Creative.Quarters International
The Ruhr's "Creative.Quarters" project is developing models for the "creative city of the future". Creative minds from all over Europe are involved in the process. The result will be international partnerships that contribute to establishing and expanding a pan-European network and serve reciprocal exchange, for instance the project showcase at EXPO Shanghai or the multi-facetted cooperations with partners from the Netherlands.
The international coopera¬tion and project partners of the "Creative.Quarters" project include:
Ruhr Residenz Rotterdam Subsidiary of the Ruhr's creative industry
Creative Factory - Maashaven Zuidzijd 2, Rotterdam / Photo: Leo van Loon
The first Ruhr Residenz was opened by ecce in the Creative Factory Rotterdam on 1 April 2010. It offers creative companies from the Ruhr Metropolis two workplaces and an apartment for flexible time periods and on a rental or grant basis.
The Creative Factory's location means that it is well integrated with the local creative scene. During 2010, ecce is hoping to cooperate with at least one more European city. The Ruhr Residenz Rotterdam may therefore be the first step towards establishing a Europe-wide network of "creative residences". A network of this kind would give creative companies the opportunity to extend the geographical scope of their activities, tap into foreign markets and make contacts across Europe.
GastGastgeber A creative, cultural project of discovery, networking and building conversion from the Netherlands
"Blob" by Dutch designer Jurgen Bey (SKOR Foundation with Eindhoven Technical University) / Photo: Dutch Consulate General/Arno Pronk
"GastGastgeber" unites the Creative.Quarters of the Ruhr Metropolis with a number of Dutch Capital of Culture projects ranging from theatre through music and the visual arts, (landscape) architecture and design to new media and the creative industry. Themselves guests in the Ruhr region, the Dutch participants will offer unusual lodgings, assuming the role of host and so becoming "GastGastgeber" (guest hosts).
The lodgings are located at the focal point of projects being realised by the Dutch art and creative scene, for instance in Oberhausen’s railway station buildings, on the Emscher Island, close to the Dortmund U and on a parking deck of the A40 in Bochum. Dutch architects and designers are responsible for designing the temporary, imaginative accommodation. They will breathe fresh life into unused buildings and spaces of land, transforming them into attractive places of interest. GastGastgeber lodgings are more than simply a bed for the night. They are stages, playgrounds and marketplaces for ideas. And they are ideal starting points for discovery tours of the European Capital of Culture RUHR.2010. Plus, with the hosts being Dutch, it goes without saying that bicycles will feature now and again!
Košice INTERFACE 2013
Barracks/cultural park / Photo: Košice 2013 Archives
Before Košice in Slovakia is crowned Capital of Culture in 2013, "Košice INTERFACE 2013" will become known within the creative scene. The Ruhr Metropolis is acting as a key partner at the Slovakian city's side.
The European Capital of Culture RUHR.2010 is cooperating with Košice in the development of the future "Kaserna" Creative.Quarter, a former Russian Army barracks in the centre of the city. Parties to the cooperation agreement are the Capital of Culture organiser Košice INTERFACE 2013, Slovakian RWE subsidiary VSE and RUHR.2010’s european centre for creative economy (ecce). The partners will work together with a view to Košice’s long-term municipal, economic and cultural development.
RUHR.2010 is supporting this process, contributing know-how and best-practice examples garnered from a region that is itself experiencing and combating structural change. A residency programme involving Košice and the Ruhr Metropolis will be set up as part of the “Creative.Quarters” project. Meanwhile, Košice will be home to one of the first international studios of "2010LAB.tv". The city will also have a dedicated channel on "2010LAB.tv". Košice will participate in international creative industry discussion and benefit from the Ruhr region’s diverse contacts concerned with the development and promotion of the creative economy. A grant programme for students will be developed with the support of VSE.
RUHR.2010 goes to Shanghai
The Dortmund U and a Glass Creative.Quarter on tour
Creative.Quarters goes to Shanghai / Photo: RUHR.2010/Katja Lucker
RUHR.2010 will be represented no less than twice at the EXPO in Shanghai: in the German Pavilion and during NRW Week. The German Pavilion will include a showcase of the European Capital of Culture RUHR.2010. The focal point of the stand will be the Dortmund U and its uses in the past and the future, serving to illustrate further Creative.Quarters.
In China, and in Shanghai specifically, the development of creative quarters has increased greatly in recent years. Artists need the right environment in which to develop their ideas. During NRW Week, RUHR.2010 will build a Glass Creative.Quarter at the EXPO in Shanghai.