As part of the budget consolidation, Berlin’s cultural budget is being asked to make massive savings. As a result, project funding is primarily at risk, as it is only temporary and the Senate has no obligations.

As a result, our Stock of Costume funding for 2025 has also been stopped for the time being. The Senate Administration is trying to push our project into another funding group in order to secure us. We may know at the beginning of December whether we will be able to pay our rent from January or whether our 14 years of work for the collection of costumes by and for independent performing arts productions will soon come to an end.

What is certain is that many independent productions will no longer be funded in the coming years, just like the professional performing arts productions for which we provide the costumes and working infrastructure.

We would therefore be delighted if you would also support this cause. The more people who take part, the greater the likelihood that it will be successful.

What you can do:

Sign and spread the petition: „Berliner Kultur in der Haushaltskrise schützen“ (“Protecting Berlin’s culture in the budget crisis”)

Demonstrate against the cultural cuts: On Wednesday, November 13, 2024, a demonstration will take place on Platz des 18. März in front of the Brandenburg Gate from 10 am.
The alliance is being called by all cultural associations such as LAFT, the Coalition of the Independent Scene Berlin, the Stage Association Bühnenverein, GDBA, the Scenography Association Stenografie-Bund, independent production venues and all Berlin cultural institutions.
More on this and newsletters for current information: #BerlinIstKultur
Facebook: Berlin is culture
Instagram: #BerlinIstKultur

Participate & join in: We from Kostümkollektiv are preparing artistic objects/texts and will meet on Tuesday, November 12 at 4 pm at Stock of Costumes, our Headquarter at Kunstquartier Bethanien, Mariannenplatz 2, 10997 Berlin. Feel free to bring special costumes or objects to the demonstration. You can take up our ideas and prepare something of your own at home; we’ll keep you up to date on Tuesday afternoon on Instagram: #kostuemkollektiv

With Silvia Albarella (set and costume designer, Kostümkollektiv e.V.)
What are the special characteristics of working within the independent performing arts community for stage and costume designers? In this workshop, artists (scenographers, artistic directors and performers) will receive information that will make it easier to begin working in and move through the professional field as well as help for the calculation of a scenography budget.
In German spoken language, it is possible to ask questions and make comments using English spoken language.
This workshop takes place within the framework of the Information Center of the Berlin Performing Arts Program and, after an introduction to the basics of the topic, is dedicated to the specific questions of those present. For better preparation, we ask you to send specific questions and/or project plans (concept, sketches for stage and costume design) in advance when registering.
When: Tuesday, October 15, 2024 | 5 – 8 p.m.
Where: Stock of costumes at Kunstquartier Bethanien, Mariannenplatz 2, 10997 Berlin
Registration until October 8, 2024: beratung@pap-berlin.de

A two-day introduction to the world of theater and film costume design led by stage and costume designer Silvia Albarella for anyone who works with costumes and would like to gain insight into this profession.
The various aspects of costume design will be analyzed by using different costume designs and styles as examples, and illustrated by means of slide shows and the examination of concrete costumes. With the help of warm-ups and playful work with colors and fabrics, participants will be guided to create a costume image. Other costume design practices, such as mask making, dyeing and patination will be taught. Figurines can also be designed with the help of collages. Finally, the result will be documented with photos.
When: Saturday, November 16 + Sunday, November 17, 2024 | 12 p.m – 7 p.m.
Where: Stock of costumes at Kunstquartier Bethanien, Mariannenplatz 2, 10997 Berlin
Course number: FK2.879
Fee: 55 Euro / reduced 29 Euro
Information on course registration: www.vhs-fk.de, vhs@ba-fk.berlin.de

In addition to the open repair and alteration workshop, we are now offering new formats of knowledge transfer that provide information on the background of fast fashion and the numerous environmental and resource-saving alternatives. In cooperation with partners at Haus der Materialisierung (HdM), such as Kunst-Stoffe, STREETWARE saved item and Ort-Schafft-Material, we encourage to develop a more sustainable approach to clothing.
You can find our current offers under Textile Workshop

Our exciting partners at HdM also have great offers: Whether it’s a workshop, interior design or stage design – Kunst-Stoffe will help you with the right materials! At the zero-waste construction and creative market on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 3-7 p.m., you can get advice on planning and designing creative projects with used materials. In the workshop “Zero waste now – this is how sustainable consumption works”, the lending experts from Cosum use practical exercises to show how waste can be avoided in everyday life. BAUFACHFRAU Berlin e.V. is offering a new educational program for multipliers in which the revaluation of materials with signs of use and the design process with a limited supply of materials are taught in a practical way. And together with Berliner Stadtmission, material cycles can be experienced in guided tours and low-threshold techniques and knowledge about the recycling of textiles are taught in workshops.
If you are interested in offers that are not from Kostümkollektiv, send an email to info@kunst-stoffe-berlin.de and they will put you in touch with the workshop leaders directly.

Since 2021, Kostümkollektiv has been involved at Haus der Materialisierung at Alexanderplatz and runs the Zentrum für klimaschonende Ressourcennutzung (ZfkR) under the sponsorship of Kunst-Stoffe e.V. together with other partners. ZfkR is funded within the framework of the Berlin Energy and Climate Protection Program 2030 by the Berlin Senate Department for Urban Mobility, Transport, Climate Action and the Environment.

In six course modules, JIMMI WOW will guide you through the process of creating your own personal and individual sweater or pullover made of wool and/or cashmere, which you will put together from several discarded garments according to your wishes and ideas.
Previous sewing experience is helpful, but not necessary.
When: Thursdays, May 23 + 30 + June 06 + 13 + 20, 2024 | 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. each day
Preliminary meeting: Friday, May 17, 2024 | 4 p.m.
Where: Open textile workshop at Haus der Materialisierung (HdM), Karl-Marx-Allee 1, 10178 Berlin, access via Berolinastraße (see map)
Further information + registration: JIMMI WOW