What inspired you to join the ArtBound Initiative team?
The whole concept of helping young people to go abroad, to gain work experiences in the creative industry, and the wonderful energy of Laura Bennegadi, CEO. As a photographer, art lover, and traveler, I know how inspiring it is to leave everyday life and experience new countries, which helps you to change perspective and to open up your horizons. As a former art student I am also aware of the importance of getting a view into how the working and art world functions in praxes.
Jana with ABI members Oliver and Carrie in Berlin
Describe a typical day as the Program Coordinator.
In my role as the ArtBound Program Coordinator, I meet with the students right after their arrival and provide them with information, which helps them to orientate themselves in Berlin. I get to know the students a bit and, in exchange, they get to know the person they can contact for any questions, issues, and in emergencies. I confirm and attend ArtBound events—like studio visits and gallery tours together—and I check in with each of the students on a regular basis.
How do you support students in your role?
Being there for them, listening to their concerns, understanding their position, solving any problems that arise, and motivating them to continue on when things get challenging. The students know that they are not alone abroad and I am their advisor and someone who is familiar with the culture, the language, and the local customs.
Jana and ABI member Carrie in an artist loft party in Berlin
What qualities are important in ArtBound programs?
ABI creates a professional and international network which helps students to travel and work, find mentors, and develop themselves and their careers in the creative industry.
What challenges do people often face in relocating—whether long or short term—and how do you recommend overcoming them?
There is more than just deciding where to go, booking a flight, arriving, and starting to work. There are a lot of barriers and bureaucracy to deal with before it even begins. You need a place to stay, a visa, a working permit, and, especially in Germany, a lot of papers—for example, contracts with banks and phone companies.
Because of the language barriers and challenges of settling in a new place internationally, I recommend using a service like ABI and Bee in Berlin, who are making these barriers easier to manage so that you can focus on your work and to get familiar with a new environment smoothly.
My adventures in Spain
Why is it important to travel and experience new cultures?
To be open and become more sensitive to what you see and hear—especially as a creative person. To look for the differences instead of the familiar, and not fearing them. I recommend interacting as much as possible with the locals to try to see how they see, to eat how they eat, and to go to the places where locals like to go. Walk around and get lost for a bit. Learn another language.
What does meaningful travel mean to you?
I think it’s to discover another side of you. To get out of your comfort zone and forget what you think you already know and to challenge yourself by facing different ways of thinking, working, and living. To learn, to understand, to take it with you and to give back what you can to say thank you for this experience. To enjoy having the privilege to travel and being on this planet.
Jana with ABI members Carrie & Georgia in Berlin
How does the founding of KN—a project space and art collective including artists of all types in Kreuzberg—continue to impact the work you do today?
As the founder of KN-Space for Art in Context—where I build up an international art collective including artists, curators, writers, and critics—I already knew how important it was to have a community and international contacts.
After finishing my art degree in Leipzig and living in different countries, like the United States, France, and Iceland, I wanted to keep the contacts I made and create a space where we can continue to exchange art, knowledge, and create together.
I wanted to bring something to the city that made me feel more at home here and that helped other people to feel at home, too. At KN I had my first meeting with ArtBound, and without that space and all I learned there in four years of work, I probably wouldn’t do what I am doing today.
What hopes do you have for the future of ArtBound?
That ArtBound grows in contacts, locations, and number of students. It would be nice to see collaborations with Art Schools and Universities—who could support the program by offering ArtBound opportunities to their students, in addition to their own programs, in order for students to gain international and practical experiences in the art world. With ArtBound’s great concept, organization, and cool design, it would be great to see the program succeed.
