Mezekere: New art space in Vienna promotes BIPOC artists!

Mezekere: New art space in Vienna promotes BIPOC artists!

Wien, Österreich - A new art space called "Mezekere" will be created in the former Sophienspital in the 7th district of Vienna. A creative center is created on 300 m² in the attic of the Kenyon Pavilion, which will provide numerous offers such as exhibitions, performances and research projects. Vienna's cultural and science councilor, Veronica Kaup-Hasler, already visited the construction progress, supported by the city of Vienna as the central support partner of the project. Mezecere aims to focus on diasporic and transnational positions from global majority, and actively position itself against the dominance of the "White Gaze" in art.

The project is managed as a professional art institution and offers mentoring and international cooperation to promote sustainable careers. In this context, Mezekere is closely with the Kültüř Gemma initiative! connected, the artists of color and migrants support.

space for exchange and diversity

The art space will offer an open social space with the kitchen, event area and office and is embedded in a creative area that includes gastronomy, park and adult education. Numerous program lines are planned, including workshops, readings and film screenings that are to begin from spring 2025 before the official opening takes place in May 2026. Funding is ensured by public funding, international programs and foundations, with long -term cooperation and sponsorship.

Mezekere in particular should offer queer, bipoc and migrant artists a safe space. This vision fits into the broader EU initiative "Culture Moves Europe", which has encouraged over 7,000 art and cultural workers from 40 countries since 2022. The program that the Goethe Institute carries out represents a reaction to geopolitical changes and tensions and promotes social exchange and integration in Europe. Secretary General Johannes Ebert emphasizes the importance of cultural cooperation even in times of crisis.

support of cultural mobility

The EU supports the mobility of artists and cultural workers, among other things through programs such as Erasmus+ and Creative Europe. This mobility is of crucial importance for access to career opportunities and the promotion of intercultural dialogue. Measures to remove mobility barriers are taken to improve the framework conditions for artists. From 2019 to 2025 a budget of around 21 million euros will be provided.

In addition, funded artists receive practical support for their projects, with over 50% use of environmentally friendly means of transport. These measures are crucial because 80% of the participants indicate that they cannot do their projects without this help. Over 160,000 days of cultural networks have been supported so far, which impressively underlines the importance of programs to promote cultural mobility.

Overall, Mezekere positions itself not only as an innovative art space, but also as part of a larger social and cultural network that promotes diversity and inclusion.