Kampnagel Internationale Kulturfabrik GmbH
Kampnagel is an international center for contemporary performing arts in Hamburg. With six stages and a diverse program, it promotes artistic innovation and social relevance. The cultural center is committed to sustainability and diversity.
Kampnagel: A Center for Contemporary Performing Arts
editHistory and Development
editKampnagel, originally founded in 1865 as Maschinenfabrik Nagel & Kaemp, has a rich history that ranges from the production of rice mills and ship and harbor cranes to its transformation into a cultural center. After World War II and the subsequent production of forklifts until 1981, the site was repurposed in 1982 as a venue for contemporary performing arts[2][3].
Key Products and Services
editKampnagel is today a world-renowned international production house that presents a wide range of cultural offerings. It features six stages and event spaces with capacities ranging from 150 to 2,500 seats, used for theater, dance, performance, music, concerts, conferences, and various festivals. The program includes works by international artists as well as the local Hamburg scene and covers a broad spectrum of aesthetic positions and pioneering trends[3][5].
Main Mission and Values
editKampnagel serves as a productive laboratory for idea development, a think tank, and a place for controversies, opening up to society and processing the surrounding reality in art. The house strives to provide an open and diverse platform that promotes artistic innovation and social relevance. Since 2007, Kampnagel has been led by director Amelie Deuflhard, who continues to advance this mission[2][3].
Sustainability Goals and Initiatives
editKampnagel is engaged in various initiatives to strengthen its sustainability and social responsibility. This includes participation in the alliance of international production houses and involvement in networks such as Europe Beyond Access and the EU network "ATTITUDES." Additionally, Kampnagel is part of the GG 5.3 initiative and the Hamburg Declaration of the Many, which advocate for diversity and anti-discrimination. A planned renovation and expansion of the site starting in 2025, to be carried out while continuing operations, aims to make the infrastructure sustainable and future-proof[3][5].
Current Developments
editKampnagel remains a dynamic and growing cultural venue. The International Summer Festival, held annually in August, is a highlight of the program. Furthermore, in spring 2022, the French architect duo Anne Lacaton & Jean-Philippe Vassal was commissioned for the renovation and expansion of the cultural factory, which will be financed with costs amounting to 120 million euros by the Federal Republic and the city of Hamburg. These measures secure the long-term future of Kampnagel as a central place for contemporary arts[5].
Kampnagel is thus not only a cultural center but also a vibrant part of the Hamburg and international cultural landscape, constantly exploring new paths in art and social dialogue.