Networks

Freischwimmen light is the follow-up project to Freischwimmen (2018–2023) and supports emerging artists and groups in the independent performing arts. Eight production houses from Austria, Germany and Switzerland offer networking opportunities, shared resources and non-monetary support. In this way, the platform promotes sustainable working structures and international artistic exchange.

Becoming Allies is an open networking and exchange platform for anyone involved in accessibility, inclusion and participation in the performing arts. It brings together interested parties, allies, artists, cultural workers, accessibility experts and people with lived experience to share knowledge, reflect on structures and further develop inclusive approaches.

The Project Office for Diversity focuses on anti-discrimination approaches within the cultural sector. Together with over 90 initiatives and institutions, D—Arts pools knowledge, forges alliances and works towards structural change. Exchange, advice and collective learning empower marginalised practitioners and promote fairer working conditions as well as a diverse cultural landscape.

Kulturen in bewegung is an arts and culture organisation run by the Vienna Institute for International Dialogue and Cooperation (VIDC). It supports artists and cultural workers from diaspora communities and the Global South and promotes their participation in the Austrian cultural sector. Projects and outreach programmes create spaces for encounter and foster a diverse, equitable and solidarity-based understanding of culture. brut Wien is part of the Academy of Unlearning mentoring programme.

Die Vielen is a coalition of artists, cultural workers, institutions and art universities in Austria, founded in 2019. Through activities, happenings and events, they campaign against hatred, group-focused hostility and racialisation. As an open, voluntary network, it creates space for exchange and solidarity and advocates for a pluralistic, just and open society.

PAKT – Plattform der Häuser darstellender Künste (Platform for Performing Arts Venues) is an association of publicly funded, non-profit Viennese venues dedicated to contemporary performing arts. The network advocates for fair working conditions, adequate funding, planning security and diversity within Vienna’s theatre, dance and performance scene. In addition, with the KommPAKT! subscription, visitors can experience five performances at five different Viennese venues.

Huggy Bears is an established support programme for emerging performance artists from Vienna, run by the Bears in the Park initiative. Each year, it supports three to four individuals or collectives in the development of their stage works, providing production and administrative support, technical and dramaturgical advice, feedback sessions and opportunities to showcase their work. The programme culminates in the yearly Huggy Bears Days, in collaboration with brut Wien and WUK performing arts.

Imagining Futures was a European network of independent performance festivals from the UK and the EU. Through dialogue on climate change, sustainability, representation, care and artistic development, the participating organisations explored new forms of collaboration and festival production. Joint experimental commissioned works translated the topics discussed into artistic practice.

Be spectACTive! was an EU network for audience participation in the performing arts. Artistic productions and participatory formats actively involved audience members in creative and organisational processes. At brut Wien, the audience club BEATE took part in exchanges, programme planning and international meetings. The network, co-funded by Creative Europe, brought together 19 partner organisations across 15 European countries.

Freischwimmen was an international platform for exchange and production aimed at emerging artists and groups working in theatre and performance. The network supported artistic development through residencies, labs, showings and guest performances. It was supported by brut Wien, FFT Düsseldorf, Gessnerallee Zurich, HochX Munich, LOFFT – DAS THEATER Leipzig, Schwankhalle Bremen, Sophiensæle Berlin and Theater Rampe Stuttgart.