NEWSLETTER

Dear friends of Ephra,

Art spaces are central places for democracy, democratic learning and social dialogue. I see making them inclusive – in many ways – as one of the most important challenges of our time. At its core, art is relationship work. A work of art does not unfold its true power in isolation, but in lively dialogue with its viewers. Art encourages us to talk to each other about feelings, thoughts and individual perceptions.

Ephra brings children in contact with art. We are committed to creating an environment in which children feel heard – in which they experience that their voice counts and their ideas can change the world. But reality shows that one in five children in Germany is hungry, the mental health crisis increases, and many feel invisible. That is why we at Ephra are working hard to enable children to form genuine connections with the world. I am delighted that Harald Welzer has dedicated a small but wonderful chapter in his new book ‘Das Haus der Gefühle’ (The House of Emotions) to Ephra.

‚You shouldn’t underestimate what art can do, for art is full of secrets.’

Ephra-child

Each of our projects is an explizit answer to the question: How can we give children spaces in which they can experience themselves as a creative part of society? Because children's voices, thoughts and feelings matter, and we can only shape a future we can look forward to together.

This is a daily task for us that also includes remembering the past.

ephra.art

In April 2025, we launched ephra.art, a platform for teachers and multipliers that aims to enable children to encounter contemporary art. The website was created as an online publication for the exhibition ‘Gedanken spielen Verstecken’ (Thoughts Play Hide and Seek) and is continuously being expanded. It is particularly aimed at educators seeking inspiration and ideas for ways to approach art.

With open eyes

The day before the Gallery Weekend 2025, a public discussion with Marion Ackermann (Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation), Harald Welzer (social psychologist), Benita von Maltzahn (Volkswagen Group) and myself took place at Ephra Haus. The discussion served as the kick-off event for the Ephra Lab and was moderated by Silke Hohmann. The documentation by our cooperation partner ArtBeats shows how open discussions between art, science and the public can open up new perspectives. You can view the documentation here. The evening was made possible by Volkswagen Group Art4All.

Ephra Lab

From the 1st til 4th of May 2025, we opened our doors for workshops on painting, comic drawing and photography – for children and their chaperones. The eight workshops by artists Hinako Miyabayashi, Philipp Deines, Cihan Çakmak, Wilhelm Klotzek, Viktoria Binschtok, mukengeschellhammer, Heike Kabisch, Zora Mann and Isabell Heimerdinger were open to everyone, without registration, and were funded by Volkswagen Group Art4All.

The Basic Law and us

Since June 2025, we offer workshops at the German Bundestag as part of the exhibition ‚Us. 19 Fundamental Rights. 19 Artistic Positions. One dialogue space’, in which school classes (from Year 4 onwards) discover the values of the Basic Law through works of art and discussions. The workshops take place from Tuesday to Thursday from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and are part of an educational program funded by the Bundestag. Children explore questions such as: What does dignity mean to me? How does freedom feel? This makes abstract concepts more specific – and democracy tangible. Bookings via schule@ephra.de

Following traces of memory

In June and July 2025, 10 workshops for Berlin based primary school classes (grades 4–6) took place at the Ephra Haus. The children explored the biographies of five Jewish children who were saved by the ‚ Aktion Kindertransport‘. The project ties in with the educational program developed by Ephra in cooperation with the Anne Frank Centre and combines historical biographical work with artistic practice to promote empathy and moral courage. Supported by the Gerold Leibinger Foundation and the Prussian Maritime Trade Foundation.

Ephra on the Road / 在路上

In cooperation with a primary school class from the Clara Grunwald Schule, we visited four studios of Chinese and Taiwanese artists. Ephra on the Road is a project we launched in 2018 – this time marks the first edition with a curated focus on the Chinese-speaking world. The children learned how art and origin interact and experienced cultural diversity. Supported by the China Education Network.

Roots in the Wind

Until the end of March, we are offering 20 workshops on the topics of exile, migration and identity on behalf of the Berlin Exile Museum Foundation. In the five-hour workshops for school classes from Year 4 onwards (including lunch), the participants work in three groups to create a biography. In the wonderful villa at Fasanenstraße 24, we have developed a kind of scavenger hunt in which the concierge of a 1930s-style hotel reception plays a key role. The children work with sound, images and drama to present what they have created. (Typing on old typewriters is a particular hit!) There are still places available. If you are interested, please send an email to schule@ephra.de. The project is funded by the Volkswagen Employee Foundation and takes place in the workshop of the Exil Museum.

A feeling knocks on the door

For 2025/2026, we are planning a pilot project in which 30 children will practise new ways of accessing their own emotions. The aim is also to develop playing cards that can be used in schools or at home to recognise and name feelings and learn how to deal with them in a team. The children will work with us, design the cards and develop their own rules for playing. The project is funded exclusively by the Fritz Behrens Foundation.

‚A lot of it won't pay off – but it's incredibly worthwhile.’

Maja Goepel

Thank you for supporting us!

We appreciate every donation.

Yours, Rebecca (Raue) with Sassa Trülzsch and the entire Ephra team

PS: Under this link, you will find an interview I gave in May at THE ART EDUCATORS TALK. And under this link, you can listen to my daughter, Mira Raue, who is exploring the question of where we find community as part of a project by the Media Academy of the Young Islam Conference.