Mission
Making a Difference (MAD) is a Berlin-based network project supporting the independent work of disabled, D/deaf and chronically ill artists in dance. We create high-quality, accessible production opportunities through residencies and co-productions and support the transfer of knowledge on accessible working conditions and anti-ableist cultural work through artist labs and workshops.
In collaboration with partners from Berlin’s dance scene, such as the Uferstudios, Tanzfabrik Berlin, Sophiensaele, Junges Tanzhaus Berlin/TanzZeit, Tanzbüro Berlin, HZT Berlin, LAFT Berlin, FAIRSTAGE, HAU Hebbel am Ufer/Tanz im August and Radialsystem, as well as nationwide collaborations with Kampnagel Hamburg, tanzhaus nrw, Theater RAMPE Stuttgart, Festival Theaterformen/Real Dance Festival Hannover/Braunschweig and the University of the Arts in Social Contexts, Ottersberg, MAD’s model for cross-regional collaboration makes visible and raises the profile of disabled, D/deaf and chronically ill artists.
The aesthetics of access is a key focus of the project. MAD supports artists as experts in the artistic application of accessibility, such as audio description, relaxed performance or sign language(s). A key principle is that all artistic leadership and expert roles within the project are held by disabled, Deaf and chronically ill artists. Working in this way not only enables sustainable access to work, but also safeguards artistic knowledge in accessible production in the long term and embedding inclusive structures in dance.
History
Between 2018 and 2024, Making a Difference was a Berlin-based network with the support of the German Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media, and the Berlin Senate Department for Culture and Social Cohesion. From 2021 it was co-led by Anne Rieger and Noa Winter, supporting artists such as … In 2022, MAD began its focus on the aesthetics of access which shaped and is still forming many of its current working principles and guidelines. With the end of this funding phase, responsibility for the project within the network passed from the Sophiensælen to the Uferstudios.
Since July 2024, the project was funded by the Berlin Senate Department for Culture and Social Cohesion and co-led by Juli Reinarzt and Leo Naomi Baur, joined by Diana Paiva in 2025.
Since March 2026, new partners in and beyond Berlin have joined the network and thus made Making a Difference a project spanning six federal states, collaborating on creating inclusive working and touring structures in Germany. Once again supported as part of the TANZPAKT Stadt-Land-Bund programme, with funding from the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media, the Berlin Senate Department for Culture and Social Cohesion, and now also the Centre for Cultural Participation in Baden-Württemberg. The collaboration with Kampnagel Hamburg is funded by the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg, Department of Culture and Media.
Making a Difference is currently led by Juli Reinartz (she/her), Diana Paiva (they or no pronouns) and Kate Brehme (she/her).
- Email: mad@uferstudios.com
- Tel: +49 30 460 60 887
- Email: mad@uferstudios.com
- Tel: +49 30 460 60 887
- Email: mad@uferstudios.com
- Tel: +49 30 460 60 887
The Network
Associated partners
Funded by:
Making a Difference is a network project by Uferstudios GmbH, Tanzfabrik Berlin, Sophiensaele, Junges Tanzhaus Berlin/TanzZeit, Tanzbüro Berlin, Hochschulübergreifendes Zentrum Tanz (HZT) Berlin, LAFT Berlin – Landesverband freie darstellende Künste Berlin e.V. / Performing Arts Program and FAIRSTAGE, HAU Hebbel am Ufer / Tanz im August, and Radialsystem. In collaboration with Kampnagel, tanzhaus nrw, Theater RAMPE, Festival Theaterformen / Real Dance Festival, and Hochschule für Künste im Sozialen, Ottersberg. Funded by TANZPAKT Stadt-Land-Bund with with the support of the German Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media, and the Berlin Senate Department for Culture and Social Cohesion and the Center for Cultural Participation Baden-Würtemberg. The collaboration with Kampnagel Hamburg is funded by the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg, Ministry of Culture and Media.