Projects through the years

Kulturgyngen has initiated various projects aimed to improve conditions for vulnerable groups in Denmark, and endeavored to influence developments in society in a more sustainable and live-friendly direction.
  
Read about the project, "Hop i Job" in this document, and about the evaluation of the project in this document. Both texts are in Danish.

Vertical gardens in the center of the city. Mejlgade 53 as an organic gathering-point for education and culture. Read more about the project in this document.

On the basis of an internal pilot study, Kulturgyngen launched a project for social security recipients of other ethnic descent than Danish.

The goal was to help refugees and immigrants into regular employment, through counselling, guidance, education and practical work experience.

Press release about the start-up meeting
Minutes from start sitting 22 February 2005
Project

A pilot study of social security recipients of other ethnic descent than Danish who have previously been employed at Kulturgyngen. Through interviews with project staff and different enterprises, the study reviews how activation programmes and job training can provide a stronger focus on individual competence improvement.

With financial support from "Den Grønne Pulje", a project was launched to create an ecologically sound kitchen and workspace. In 2002, by the end of the project, ecological thinking and cooking had become an integrated part of Kulturgyngen's daily operation, and has remained so. Unfortunately in 2010 we had to change it to be only 30-60 % ecological.

Old buildings need regular maintenance and renovation. For this purpose we had a group dedicated to making sure the physical surroundings matched the overall goals.

One of the dedicated renovations was the toilet-facility at Gyngen, which was not up to more modern standards. A full rebuilding resulted in facilities both modern, clean and handicap friendly.

A central meeting point for backpackers, various groups and price-conscious travelers. Located in Havnegade 20 where Sømandshjemmet previously accommodated. The hostel began in 1994 as a project of the Association Kulturgyngen. It was until 2008 operated as a combined hostel activity and activation project for socially vulnerable people. Today it is run by 2 former employees at Kulturgyngen.

CitySleep-In 

In 1992, Kulturgyngen took part in developing ENVOL PLUS, an international networking project between about 30 European social-cultural projects in eight different EU nations.

The purpose of the project was to improve options for resource-weak youths, wanting to experience and work in other European cultures, and through that motivate towards steady employment. The young people involved had their travel expenses covered, and worked for food, lodging and some spending money.

Through the project, the young people involved developed a broader understanding of the world outside Denmark, and had a unique opportunity to network, and even form friendships, across national borders.

Three miniature versions of Kulturgyngen. A project directed at young people aged 18-23 on maintenance grants and established in collaboration with students from Den Sociale Højskole (≈ The Social College). Some of the participants later founded the music association "Club 100%".

A project aimed at young offenders between the ages of 18 and 24, with supervision from Kriminalforsogen.

The project offered an alternative to more traditional sentencing, for example working in Gyngen's kitchen, and aimed towards creating a more regular daily experience.

A drop-in activity centre for young people in early retirement. In 1992 the activities were taken over by the Århus City Council as an integral part of the offers from local authorities to early retired pensioners.

www.aarhuskommune.dk/borger/kultur-idraet-og-fritid/Aktivitetstilbud/Udsatte.aspx#Skiftesporet 

1988:
The Nicaragua Exhibition Group An exhibition event developed in co-operation with the Nicaragua Committee.

1987 - 1989
A socio-cultural music and theatre group. They later moved to other premises in Århus and founded Gøglerskolen (≈ The Juggling School).

www.goglerskolen.dk

Musikcaféen is housed in the back part of Mejlgade 53, where it has been in use as a music-venue since the beginning of the seventies. Musikcaféen was from 1987 til 1999 a part of Kulturgyngen's activities, but in 2000 a seperate organization was formed, and Musikcaféen became one of about 20 regional music-venues supported by the Danish government.
Musikcaféen has, from some time in the mid-eighties, turned from an amateur scene and underground club towards more diverse and professional events. As a venue Musikcaféen has often been host to new musical directions and artists, many of whom now tour the largest scenes in the country.

Musikcaféen still has this role today.