Bose Sarmiento ‘21: Exploring queerness through art at Kunst Queer Kiez

At Kunst Queer Kiez, an initiative formed by Bard College Berlin alum Bose Sarmiento ‘21 (they/them), participants explore what it means to be queer and what it takes to artistically engage with the topic. Kunst Queer Kiez (KQK) is a “youth centered pedagogic project that uses artistic methods like dance, theater, and creative writing to investigate topics of identity, discrimination, queerness, and empowerment.” Bose, along with their collaborators Fanny (no pronouns), and Flo (she/no pronouns), founded the initiative with the aim of creating projects that integrate their personal and educational values with those of the youth community in the city.

“We want to make art out of everyday experiences and focus on Berlin, a place where queer life takes place,” says Bose about the project. “We want to engage with the question of what it means to be visible as a queer person and what it means to be safe.”

Participants take part in meetings every two weeks at JuKuz Youth Center. After being greeted by vegan snacks, attendees start off the meeting with some body-based exercises and theater games. They then break off into smaller groups to explore storytelling exercises and creative writing prompts. KQK meetings use creative approaches to tackle questions such as: “What does it mean to be queer? How can we make art out of our experiences and engage with topics that are hard to talk about? And what kind of queer spaces exist in Berlin?” At the safe and accessible space facilitated by KQK, these questions are approached through an intersectional perspective, something Bose took from their time at BCB.

Bose graduated with a degree in Arts and Aesthetics, and enjoyed the academic freedom to tailor their studies in ways that suited their interests. “I was able to take music courses and performance classes alongside courses focused on politics and migration in a way that complemented each other,” Bose says. They were often encouraged to use artistic approaches, something that has deeply influenced Bose’s way of analyzing and working.

Bose encourages current students and recent graduates to take advantage of the funding opportunities available in Germany for funding similar projects. Kunst Queer Kiez in particular is possible due to a collaboration with JuKuz, the center that hosts the meetings, as well as from public funding from the German state. Receiving approval for such projects can be hard work, but as Bose explains, the funding is a chance to “create spaces that align with your own values.” Through this funding, KQK can shape their vision of “accessibility, care, and engagement.”

Students from BCB are invited to participate in KQK meetings, which take place at JuKuz every two weeks. “Participants don’t need any theater experience, nor do they have to identify with the Queer label. The only requirement is to be aged between 15 and 25, and to have an interest in the topics that we address,” shares Bose.

The next meetings are planned for December 5, 2023 and February 19, 2024, from 17:00 to 19:00 at JuKuz. For more information, you can follow them on Instagram at @kunst.queer.kiez or contact them via email at [email protected].

Post Date: 11-29-2023