for our team as well as active measures against power abuse, harassment, and sexual violence. Through our artistic and discursive programming, we also address issues of discrimination, structural inequality, and societal transformation. This commitment is not an add-on, but a core part of our work as a cultural institution.
Moving Structures
Moving Structures coordinates the anti-discrimination work of Tanzfabrik Berlin BÜHNE, takes responsibility for topics such as anti-racism and anti-ableism, and ensures these remain part of the agenda. The group is composed of members of the BÜHNE team who foster open communication and active exchange with the entire team and the leadership to promote transparency and participation. Moving Structures also plans trainings and awareness workshops and serves as an internal contact point in cases of discrimination.
Anti-Discrimination Clause
Our contracts with artists, employees, and external collaborators include an anti-discrimination clause. This formalizes our shared values and creates a framework for respectful collaboration. Read the full Anti-Discrimination Clause here.
External Collective Complaint Office – ExKoBe
For employees and freelance collaborators of Tanzfabrik Berlin BÜHNE, there is also a cooperation with ExKoBe as an external complaints office in accordance with §13 of the General Equal Treatment Act (AGG). ExKoBe is an independent contact point coordinated by Diversity Arts Culture. It offers advice, support, and guidance in cases of discrimination within the cultural sector.
Collaboration with Artists
If you’re an artist interested in collaborating with Tanzfabrik Berlin BÜHNE, here are some important guidelines and information to help you.
↪ Our main focus is supporting the local dance scene in Berlin. That means we don’t always have the capacity to host international guest performances or collaborations – but we’re still happy to be in touch and see what might be possible.
↪ We receive a lot of requests, and we read all of them with care. Sometimes it might take a little while for us to reply – and occasionally, a message might get lost. It's never intentional, and we do our best to answer everyone. If you haven’t heard from us after a while, feel free to send a friendly reminder!
↪ If you’d like to collaborate with us for a Berlin funding application and need a Spielstättebescheinigung, here’s how we work: Please let us know of your interest in a cooperation at least one month before the application deadline. After that, it becomes difficult for us to offer support and guidance with funding applications. We do not accept new requests in the final two weeks before the deadline.
↪ We regularly support applications for Einzelprojektförderung, Einstiegsförderung, and HKF.
For Spartenoffene Förderung, we ask for a prior conversation at least six weeks before applying – especially because these projects often overlap with our regular program.
↪ Our main focus is supporting the local dance scene in Berlin. That means we don’t always have the capacity to host international guest performances or collaborations – but we’re still happy to be in touch and see what might be possible.
↪ We receive a lot of requests, and we read all of them with care. Sometimes it might take a little while for us to reply – and occasionally, a message might get lost. It's never intentional, and we do our best to answer everyone. If you haven’t heard from us after a while, feel free to send a friendly reminder!
↪ If you’d like to collaborate with us for a Berlin funding application and need a Spielstättebescheinigung, here’s how we work: Please let us know of your interest in a cooperation at least one month before the application deadline. After that, it becomes difficult for us to offer support and guidance with funding applications. We do not accept new requests in the final two weeks before the deadline.
↪ We regularly support applications for Einzelprojektförderung, Einstiegsförderung, and HKF.
For Spartenoffene Förderung, we ask for a prior conversation at least six weeks before applying – especially because these projects often overlap with our regular program.
↪ We really value working with artists – and we try to be as open, supportive, and fair as possible. At the same time, we’re a small team juggling many things, so thanks in advance for your patience and understanding. We're looking forward to hearing from you!
Partners & Networks
Netzwerk TanzRaumBerlin
Tanzfabrik Berlin is part of the TanzRaumBerlin network, which, since its foundation in 2004, has functioned as an association of Berlin theatres, organisers and institutions whose aim is to strengthen the art of dance. As a unique dance initiative, the network meets monthly and is an important forum for exchange, discussion and cooperation.
More information at: www.tanzraumberlin.de
More information at: www.tanzraumberlin.de
Zeitgenössischer Tanz Berlin e.V.
Tanzfabrik Berlin is a member of the association Zeitgenössischer Tanz Berlin e.V. This association represents the interests of artists, choreographers, dancers, dance companies and institutions active in the context of dance, choreography and performance in Berlin. It strives to create a productive framework for joint political commitment while advocating transparent and equal communication between artists, politicians, and the public.
More information at: www.ztberlin.de
More information at: www.ztberlin.de
Making a difference
Tanzfabrik Berlin is a partner of Making a Difference, a Berlin-based initiative promoting sustainable and inclusive cultural development. The initiative fosters equitable and future-oriented cultural practices through networking, education, and joint projects.
More information: making-a-difference-berlin.de
Dachverband Tanz Deutschland
Tanzfabrik Berlin is a member of Dachverband Tanz Deutschland, a network and advocacy organization for the dance scene in Germany. The association promotes exchange, strengthens professionalization, and advocates for improved conditions in dance.
More information: dachverband-tanz.de
Funders
Tanzfabrik Berlin BÜHNE is structurally funded by the city of Berlin. This support helps us maintain our infrustructure. However, it leaves limited room for programming, so we apply for additional funding from the Berlin Senate and EU and primarily collaborate with artists who are also city-funded.
Senatsverwaltung für Kultur und Gesellschaftlichen Zusammenhalt
Übermorgen - neue Modelle für Kulturinstitutionen der Kulturstiftung des Bundes
NPN - Nationales Performance Netz
Institut français Berlin
Senatsverwaltung für Kultur und Gesellschaftlichen Zusammenhalt
Übermorgen - neue Modelle für Kulturinstitutionen der Kulturstiftung des Bundes
NPN - Nationales Performance Netz
Institut français Berlin