HELLERAU – European Center for the Arts was founded in 1911 as a festival theater and educational institution for music and rhythm, based on the ideas of Heinrich Tessenow and Émile Jaques-Dalcroze.
As the artistic center of Germany’s first garden city, the building attracted numerous European artists until 1914. Used as a police academy and SS barracks in the 1930s, it later served as a military hospital and barracks for the Soviet Army. In the 1990s, the site began to be revitalized through the arts.
Today, HELLERAU ranks among the most important international centers for contemporary arts. The interdisciplinary co-production and guest performance venue presents approximately 350 events annually in the genres of dance, performance, music, and media art. Through various thematic focuses and festivals, HELLERAU addresses current social issues. Carena Schlewitt has been the artistic director since 2018/19.
In 2026, HELLERAU was awarded the Federal Theater Prize.
As the artistic center of Germany’s first garden city, the building attracted numerous European artists until 1914. Used as a police academy and SS barracks in the 1930s, it later served as a military hospital and barracks for the Soviet Army. In the 1990s, the site began to be revitalized through the arts.
Today, HELLERAU ranks among the most important international centers for contemporary arts. The interdisciplinary co-production and guest performance venue presents approximately 350 events annually in the genres of dance, performance, music, and media art. Through various thematic focuses and festivals, HELLERAU addresses current social issues. Carena Schlewitt has been the artistic director since 2018/19.
In 2026, HELLERAU was awarded the Federal Theater Prize.
