"Sustainability" is more than just a buzzword; for fabrik Potsdam, it is also the reason to reflect on the impact of its own work. According to studies, the largest footprint in the cultural sector comes from audience travel. The sustainable value lies in bringing together people, ideas, and creativity. However, the areas for more sustainability are numerous and can also be found in small measures. Here is a brief overview of fabrik’s efforts:
ENVIRONMENT
fabrikcafé
At fabrikcafé, à la maison exclusively offers vegetarian and vegan food.
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Printed materials are produced on recycled paper or on materials sourced from responsible (FSC®) or sustainable (PEFC) forest management. Print runs are calculated as accurately as possible, and digital communication channels are used intensively.
Energy consumption
With funding from the state of Brandenburg, new stage equipment was purchased in 2024, reducing electricity consumption on stage by 80%. Solar panels are also included to power mobile performances in Brandenburg. In addition, funding is being applied for to acquire electric vehicles.
Water
The fabrik collects rainwater in a reservoir that falls on the roof of the building. This water is then used to water the plants in the fabrik garden.
Trees
The trees in front of the fabrik and in the garden each have a name. They were planted by choreographers in the 1990s and named after them. One of them is called Françoise, planted by Martine Pisani.
Travel of companies
In consultation with invited artists, train travel is preferred. Intercontinental tours are organized with other presenters to optimize travel.
Audience travel
During Potsdamer Tanztage, presale tickets are valid as transportation passes for Berlin ABC (including Potsdam). This encourages festival attendees to travel by public transport.
ACCESSIBILITY
Buildings accessibility
The stage, fabrikcafé, and two studios in the studio house are accessible without stairs for people with limited mobility. A wheelchair-accessible restroom is available in the foyer. Plans are in place to renovate the staff and artists' restrooms and showers to make them wheelchair accessible.
Audio description
In collaboration with Gravity Access Services Berlin, fabrik Potsdam offers audio descriptions and tactile tours—called Haptic Access Tours—for selected dance performances. Audio description is a live audio track spoken by a professional audio describer through a wireless headset system for viewers with visual impairments. Additionally, Haptic Access Tours (20-30 minutes) are live pre-performance tours to experience the space, performers, costumes, and objects through touch.
Inclusive participation
fabrik Potsdam strives to make workshops accessible to all. While not all needs can be met, participants with special requirements are encouraged to indicate their needs during registration. The team makes efforts to accommodate and support them whenever possible.
Teacher awareness of different abilities
All teachers at Potsdamer Tanztage are surveyed to reflect on the suitability of their workshops for participants with special needs and to share their experiences. This ensures a thoughtful and informed approach to accommodating a broad range of abilities.
EDUCATION
Dance and movement classes
An important pillar of fabrik's work is the direct experience of dance through regular courses and workshops. Nearly 200 people take advantage of these offerings weekly.
Young audiences
As part of explore dance—dance for young audiences—and other projects, fabrik maintains long-term relationships with schools and daycare centers to foster access to dance and exchanges with artists. By 2023, more than 20 schools and daycares in Potsdam have collaborated with fabrik.
Course scholarships
Each year, fabrik offers course scholarships to families, allowing recipients to attend courses of their choice free of charge for a full year.
Training
The fabrik team includes several trainees and volunteers (FSJ Kultur) in event technology, office communication, dance, and education. fabrik also collaborates with the UCLY Faculty in Lyon for student internships.
Talks with the artists
Audience discussions are a fixed part of the fabrik Potsdam program and take place after selected performances. The exchange with the artists is direct and moderated by fabrik staff.
SUSTAINABLE COLLABORATIONS
Dance Initiative Brandenburg
As a co-founder of the Dance Initiative Brandenburg, fabrik Potsdam works with more than 50 choreographers and partners to establish sustainable collaborations and structures for dance in Brandenburg.
Tanz Weit Draußen
fabrik Potsdam is part of the nationwide Tanz Weit Draußen network, which aims to strengthen and develop contemporary dance in rural areas. Dance as a physical art form is directly linked to social, political and societal issues of the present – and is therefore important everywhere, even and especially in places where there is little of it.
Local collaborations
As part of the Potsdam Schiffbauergasse location and within the framework of its regional networks, fabrik Potsdam supports local projects and dance productions through residencies, co-productions, and guest performances. It also collaborates with other institutions to organize festivals, such as the Made in Potsdam festival.
International and national residency networks
Long-standing international networks provide the framework for shared residencies and productions with other institutions and theaters in Europe and Canada: Étape danse is a European residency program between Potsdam, St Quentin (near Paris), and Turin. Studio Québec is an exchange between Potsdam and Montréal. Explore dance is a network in collaboration with Potsdam, Munich, Hamburg, and Dresden for residencies and productions for young audiences.
Art & Climate – Festival for Sustainability
The Art & Climate festival takes place every two years, focusing on artistic projects related to sustainability. With performances, workshops, and discussions, sustainability is explored through the lens of art — with a different sensitivity, sensibility, and communication.