Patrons: Leticia Castagna, Emma Dadalau, Marie Günther, Anton (Engelbertstraße Primary School, Class 4a) and Lara Sophie Herbst, Matilda Jahnke, Fiona Nickel, Phil Sachs (Märkisches Gymnasium Schwelm, Class 8c)

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Commission: We would like a place for children AND young people together in public space – right in the middle of the city – where encounters and movement can happen. This place, space, site is an artwork – made specifically for children and young people!

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Mediator: Kattrin Deufert

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Artist: Antje Velsinger

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Period: 2026 ongoing

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Partner: Kulturstiftung des Bundes (German Federal Cultural Foundation)

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Program: Citizen-Commissioned Dance and Performance

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Most cities offer playgrounds for children and activities for young people. But those who are too old for the playground and still too young for youth clubs often find few places in public space where they can simply meet – without consumption, without a program, without performance pressure.

At the southern edge of the Ruhr region, young people aged nine to ten and thirteen to fourteen have therefore come together to formulate a commission. For their city of Schwelm, they envision an artwork that connects their age groups.

“Children have rights. Does anyone know that? We have a right to leisure time. For that, we need free time and a free space!”

From the Commission

The commissioning group wants to initiate a work that enables encounters and movement. They are looking for a protected and safe setting where they can spend time together – one that is not fully organized by adults.

“It should feel like a living room under the open sky, but without too many rules – it can be chaotic, loud and colourful! Everyone should feel welcome!”

From the Commission

Since November 2025, the group has been meeting regularly with mediator Kattrin Deufert, accompanied by art teacher Niklas Berndt. Through conversations, drawings, photographs, and shared walks through the city, the students have developed ideas and gradually shaped their commission. Instead of more vacant buildings in the city center, they are calling for spaces of possibility – places to try things out and simply spend time together. 

“We need spaces of possibility. Spaces that are special – that truly invite people to stay, gather and be together.”

From the Commission

After several meetings in Schwelm, the group awarded its commission to choreographer and performer Antje Velsinger. Her work is rooted in extensive research and close exchange with people from a wide range of social and academic fields. Through stage productions, performances, and installations, she creates alternative spaces of refuge and retreat while exploring new ways of responding to the challenges of our time. Her current series, Future Relations, likewise investigates how new forms of relationships might emerge in the face of ongoing social crises.

Antje Velsinger's work has been presented at venues including Mousonturm Frankfurt, Tanzhaus NRW Düsseldorf, PACT Zollverein Essen, C60 Bochum, EinTanzHaus Mannheim, Schwankhalle Bremen, Sophiensæle Berlin, the Music Biennale Zagreb, and Kampnagel Hamburg. She is the artistic director of the performance label new trouble, through which she develops most of her projects. 

“Exploring together with children and young people how artistic practice can open up space for their wishes and perspectives within the fabric of the city—that is an exciting choreographic challenge.”

Antje Velsinger, artist