Our Activities
Our mediation and participation methods enable a wide range of activities. Whether a local authority wants to strengthen democratic action, a citizens' group wants to inject new dynamism into a deadlocked situation, or a sponsor is looking for a sustainable participation process for flagship projects in public spaces: The New Patrons model responds to different needs and can be adapted to many contexts.
IMPLEMENTATION OF PROJECTS AND PROGRAMS
We support people in the realization of their citizen-commissioned art projects. That is the core of our work. The individual projects are often created as part of larger programs, which we develop and implement with the support of partners such as the Kulturstiftung des Bundes (German Federal Cultural Foundation), the Federal Agency for Civic Education or the Fondation de France. Our current Citizen-commissioned Dance and Performance program enables ambitious productions that make an artistic and social impact throughout Germany until 2027. Important completed programs are our pilot phase in model regions and the pioneering projects in Germany.
CONSULTING FOR MUNICIPALITIES AND ORGANIZATIONS
Appointment with Werner Arndt, Mayor of Marl
The New Patrons of Marl, 2020Throughout Germany, we advise and support municipalities, cultural institutions, districts and all those who want to give people in their region more democratic scope for action through citizen-commissioned art. The Kiel model has a pioneering role here, with Kiel being the first municipality to independently implement art commissioned by citizens. As part of an international network, we are pooling the experience of over 30 years and more than 500 civic commissions. Administration and cultural organizations are given an innovative opportunity to meet the challenges of social life and develop locally anchored concepts for the future.
EDUCATION AND TRAINING
Educational trip
Mediators visiting the New Patrons of Wietstock © Gesellschaft der Neuen AuftraggeberFor those interested in the cultural sector, mediation, conflict mediation and related fields, we offer methodical and practical training on mediation in the New Patrons model. In addition, formats for the constructive exchange of knowledge are designed and carried out by experienced mediators. Future mediators from all over Germany took part in our 2022/2023 mentoring program. Further training courses are being planned and individual workshops are available on request at any time.
Public Dialogue
We exchange ideas with experts from other fields of work and an interested public by invitation and at our own events, such as the Was ihr wollt! series at the Berliner Volksbühne. Numerous publications and articles also deal with art on behalf of citizens. Our series Commissioned by – Art in Relation presents contributions from the fields of art studies, sociology, anthropology, architecture and urban development, economics and mediation. These and numerous other texts and videos can be viewed in our library.