All Together Now: adapting the Manchester model in the heart of the Ruhr and building a creative alliance for climate action
C-Change has been a story of coming together in Gelsenkirchen – city culture and climate change departments, artists and creative and cultural organisations, and city and sector. Initial scepticism on the sector’s side regarding what was initially seen as a more top-down city approach, was overcome as the city’s role evolved into more of a facilitation role and following a study visit to Manchester in 2019 when members of Gelsenkirchen’s C-Change group - an artist, youth theatre director, musical theatre director and trainee with a leading event organiser - had the opportunity for peer exchange and learning.
At the end of 2019, the group shifted shape with the launch of the DIE KLIMARTIST*EN - a network for climate action through the cultural and creative sector. Under DIE KLIMARTIST*EN banner a range of creative initiatives on climate started to flourish and Gelsenkirchen has become a sought-after partner in the city and the region. As a result of C-Change, the city has now set out its intention to both involve the cultural and creative sector in the process of developing its new climate action strategy and include sector support in resulting programmes.
Watch the Gelsenkirchen film
“C-Change has helped us to see culture in a new light and we would like to embed this strategically in the city’s new climate action concept.”
Susanne Dippel, Climate Action Manager, City of Gelsenkirchen
“C-Change and, in particular our study visit to Manchester, provided us with new impetus for our sustainability strategy.”
Tobias Werner, Director, Musiktheater im Revier
Find out what climate action means to the Musiktheater im Revier
