pop-kultur

The Berliner institution Musicboard Berlin funds a broad range of musical residency programs each year. The Co-Creation Residency encourages creative exchange, collaboration and community building by pairing two artists from different cities. We spoke to project manager Maureen Noe about the structures of the program as well as four artists who participated this year.

Every year, the Berliner Pop-Kultur Festival funds fifteen projects by artists from all genres and backgrounds. These pieces are conceptualized and premiered exclusively at the festival but resonate beyond. We spoke to creative producer Pamela Schlewinski, and the artists Anika and Portrait XO about the experience and opportunities this program creates.

Annika Henderson, known as Anika created an immersive stage performance as a commissioned work for this year's Pop-Kultur festival. Working with several international and interdisciplinary artists, the project "Lost Voices" gives space to frequencies and voices that are unheard and marginalized by a hetero-patriarchal and capitalist society. She shares thoughts on working with these complex topics.

As festivals navigate economic uncertainties and changing audience dynamics, we question the future of these cultural spaces and their potential for fostering inclusivity and artistic exploration. NBHAP author Anna Grubauer reflects on the changing landscape of festivals, based on her experience at MELT festival. To get more insight, she spoke to bookers and organizers behind three major festivals in Germany.