RAUMSONDE
2023

RAUMSONDE is a support tool for planning events and preparing permit applications for events in open and free spaces in Berlin.

Use the RAUMSONDE to look for and find suitable outdoor venues and directly apply for the necessary permits for your event.

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NEXT GENERATION OF CULTURAL SPACES LIVING DOCUMENT
2023

The NGOCS living document is a Powerpoint presentation made for cultural collectives that have an own independent space or aim to obtain an independent space for non-dominant culture.

We aim for you to download and modify this document to your needs. It can be used to present your space or concept to the outside world, especially to local administrators, property owners or potential funders.

DOWNLOAD (.PPTX)

NEXT GENERATION OF CULTURAL SPACES PUBLICATION
2023

The Next Generation of Cultural Spaces (NGOCS) creates a translocal artivist alliance to reimagine the use of historical spaces, reviving them through cultural activities to create safe spaces where non-dominant youth culture, queer communities and other marginalized groups in Eastern & Southern Europe can thrive. 

This report tells the stories and experiences of the NGOCS project team, as well as those of the spaces and communities touched by the project. It provides a glimpse into the journey towards enabling space, including the challenges and opportunities encountered along the way. 

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SPACE OF URGENCY PUBLICATION (TRANS EUROPE HALLES)
2021

“A narrative of cultural spaces by and for self-organised communities”

What is a space of urgency? What do we mean with “urgency”? Why are spaces of urgency important? What can we learn from spaces of urgency?

This publication explains the concept of Space of Urgency and highlights stories and resilience strategies of a number of non-dominant cultural spaces.

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INITATIVE COOKBOOK
2016 (first edition)

“Homemade civic engagement: An introduction to project management“

The cookbook supports those who want to shape their society through common civil initiative. It covers a broad range of topics: ideation, planning, teamwork, target groups, public relations, fundraising, and finance management. The book has been awarded the Lifelong Learning Award.

Editors: Heike Fahrun, Nils-Eyk Zimmermann, Eliza Skowron

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GUIDE FOR OPENING, RUNNING AND GROWING A CULTURAL OR COMMUNITY SPACE

“Get the support you need to run a cultural or community space. Covering legal, financial, and practical questions, we have developed this guide to help you turn your idea into reality.”

This guide has been commissioned by the Mayor of London’s Space for Culture team and developed by Counterculture LLP. The guide focusses on the business aspects of running a cultural or community space. It is written for the UK, but contains much information that is generally applicable. 

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DIGITAL TOOLS TOOLKIT
2021

The Digital Tools toolkit provides a list of open source solutions and easy to use proprietary software for communities to build their digital infrastructure

The applications are built by communities for communities, they are more secure, private and for the most part non-commercial.

Developed by OpenLabAthens

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THE COMMONS – SOCIAL CHANGE LIBRARY

The Commons Library is an online library for the change makers of the world and for those interested in social change, activism, advocacy and justice.

The Commons includes 1000+ educational resources in a range of formats. Topics include campaign strategy, community organising, working effectively in groups, justice and diversity, creative activism, and much more.

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CULTURE HACK METHOD TOOLKIT 1.0
2019

The Rules have developed a method and toolkit to help social movements bring about narrative and structural change, they call it Culture Hacking.

“The Culture Hack Method as a process in which we intervene dominant culture narratives from an anti capitalist, anti patriarchal, anticolonial stance through questioning, analysis (discourse analysis, network analysis, content analysis), de-codification, recodification, and creative intervention.”

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ARTIST-RUN EUROPE
2023

Gavin Murphy
Mark Cullen (Eds.)

“Since first being published in 2016, this groundbreaking study has become a key text on the subject, a practical tool for those running or wishing to set up artist-run spaces, and a source of research for artists, academics and students, seminars, symposia and publications. This 2nd edition includes an updated and expanded index of artist-run spaces, with the inclusion of 50 additional spaces, and featuring spaces from Ukraine for the first time.”

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Freiraum-Fibel (German only)
2016

Bundesinstitut für Bau-, Stadt- und Raumforschung (BBSR)

The Freiraum-Fibel (Free space guide) is intended to be a starting aid for all those who want to be actively involved in the design of their city and have the desire to create their very own open space. It informs about the legal conditions – from approval procedures to contract design to liability issues – and provides numerous tips and examples for making a city. It also provides good arguments to convince officials, property owners and other decision-makers of the merits of an idea.

The Freiraum-Fibel is only available in German and applies to the German law.

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THE GENERATIVE COMMONS TOOLKITS

The Generative Commons Living Lab and partners have developed a series of toolkits to serve as a resource for initiatives and communities wishing to implement an urban commons or already engaged in the governance of an urban commons

The 4 toolkits are covering Temporary Use, Participation, Governance and Legal aspects. 

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ARTIST-RUN ALLIANCE

“Artist-Run Alliance is a non-profit, artist-led global network of independent artist-run initiatives, promoting direct communication between artists, artist-run groups and alternative art lovers in their localities and around the world.”

On their website you can create a profile for your initiative, find other initiatives, find and upload Open Calls, events, actions and more. 

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ARTIST-RUN RESOURCE CENTER

“The Artist-Run Resource Centre offers a comprehensive content library of applied tools for creating, developing, maintaining, and promoting artist-run initiatives along with research and theoretical content examining the past, present, and future of the artist-run scene in Europe. It also offers an index of online resource platforms. All the content on the ARRC is uploaded by users.”

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ARTISTS AT RISK

“Artists, writers, curators, critics and scholars are often targets of politically motivated threats and persecution all over the world.

Artists at Risk (AR) is dedicated to supporting persecuted art practitioners, facilitating their safe passage from their countries of origin, hosting them at AR-Residences and curating related projects, including the AR Pavilion.”

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AL-MAWRED AL-THAQAFY

“Culture Resource (Al-Mawred Al-Thaqafy) is a regional, non-profit organization founded in 2003 that seeks to support artistic creativity in the Arab region and to encourage cultural exchange within the region and beyond.”

Al-Mawred Al-Thaqafy offers grants and other opportunities for artists and cultural organizations in the Arab region. The website also contains many resources and publications with a regional focus.

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RESET NETWORK

Reset Network is an European network of independent cultural and media organisations. The network is designed and built to document the situation of independent culture and media across Europe and beyond, empower its members as well as to advocate for a repositioning of independence as a core value in the cultural sector.

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TRANS EUROPE HALLES

Trans Europe Halles is a network of 140 cultural organizations from 40 European countries. The network has been at the forefront of repurposing abandoned buildings for arts, culture and activism since 1983.

The members meet twice a year to exchange knowledge, to start conversations and to connect with other cultural changemakers. Trans Europe Halles also collaborates regionally and thematically through Hubs, launching projects and form partnerships based on common interests, goals and ideas.

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TRANS EUROPE HALLES RESOURCES

“Here you will find a selection of our publications, videos and audio materials. They will help you learn how to become a better leader. How to open a successful cultural venue. How to make your organisation more resilient, and much more…”

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