The former water tower of Oberhausen has been given new life by the artist collective kitev (Kultur im Turm e.V). After the tower lost its original function, re-utilizing it was difficult, due to the unusual construction of the building. In 2006, a group of local artists came together in the collective kitev to renovate and reutilize the monument. Nowadays, the water tower is utilized as a place where interdisciplinary artistic projects are developed and executed, as well as exhibitions and events. Furthermore, social projects are conducted from the water tower.
The city of Oberhausen is part of the European Route of Industrial Heritage, embracing its industrial past. The 33-meter high Oberhausen water tower, located next to the main train station of Oberhausen, was built in 1897. It is considered a building of architectural and historic interest and is currently under monument protection. After it lost its original function, it left behind an empty space that, due to its constructions, was not easy to reuse. [1]
In 2006, a collective of local artists, who came together under the name ‘Kultur im Turm e.V.’ (kitev), developed the idea of renovating the water tower and utilizing the levels below the concrete water tanks for artistic and creative projects. They started the transformation of the space into an experimental venue for interdisciplinary art projects. Nowadays, the water tower is kitev is the contact point for artistic residencies in the area. Social projects are also conducted from the water tower. These are for example focused on the integration of immigrants, like the project ‘Refugees’ Kitchen’, through which a mobile kitchen was operated by refugees. The activities conducted by kitev are not bound to the water tower, but spread throughout the town of Oberhausen, for example through performances on different locations in town. Kitev also cooperates with public and non-profit organisations to conduct social and artistic projects, for example in light of the Kreativ.Quartiere Ruhr programme. [1;2;3]
Kultur im Turm e.V. (kitev) was founded as a registered voluntary association in 2006, out of an idea of the artistic organisations of Atelier Stark and Tank FX. The initiative is led, executed and maintained by this artists’ collective Kitev. They cooperate with a wide network of public, social and creative organisations for project-specific activities. Kitev promotes engagement of the local community to fulfil the social and cultural needs of the town. [2]
The German railway company is the formal owner of the building and has provided kitev with a 20-year rent-free contract on the condition that the space is used for artistic activities. Around €680.000,- has been invested in the building. 80% of this is provided by a federal-state programme aimed at supporting citizen initiatives, 10% is provided by the municipality of Oberhausen, 10% comes from sponsoring and voluntary contributions (both monetary and in-kind) mobilized through Kitev. During the renovations of the building, Kitev was able to mobilize volunteers from the local community to help them execute the work. [1] For the execution of specific projects, kitev, often in collaboration with other organisations, mobilizes funding through other local, regional and European public funding programmes. [2]
This case is also featured in the HUB-IN Business and Financing Model Guide.
This guide provides you with a state of the art overview of business, financing and governance models, relevant to the heritage-led regeneration of Historic Urban Areas.
Cultural Heritage in Action (2021), Watertower quenches cultural thirst, available at culturalheritageinaction.eu/water-tower-quenches-cultural-thirst/, accessed on 20-12-2021
Kitev, organisational website, available at kitev.de/, accessed on 20-12-2021
Urbane Künste Ruhr, kitev, available on www.urbanekuensteruhr.de/en/artist/kitev, accessed on 20-12-2021