The awardees 2020

With more than 130 submissions from all over Germany, the jury selected ten representative projects of exceptional note.

The Power of the Arts explicitly supports cultural projects that advocate for an open society. They leverage the tools of art to address highly relevant social topics in order to proactively contribute toward greater diversity, participation, and inclusion. The prize was initiated by Philip Morris GmbH and is now being awarded for the fourth year in a row. 

“Particularly in times of crisis, the important role art and culture play in society and how they can contribute in bringing people together becomes apparent. At the same time, providing support for these fields is becoming ever more important as many artists have been among the hardest hit from the restrictions under the corona pandemic,” says Elfriede Buben,  Head of Corporate Responsibility at Philip Morris GmbH.

SPIEGEL|Arche by Der Grüne Salon e.V. from Rolisleben (Thuringia)

SPIEGEL|Arche in Roldisleben (Thuringia) creates a space for encounters between heaven and earth in the spirit of art. It stands for openness, tolerance, and curiosity. The space is comprised of two containers stacked on top of each other carrying mirrors on the outside. Fabian Knecht will be the first renowned artist to be featured at SPIEGEL|Archein 2021, giving visitors a new perspective on their surroundings and themselves.

Baynatna & FANN, wearedoingit e.V. from Berlin

Baynatna, the first Arabic-language library in Berlin and the digital art and culture magazine FANN have come together in “Baynatna & FANN” to create spaces for creativity, communication, and inspiration for performing and creative artists and academics.

Soura Filmfestival e.V. from Berlin

The Soura Film Festival in Berlin focuses on queer films from the Middle East and North Africa, offering a platform and the opportunity to tell their stories to LGBTQI+ filmmakers who have experienced persecution or censorship.

Sexability by Thikwa Werkstatt für Theater und Kunst der nbw gGmbH from Berlin

The project “Sexability” is an inclusive film & educational project by THIKWA WERKSTATT FÜR THEATER UND KUNST from nbw gGmbH and Anne-Christin Plate which is addressing the topics of diversity in sexuality from the perspective of artists with disabilities. A creative process involving people with and without disabilities yields an animated film that informs, enlightens, and breaks social taboos with sensitivity.

Musiklusion – Digitale Partizipation by Lebenshilfe Tuttlingen e.V.

In “Musiklusion – Digital Participation”, people with and without disabilities digitally develop collaborative music videos in Tuttlingen (Baden-Württemberg) for more social participation in an artistic-cultural context, enabling them to continue their creative work even under pandemic conditions.

Access Maker by Un-Label e.V. from Cologne

With its new program “Access Maker”, the Performing Arts Company Un-Label from Cologne is rolling out a qualification process for more inclusion and diversity at cultural institutions with the aid of workshops and consulting via creative artists with and without disabilities and diverse cultural backgrounds.

Himmel über Adelsheim // Eine Knastoper by Stuttgarter Kammerorchester e.V. from Stuttgart

For the prison opera project “Himmel über Adelsheim”, the Stuttgart Chamber Orchestra is joined by conductor Anna-Sophie Brüning and rapper Afrob to work with young inmates at Adelsheim Penitentiary. The even-handed collaboration creates a musical theatre where prisoners can turn their own stories into opera.

MeetKinoMobil by MPower e.V. from Berlin

Berlin “MeetKinoMobil” leverages the medium of film to provide access to art and culture for young women with refugee and migration backgrounds.

Nach:Denkmal by Fuchsbau e.V. from Hannover

The project “Nach:Denkmal” in Hanover features ten artists with refugee and migration backgrounds using local monuments to create works that position the stories of their Hanover communities in the public arena and initiate a new approach to the culture of remembrance.

Due to project-related reasons, the tenth winner of The Power of the Arts will be announced at a later date.