ON Cologne is organising the first Open Space for the contemporary music scnene in Cologne – and you are cordially invited!
The last few months have shown very clearly that it is the solidarity of many that sustains individuals. Without jointly formulated interests and dialogue, we must fear for our survival in times of tight budgets. What are the common interests of musicians and sound artists, academically and non-academically trained practitioners, the independent scene and institutions? Which synergies, structural developments and strategic goals can we better address together? In which festivals in Cologne will contemporary music have a permanent place in the future? What role can a network office like ON play? How do we move from the currently necessary mode of preserving and saving to a positive mode of imagining and developing new visions for a city in which contemporary music lives and grows?
The solidarity euro that now flows into the independent scene from the box offices of Cologne’s theatres and the Gürzenich Orchestra for every ticket sold is a promising outlook on what becomes possible when there is a regular exchange between the various players in the independent scene and the institutions.
The ON Cologne network office would like to establish such an exchange – from, for and in the scene – on an annual basis. One of the reasons for this is to link the office’s work even more closely with the realities and needs of the independent scene in future. The meetings are organised in an open space format, a participatory exchange format for large groups. The method makes it possible to identify common issues between different stakeholders in a short space of time and to develop approaches for action. More information about the open space method can be found here.
Everyone who sees themselves as part of contemporary music in Cologne is invited: musicians, performers, composers, sound artists, ensembles, organisers, students, universities, associations and initiatives, institutions, cultural administrators, music journalists and scholars.
Date:
27.05.2025
Timetable:
09:30 am: Arrival
10 am – 6 pm: Open Space
Venue: Halle, Alte Feuerwache Cologne
Moderation: Dr Christian Kemper (inbetweener.eu)
For the planning of the catering, we look forward to receiving a binding registration for the event by 19.05.2025, by e-mail to info@on-cologne.de. The catering, consisting of a hot lunch, snacks and drinks, is offered in a solidarity price scale of €5 / €10 / €15.