Projects from a jewish points of view
We develop projects from Jewish perspectives. We focus on the topics of antisemitism in art and culture, Jews in the GDR, early Zionism and the examination of Jewish traditions. Our work as a cultural organization can be roughly divided into two areas: Artistic projects on the one hand and, on the other, offers of advice, further education and networking.
Artistic projectsConsultancy, Training, Networks
Artistic projects
The work of the Institute for New Social Sculpture is often characterized by interdisciplinary productions such as performances, exhibitions and theater. In close cooperation with cultural venues, theaters and museums, our artistic projects cover the topics of contemporary Judaism, antisemitism and the culture of remembrance. One focus of our curatorial work is on making Jewish artists visible and empowering them.
Jewish School of Art
The Jewish School of Art is comprised of courses by internationally renowned artists for Jewish students and other young adults who are critical of antisemitism. Through masterclasses and workshops in a range of disciplines the Institute fosters the artistic development of students of the arts and young professionals.
House of Diaspora
Die Performance-Serie »House of Diaspora« übersetzt Bräuche, Riten und Traditionen des jüdischen Jahreszyklus in einen zeitgenössischen Kontext. »House of Diaspora« konzentriert sich auf die Diversität jüdischen Lebens in der deutschen Diaspora und ermöglicht die Wissensweitergabe von weitestgehend unbekanntem jüdischem Wissen, Auslegungen und Kulturen. Ein Beispiel für diese Serie sind die bereits mehrfach ausgerichteten Purimsphile an den Münchner Kammerspielen.
Where to now? Topographies of Jewish survival after 1945
Hundreds of thousands of Jews asked the question Where to now? following their liberation in 1945. At Institut für Neue Soziale Plastik we have taken up this question to explore it anew, creating a series of artistic events in co-operation with Munich’s Kammerspiele theatre. In autumn 2025 Kammerspiele will platform a programme with two world premieres and a dense series of multi-disciplinary accompanying events.
Writing about ›the situation‹
Through its project Writing about ›the situation‹ the Institute has commissioned new texts by Israeli authors and Jewish authors in the Diaspora. Following October 7 they regularly write new pieces about an evolving present marked by great pain and a lack of security.
Dualidarity – a phonecall under fire
Dualidarity (in the German original: Dualidarität) is a new theatre piece by acclaimed Israeli playwright Avishai Milstein that was commissioned by Institut für Neue Soziale Plastik. Sharply observed and pointedly put it spells out the contradictory reactions of the German theatre world to the events of October 7 and their aftermath.
jewish cultureclub eastberlin
The jewish cultureclub eastberlin organises film screenings, scenic readings, performances, collects film testimonials with Jews from East Berlin, and has edited a publication with new essays and literary collages. The project’s team offers training for and co-operation with cultural institutions interested in antisemitism or memorial culture of the GDR.
Messingwerk
Das Institut betreibt eine Ausstellung zur jüdischen Geschichte Brandenburgs in Messingwerk. Sie erzählt von der Hachschara Bewegung, der Rückkehr jüdischer Emigranten in die DDR und von der Einwanderung von Jüdinnen:Juden nach dem Zusammenbruch der Sowjetunion. Etwa zwei Gehminuten von der Ausstellung entfernt betreibt das Institut außerdem ein Gartenprojekt, das von den Ideen der Hachschara inspiriert ist.
Jewish Ossis
Jewish Ossis is a festival series organized by the Institute in co-operation with Hans Otto Theater Potsdam. The series explores the lives and work of Jewish re-migrants in the GDR and their descendants.
Consultancy, Training, Networks
The Institute for New Social Sculpture has a high level of expertise in topics related to antisemitism, art and culture thanks to its many years of collaboration with independent artists, artistic groups and cultural institutions. This knowledge enables us to offer advice and training tailored to the cultural sector, to develop academic handouts and to expand a network of Jewish artists and artists critical of antisemitism.
Open Arts Hub
In Trägerschaft des Instituts für Neue Soziale Plastik und OFEK e.V. bündelt das Projekt Open Arts Hub die Angebote für Berliner Kulturschaffende und Kunsteinrichtungen beider Einrichtungen in einer Anlaufstelle.
Reclaim Artistic Freedom
The project Reclaim Artistic Freedom is a networking and advocacy project addressing antisemitism in the arts and culture from the points of view of Jewish artists and allies who share the critique of antisemitism.
In-depth study: German-Israeli cultural relations
May 2025 marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Germany and Israel. At this occasion Institut für Neue Soziale Plastik takes an in-depth look at German-Israeli cultural relations to assess their status, also by conducting expert interviews.