Since its foundation in 2007 Baustelle Schaustelle in Essen, Germany has devoted its activities to the support of the artistic newcomers of its surrounding region and established itself as a space for young art by having organized around 100 exhibitions. Through the concept of a non-profit association the project space focuses on the needs of a young and contemporary art production, offering a platform to realize artistic work in relation to spatial aspects and experimental practice. Baustelle Schaustelle cannot offer any budget for exhibitions.
Working with Baustelle Schaustelle challenges participating artists. It will most likely be their first exhibition outside of the university context and give them the possibility to establish first important contacts with an interested public. Some of the artists that have been supported by Baustelle Schaustelle e. V. in the last 10 years have become known internationally.
Besides selected solo exhibitions, edition sales* and review shows of the winner of the annual Art Award. The Art Award is an open call for artists under 35 years which is endowed with a prize of 1000 Euros and an exhibition in our space. It forms an important part of the space´s agenda and the cultural program of the region. Working in close collaboration with institutions such as Museum Folkwang, Essen, Museum Schloss Morsbroich and the Art Academy Düsseldorf amongst others, Baustelle Schaustelle e. V. is able to assemble a jury out of curators, artists and other culturally involved professions while introducing them to young and merging artists. The final presentation of the winning artwork completes the award with a proper public display.
Baustelle Schaustelle — Space for young art is cooperating with Folkwang University of the Arts in Essen and Florida International University (FIU) in Miami as well as with the Patricia & Phillip Frost Museum. The cooperations aim towards an internationalization and have already led to several exhibitions in Miami and Essen since 2016.
The team around founder and president Brigitte Krieger is composed of artists and scientific tutors. Their work fosters an interdisciplinary and contemporary approach towards an artistic practice in addition to the enduring crosslinking between project space and artists. Consequently, Baustelle Schaustelle e. V. aims to stay in touch with its alumni forwarding their artistic career and to keep them represented in its work.
Since September 2017 Baustelle Schaustelle ist also present in Düsseldorf, where performative formats and talks take place. This expansion is supposed to represent the integration of Baustelle Schaustelle with the region by spatial means as well as to widen the ideas and perceptions of artistic practice.
*We would like to draw your attention to the fact that we do not sell any works by the exhibiting artists, but are happy to pass on the relevant contact if you are interested.
Volker Troche about BauSchau
Dr. Stefanie Kreuzer about BauSchau
Meet the Team
From left to right: Alina von Zittwitz, Brigitte Krieger, Paulina Hoffmann, Rio Boje
Where does the name BauSchau come from?
October 2007: A Baustelle
The renovation of the former Ruhr Möbel/Möbel May rooms is progressing — the house is a construction site (Baustelle). The large corner room is the first one finished. We were wondering how to use the free space till April 2008? Invite artists to organize large-scale exhibitions independently! Success! Our website shows that it proved to be an exceptional, successful idea. And then?
April 2008: A Schaustelle
Construction office changes location along with construction site — the smallest space in the building is transformed into the show site (Schaustelle). Baustelle Schaustelle, the name of the project space has been found.
For 13 years artists got the opportunity to show their work in, with, at BauSchau without commercial use — 190 alumni were able to present in our exhibitions!
October 2008: Baustelle Schaustelle
Today, Baustelle Schaustelle alumni are internationally shown in museums, institutions and galleries — what a success of the essential main idea. In 2011, the tax office gave us the status of a non-profit association. We are happy to receive new members (see application form). Everyone contributes with ideas to promote contemporary art. We are happy to receive positive recognition from professional world.The Folkwang Museum in my hometown ESSEN, which I have visited and loved since my childhood, maintains close contact as do institutions throughout the Ruhr area and Rhineland. Our news are recognized internationally — the success of our idea is reflected in the success of the artists — what more could a privately supported initiative ask for.
BauSchau Essen (Brigittastraße 9)
BauSchau Düsseldorf (Brehmstraße 41)
