KH Künstler:innenhaus Bremen e. V.

History

Even before the official founding of the supporting organisation - now known as KH Künstler:innenhaus Bremen e. V. - the former industrial building at Am Deich 68/69 became a venue for artistic activities. In an effort to establish an artists’ centre here, a group of artists initiated the first concrete implementation with the association, the Senator for Culture Bremen and the Planungswerkstatt für Wohnen und Kultur e.V.. The focus was on embedding the current artistic work in a structure with a gallery, businesses, artists’ associations and a restaurant to create a productive and beneficial context.

In 1990, the Planungswerkstatt für Wohnen und Kultur e.V. took over the conversion of the building complex on Neustadtufer into the Künstler:innenhaus Bremen. Artists and businesses moved into the studios, workshops and offices during the conversion work. The first exhibition was presented in the gallery in the summer of 1991. In 1992, the renovations were completed and the Künstler:innnhaus Bremen officially began its self-managed operations. Since its beginnings, the Senator for Culture Bremen has supported the Künstler:innenhaus Bremen as an overall centre for art production.

Once a spice factory, then a precious wood warehouse - and for over 30 years a vibrant place of art and culture. In the founding years of Künstler:innehaus Bremen, everything revolved around establishing an independent space for art practitioners, shaping it from within the community and creating (free) spaces for art. This chronicle shows what has happened since then - with excerpts about the development of the house and milestones in art and cultural work:

Künstler:innenhaus Bremen, aerial view of the buildings Am Deich 68/69, ca. 1991
View of the north-west side of the front, centre and rear buildings

Photo: Helmut Wieben

2024
- Official gender-appropriate renaming of the association to “KH Künstler:innenhaus Bremen e. V.”
- Funding project: Start of the Exchange Bremen/Dortmund exchange program between Künstler:innenhaus Bremen and Künstlerhaus Dortmund
2023
Vote on the new name at the general meeting. The generic masculine form is voted down by a large majority.
2022
- Janine Behrens becomes new head and managing director in January
- 30th anniversary celebration in July
- Funding project: start of the living and working grant for Ukrainian artists Artists in Residence Ukraine
2021
Surprise Surprise ↗, an event platform of the studios and workshops of the Künstler:innenhaus makes analogue and digital works visible. A project that was supported by the Stiftung Kunstfond via Neustart Kultur during the Covid-19 pandemic.
2020
Start of the Covid-19 pandemic. Programme cancellations and restrictions in gallery operations.
2019
Funding project: Launch of the Helsinki Artist Residency for visual artists in Bremen
2018
Nadja Quante takes over the artistic direction of the gallery as curator. Concept: feminist and socially relevant issues.

Remodeling of the gallery: installation of a new wall in the entrance area.
2017
Funding project: Start of the Bremen studio grant at Künstler:innenhaus Bremen, awarded by the Senator for Culture.
2017
Funding project: Start of Visiting Curators, organised studio visits by internationally active curators for visual artists in Bremen. Funded by the Senator for Culture.
2015
Nicole Nowak takes over as head and managing director (until 2021)
2014
Fanny Gonella takes over the artistic direction and curation of the gallery (until 2017)
2013
Implementation of the Network for Visual Arts, a funding project for visual artists in cooperation with the Bremen Job Centre
2012
Angela Piplak takes over as head and managing director (until March 2014)
2008
Funding project: Start of the annual guest scholarship. Artists from the house award a living and working grant to an international artist, which is supported by the association.
2007
Stefanie Böttcher takes over the artistic direction/curation of the gallery (until 2012)
2005
Launch of the Network for Visual Arts, a funding project for visual artists in cooperation with the Jobcenter Bremen
2004
Susanne Pfeffer takes over the artistic direction and curation of the gallery (until 2006)
1999
Change of name of the association to: Künstlerhaus Bremen, Verein zur Förderung von Kunst und Kultur e.V.. Source: Amendment to the statutes, 10 February 1999.
1998
Waltraud Steimke takes over the management (until 2012)
1994
Horst Griese takes over the artistic direction and curation of the gallery (until mid-1998)
1993
- Horst Griese takes over the management (until 1998)
- Gender-appropriate language: Motion to change the name at the general meeting. Members decide in favor.
- Programme highlights: Exhibition by Arnold Schalks in the gallery of the Künstler:innenhaus Bremen
1992
Ceremony to mark the official takeover of the buildings by the founded organisation
1991
First official exhibition in the gallery
1990
Foundation of the association

Even before the Künstler:innenhaus was taken over by the Verein zur Förderung von Kunst und Kultur e.V., an exhibition was held in the so-called Multiraum of the Haus am Deich.
1989
Three-year remodelling phase: start of the remodelling by the Planungswerkstatt
1988
The buildings at Deich 68/69, formerly the Runkel + Frischen spice mill and Gottfried Lauprecht timber trade, are sold to the city. Purchase price: DM 1.85 million
Previous artistic directors/curators:
Nadja Quante (since 02/2018)
Fanny Gonella (2014–2018), now Director at FRAC Lorraine, Metz
Stefanie Böttcher (2007–2013), now Director at Kunsthalle Mainz
Susanne Pfeffer (2004–2007), now Director at MMK Frankfurt
Dorothee Richter (1999–2003), now Professor for Contemporary Curating at the University of Reading and Head of MAS in Curating at ZHdK, Zürich
Horst Griese (1994–1998)