Successful crowdfunding campaign: new stage for Neubrandenburg Youth Art School!

Successful crowdfunding campaign: new stage for Neubrandenburg Youth Art School!

The Jugendkunstschule Neubrandenburg has built a new theater stage in the building on Hochstraße with an enormous fundraiser. Isabelle Taut, the head of the facility, was surprised by the overwhelming support that was able to mobilize over 80 donations. Together with a grant of 10,000 euros from the Sparkassenstiftung and other funds from the Junge Künste association, a considerable amount of more than 20,000 euros was collected. This made it possible to build a stage that was urgently needed.

Previously, the theater area of the youth art school was housed in a basement due to unsustainable conditions. Problems such as defective lines and even rats made these provisions unusable for artistic work with children and adolescents. The resettlement of the theater stage was therefore an overdue step that was now implemented with a lot of personal responsibility.

A successful construction process

After the successful crowdfunding campaign, which started in November 2023, the construction of the new stage began in the summer. Taut reported that the work took place during the summer vacation, which was sometimes a challenge because many employees and helpers were not on site. Nevertheless, a variety of necessary measures could be carried out, including the refresher of the room and the laying of a new carpet.

Despite the progress, Taut made it clear that there was still a lot to do. The complete completion of the stage and space requires additional means, the amount of which is currently difficult to estimate. "Our goal is to create a perfect place for the creative work of our young talents," she emphasized.

Challenges through budget cuts

However, a dark cloud is over the joy: The federal government is planning extensive cuts in the field of child and youth work for 2025. Particularly smaller facilities in rural areas could be severely affected. "Although this will not mean that for the youth art school, our range of offers is severely restricted," warned Taut. (Photo: Bastian Bönisch )

The loss of jobs affects numerous central areas-including especially the specialist staff, which is essential for the diverse offers in art and theater work. The head of the school said great concern that child and youth work is always the first point where savings are made. "It is important to maintain these offers to offer children and adolescents the best preparation for life," she added.

In view of the impending cuts, Isabelle Taut plans to contact political decision-makers in order to explore solutions. Despite the challenges, however, the youth art school is determined: after the opening of the new stage, rehearsals for the first public performances in 2025 should begin quickly. "We are ready to continue creative work with new impulses," said Taut with confidence.