Labor519 – Culture, Education, Social Affairs and Craft
Labor519 was founded in 2015 by musician Daniela Petry and other creatives
to create an inspiring space for rehearsals, workshops and the development
of artistic projects. The first home in an empty shop on Steeler Straße
quickly developed into a vibrant hub for artistic, social and craft-based
experiments. From the very beginning we have followed a unique approach:
combining culture and craftsmanship with surprising formats and activating
participation opportunities.
Today, Labor519 is based in a two-storey commercial building in Essen’s
southern district, the REALFOOD Space Essen. From here we organise a wide
range of projects that integrate into public space, enable encounters and
link cultural education with sustainability. We see it as our task to make
culture tangible and to put social as well as ecological challenges in the
spotlight.
Our Mission: Sustainable Education and Cultural Promotion
Labor519 connects cultural education, social commitment and craft skills in
innovative projects with a direct impact on sustainability. Our goal is to
promote social participation, overcome educational barriers and support
social justice through cultural programmes. As an independent organisation,
we actively fight cultural and social exclusion and, through our initiatives,
help shape a livable future.
Our Programmes
Cultural Events and Workshops
Labor519 organises inspiring event series such as the “Piano Lounge” in
urban space and the “InterInter” series for improvised arts. Our events
invite people to experience art interactively and encourage exchange between
artists and audiences. These programmes are supported, among others, by the
Cultural Office of the City of Essen and the Ministry of Culture and Science
of North Rhine-Westphalia.
Educational Projects with a Focus on Sustainability
Our craft-based workshops convey practical knowledge: in the wood workshop,
participants learn to work with sustainable materials, and in our solar
module building workshops they discover how energy efficiency can be put
into practice. Thanks to funding from the E.ON Foundation’s “European
Climate Fund”, these projects strengthen environmental awareness.
Social Mediation Projects
Initiatives such as “Raumbau Essen” and the “Tonlichtbühne Pool” provide
non-profit cultural projects with the necessary infrastructure and technical
equipment. Whether room brokerage or technical support, our volunteer-run
programmes ensure that ideas can be realised. The TonLichtBühn-Pool was set
up with the support of the German Theatre Technology Society.
Networking and Consulting Services
We accompany and co-develop smaller social and cultural initiatives in
their project development, support funding applications and help establish a
sustainable network. Our team offers expertise in fields such as graphic
design, video and audio production. We also broker production spaces and
venues in order to support creative projects professionally and to promote
cultural diversity in Essen and beyond.
