Kibbuz e.V. is a laboratory for ideas, a space for artistic exchange, and a catalyst for social awareness.
Our mission is to build bridges — between art and education, between individuals and communities, and between vision and reality.
OUR MISSION
We believe in the power of culture and education. Our mission is to connect people, foster creative potential, and enable projects that create a positive impact on society.
OUR VISION
KIBBUZ is an international network for arts, culture, and education. We support artists, educators, cultural initiatives, and social organizations in transforming bold ideas into sustainable projects.
WHAT IS KIBBUZ?
Our name comes from Hebrew. קיבוץ (Kibbuz) means "gathering" or "coming together", derived from the root ק־ב־ץ, meaning “to collect” or “to bring together.” In Israel, the term refers to communities built on shared work, collective responsibility, and the belief that greater things can be achieved when people combine their strengths. This is exactly what inspires us — however not in the fields, but in the realm of the arts. Kibbuz e.V. brings together people who would rarely sit at the same table: musicians and dancers, educators and filmmakers, young people and experienced artists, individuals from Essen and from around the world. Each project creates a new, temporary community united by a common purpose. We are not a house with solid walls, but a network with solid values. We work at the intersection of arts, culture, and education because artistic experiences bring people together, and education provides the foundation that allows these connections to endure. Our projects take place in Essen, throughout North Rhine-Westphalia, and across international borders.
OUR TEAM
Alex Bondarenko
Chairman of the Board
Master of Arts (M.A.) in Business Administration
Provides strategic and organizational leadership for the association, initiates international partnerships, oversees administration, and promotes the connection between arts, education, and social impact.
Anna Bondarenko
Commissioner for Education
Lecturer in Health Professions
Coordinates educational programs, develops new learning formats, and supports the association’s educational initiatives in the fields of cultural and democratic education.
Anton Tsirin
Commissioner for Arts and Culture
Actor and influencer
Responsible for artistic programming, exhibition projects, and interdisciplinary formats at the intersection of performance, visual arts, and public discourse.
Emiliia Kivelevich
Project Coordinator, “Kibbuz Collective”
Qualified Theatre Director & Cultural Scientist (M.A.)
Conceptualizes and curates theatre productions and performative formats for Kibbuz; organizes participatory projects, seminars, and exchange programs for young people and cultural practitioners.
Ivan Snegur
Project Coordinator, “Atelier Dreilinden”
Music and trauma therapist
Leads the Atelier at the Essen location, supports artist residencies, and develops new collaborations with local partners.
Anna Galeeva
Project Management
Cultural Studies Scholar (M.A.) & Gallerist
Responsible for planning, administration, and grant management; supports the development of long-term partnerships and sustainable funding structures.
Laura Arendes-Köhler
Fundraising & Grant Management
Projekt manager
Responsible for fundraising and securing grants; supports the development of long-term, sustainable funding structures.
Svetlana Dolya
Producer for Special Projects
Theater producer
Develops unique formats, special events, and international collaborations where arts, education, and social dialogue intersect.
Sarah Boikova
Graphics & Design
Creates cross-project designs and graphics.
