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Access Art Schools Berlin

source: Mahgol Mohammadi

Access Art Schools Berlin is a joint project that prepares at-risk students for artistic and academic studies in Berlin. It offers a range of support measures for prospective students. The concept is tailored to the needs of the target group and aligns with the overall support framework for at-risk persons at Berlin University of the Arts. The individual programs offered by Berlin University of the Arts and Ernst Busch Academy of Dramatic Arts are open to all at-risk applicants to Berlin’s art academies, while the joint initiatives provide a strong advisory and support structure to help ensure successful applications.

PROGRAM 2026

# University Preparation Courses

  • 3 German courses at levels B2.1, B2.2 and C1

Currently the registration is open for the C1 course (online, 01.06. – 31.07.26).
Additional services: Student advisory service – social gatherings and academic guidance.

  • 1st Get-Together: 22.06., 4 p.m., Café Kubik, Hardenbergstr. 33 (3rd floor), open for all prospective students at risk

# Common Ground Meetings

  • Common Ground Studio meetings with participants
  • Common Ground Community meetings with all prospective students from the German courses, with a focus on Ukrainian and Farsi

# Day excursions

to Berlin’s art colleges (UdK, HfS, e.g. Weißensee Academy of Art Berlin, Konrad Wolf Film University Babelsberg) in cooperation with the Buddy Programme at the Ernst Busch Academy of Dramatic Arts

Team

Dr. Melanie Waldheim (Head of project management, Artist Training), Lisa Hoffmann (co-project management), Yevheniia Perutska, Mahgol Mohammadi (Common Ground), Dr. Mareike Brlecic Layer (Student Advisory Service)

Funding

The project Access Art Schools Berlin in cooperation with the Hochschule für Schauspielkunst Ernst Busch is funded from May till December 2026, as well as from April to December 2025 by special funds for participation for refugees, Senate Department Berlin.

Archive from 2025

  • Study Preparation

    Course 1 (B2.1): 02.06. – 01.08.2025
    Course 2 (B2.2): 18.08. – 10.10.2025
    Course 3 (C1): 29.09. – 28.11.2025

    • German courses (B2 – C1)

    • Conversation courses and study skills workshops

    • Get-together and individual study counseling

    Online Workshop: "Introduction to Studying at an Art College in Germany and Berlin" (in English)
    23.06. 10:00 – 12:00 am
    22.09. 10:00 – 12:00 am (together with the International Office)

    Get-Together: Monthly meeting of prospective students and UdK students at risk

    20.06. 17:00 – 19:00 Café Menta, Emser Str. 24, 10719 Berlin

    20.07. 14:00 – 15:30 Hardenbergstr. 33, in the garden/courtyard
    (part of Access Art Schools on Tour @UdK Berlin)

    11.09. 15:00 Hardenbergstr. 33, Room 004

    11.11. 17:30-19:00 Café Nero (Eingang: Bibliothek), Fasanenstr. 88 

    Beyond German (Presentation Techniques)
    Ernst Busch Academy of Dramatic Arts

    Day Excursions to the Berlin Art Academies

    09.07. from 10:00 Access Art Schools on Tour @HfS

    20.07. 12:00 – 17:00
    Access Art Schools on Tour @UdK Berlin
    Meeting point: Hardenbergstr. 33, Garden

    Program: 12:00 Community Meeting / 13:00 Art Tour Hardenbergstr. / 14:00 Get-together in the garden / 15:30 Meeting for the joint trip to the Medienhaus / 16:00 Art Tour Medienhaus

    19.11. Access Art Schools on Tour @Weißensee Kunsthochschule Berlin 

    Meeting point: Bühringstraße 20, 13086 Berlin

    Program: Presentation of the International Office including counselling services for international students with Leoni Adams / A guided tour through the Hochschule / A conversation with Prof. Dr. Ulf Aminde

    20.11. 10:00 - 13:00 Access Art Schools on Tour @Filmuniversität Babelsberg KONRAD WOLF

    Program: Presentation of the Film University/artistic degree programs and PrepClass / Presentation of the International Office, including advisory services for international students / Guided tour of the Film University by a student / Discussion with international students

    Meeting point: Marlene-Dietrich-Allee 11, 14482 Potsdam, Main entrance 

    Artist Training Modules

    for Music, Visual Arts, Performing Arts and Film

    udk-berlin.de/ziw/artisttrainingregistrierung

    20.08. – 05.09.2025: Building New Horizons: Artistic Empowerment for Artists at Risk – Ruba Adwan
    08.09. – 12.09.2025: Self-Presentation and Networking for Professional Filmmakers at Risk – Natalija Yefimkina & Henner Winckler
    15.09. – 27.09.2025: Basic Tools for a New Start in the Berlin Performing Arts Scene – Maryna Makarenko & Anna Volkland
    02.10. – 28.11.2025: AI Storytelling – Sina Ataeian
    06.10. – 17.10.2025: Building Your Music Life in Berlin: A Practical Guide – Soheil Soheili & Niki Yaghmaee

    Common Ground Community Meetings

    in Ukrainian, Farsi and Arabic
    https://www.instagram.com/commonground.udk/

    Professionalization Training for Employees

    COMMUNICATION

    “Kunsthochschulen tragen Verantwortung, gesellschaftliche Teilhabe zu ermöglichen.”
    – Prof. Dr. Markus Hilgert, President UdK Berlin

    “Right now it is especially important that we show Artists at Risk that Berlin's cultural scene not only tolerates them, but wants and needs them.”
    – Dr. Anna Luise Kiss, Rector HfS Ernst Busch Berlin

    Press Release

  • Dr. Melanie Waldheim (Head of project management, Artist Training), Corinna Whyment (German courses), Dr. Mareike Brlecic Layer (co-project management, Study skills) and Alejandra Nieves Camacho + Alice Rugai (professionalization), Sven Dolinski (HfS), Yevheniia Perutska, Mahgol Mohammadi, Dai Solayman (Common Ground).

  • The project Access Art Schools Berlin in cooperation with the Hochschule für Schauspielkunst Ernst Busch was funded by special funds for participation for refugees, Senate Department Berlin, from April to December 2025.

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