Working groups

In addition to the representative departments in ten cities across Germany (Städtepole), we are organized in different national working groups, which are in regular exchange with each other. We are open and grateful to any new contributors!

Working group "Cultural-political networking"

The working group "Cultural-political networking" acts as a partner for cultural and educational policy committees at state and federal level and promotes networking with associations and institutions of the performing arts at national and international level. The working group is in intensive exchange with international partners and part of various project groups. It develops concepts and position papers on the situation of contemporary circus aiming to promote public and structural support for contemporary circus in Germany. Additionally, it acts as point of contact and guidance for the city poles.

Members: Anke Politz, Jenny Patschovsky, Alexandra Henn, Bernd Belschner, Malte Peter
Contact person: Anke Politz > anke.politz(at)bu-zz.de

Working group "International"

Since 2018, the team of international network coordinators has been working on the establishment of an international network and is cooperating with partners from the performing arts and contemporary circus scene. Among others, we represent the BUZZ at Circostrada, and work closely with the working group Cultural-political networking. Currently we are looking for support! You want to join us? Get in touch:

Members: Marina Rieger, Andree Wenzel
Contact person: Marina Rieger > marina.rieger(at)bu-zz.de

Working group "Feminist Perspectives"

Members: Yolande Sommer, Marek Peters
Contact person: Yolande Sommer > yolande.sommer@bu-zz.de

Working group "Media"

Since 2019, the working group "Media" has been working on coordinating and developing the association’s presence on social media, the website, as well as the newsletter distribution to all members and people interested. We coordinate the BUZZ online campaigns and cooperate with other associations in joint actions to make contemporary circus and important issues in the independent performing arts in Germany visible.

Members: Marina Rieger, Cox Ahlers, Lisa Lehnen
Contact person: Lisa Lehnen > lisa.lehnen(at)bu-zz.de

Working Group "Accounting & Administration"

The working group takes care of all administrative tasks of the association, including member administration and accounting.

Members: Lisa Lehnen, Markus Bitter (Treasurer)
Contact person: Lisa Lehnen > lisa.lehnen(at)bu-zz.de

Working group "IT & Technology"

This working group is responsible for the IT infrastructure and helps active BUZZ members with IT and technical issues, on-boarding and the implementation of public events.

Members: Markus Bitter, Christoph Rummel, Timon Schilling, Mitja Averhoff
Contact person: Markus Bitter > markus.bitter(at)bu-zz.de

AG Charta (project terminated)

The charter of the federal association was developed in this now inactive working group. It reflects the values on which our work is based. Topics such as sustainable and resource-conserving action have just as much a place there as gender mainstreaming, conflict resolution strategies, etc. The charter can be viewed HERE .

Members: Marina Rieger, Christoph Rummel, Klaus Borkens
Contact person: Marina Rieger > marina.rieger(at)bu-zz.de

Cluster

The clusters complement our working groups. They are small teams with members who want to engage in a specific topic and for a limited period of time only. Anyone interested can start a cluster, search for people, who would like to join and get a two-year mandate from the BUZZ for their defined topic.

The pilot phase of the first round of clusters was from 2019-2021 with these topics:

Cluster „Sicherheit und Prävention in der Zirkuspraxis“

Among other things, the cluster summarized the state of the art in circus practice and analyzed the need for standardization of circus equipment. From this, 2022 the Guide "Safety basics in circus" developed.

Mandate holder: Andreas Bartl
Contact: andreas.bartl@bu-zz.de

Cluster „Bildung & Wissenschaft“

The cluster aimed to professionalize artists, to provide advice at the federal and state level, and to legitimize them at the political level. The activities included, among other things, a collection of German-language publications, reviewed publications for the BUZZ homepage and organized nationwide "Trainer Networking Meetings" for education and training venues.

Mandate holder: Malte Peter
Contact: malte.peter89@gmail.com