Artivism Practices: Study visit to Berlin

As part of the CivicArt Project, a group of 12 youth workers from Ukraine and Georgia embarked on an enriching study visit to Berlin, Germany, to explore the practical experience of German colleagues in organizing and coordinating art-based civic education activities.

The visit, which took place on March 25^th-31^st, focused on raising awareness about the integration of artivism and civic education, offering participants hands-on experience with existing projects that use art as a tool for social change. During the visit, participants engaged with local practitioners, observed their work, and gathered valuable insights into how similar initiatives could be implemented in their home countries.

Key Meetings:

• The group began their visit at KulturNest e.V., where they learned about the transformative power of cultural initiatives and collaborated with local artists to create personalized sticker designs.
• At Theater der Kleinen Form, led by director Evelyn Geller, the participants explored marionette theater as a powerful medium for societal change and engaged in practical theater workshops.
• The visit to Studio Ukraine offered an opportunity to engage with a collective of Ukrainian artists who have found refuge in Berlin, where participants took part in a textile sculpture workshop that reflected on political issues and created public art pieces that made strong political statements.
• During the Street Art Tour, guided by street artist Universo Pelele, participants explored Berlin’s vibrant graffiti scene, learning about the stories behind famous artworks and discussing the role of street art in activism.
• At Frauen Machen Druck, the group took part in a linocut workshop, where they learned the technique and created prints that expressed personal and social statements, empowering migrant women in an anti-racist and intersectional environment.
• Artistania, a non-profit organization, provided space for transcultural creativity, where participants acquainted with artistic and socio-cultural projects, including theater, mask making, and street interventions.
• The visit to Zuhause gave the participants insight into how migrant women explore the concept of home through public space interventions, reclaiming the streets as shared living rooms, and fostering a collective sense of belonging.
• Lastly, at Clown4All, an informal collective using clowning as a tool for social healing, the group participated in clowning workshops and discussed how humor and play can address societal challenges and promote social integration.

Throughout the study visit, participants also engaged in debrief sessions and reflection activities, documenting key learnings to inform the upcoming tasks of the project. Discussions were held to prepare for a Collection of practices for civic education through art. The insights gained will contribute to the development of a methodology guide, local activities in Ukraine and Georgia, and further video production to document the experiences.

The visit to Berlin provided a valuable opportunity for Ukrainian and Georgian partners to collaborate with their German counterparts, exchange ideas, and gain new perspectives to enhance the effectiveness of their initiatives.