Gather, snap photos, and socialize: Nordstadtblogger invites you to attend events
The Cultural Venue Depot Dortmund, a former tram workshop transformed into a vibrant cultural hub, has recently been awarded the Karl-Zuhorn Prize for young talent promotion. This prestigious award is given to projects or institutions that significantly aid in nurturing emerging talent, particularly in cultural or creative fields.
A New Lease of Life for Industrial Heritage
Originally built as a tram maintenance facility, the Cultural Venue Depot Dortmund is a prime example of how industrial heritage can be repurposed and revitalized. As urban mobility evolved, many such workshops became obsolete. However, the Depot has been ingeniously converted into a site for cultural events, exhibitions, and artist support.
By preserving aspects of Dortmund's transit history while fostering contemporary artistic projects, the Depot embodies a broader trend in German cities—transforming former industrial sites into dynamic cultural venues.
The Karl-Zuhorn Prize and Its Significance
The Karl-Zuhorn Prize is awarded by the Council for Westphalian Regional Studies and decided by the LWL Cultural Committee. The prize aims to anchor the award in the region by hosting events such as lectures by prize winners. This year, Julius Virnyi from Münster and the Nordstadtblogger from Dortmund have been honoured with the prize.
The prize is divided into two categories, each with a 10,000 euro endowment. In the category of young talent promotion, young scientists are supported. In the category of voluntary research, both previous work and a single project can be awarded.
Exploring the Depot with LWL Prize Winner Alex Völkel
Alex Völkel, an LWL prize winner, will provide a tour of the Depot and present a less-known part of the industrial monument—the bunker. The tour offers insights into the history, sustainable renovation, and concept of the Cultural Venue Depot Dortmund.
The Nordstadtblogger Follow-up Program
The success of the Karl-Zuhorn Prize is further demonstrated by the Nordstadtblogger follow-up program. The program includes two photo walks, two panel discussions, and a private museum visit at the Hoesch Museum. The kick-off event for this program takes place on August 30, 2025, at 3 pm at the Cultural Venue Depot Dortmund.
The photo walks will be led by Klaus Hartmann and Leopold Achilles through the Nordstadt and the Dortmund harbor. A panel discussion and a private museum visit at the Hoesch Museum, followed by a "coffee klatsch," are also part of the follow-up program.
Registration for the event is required by August 10, 2025, by email to [email protected]. The event is part of the "Harbor Walk." The Depot is open from 3 to 8 pm, allowing visitors to browse studios, exchange ideas, get creative, or enjoy atmosphere with drinks and snacks.
The follow-up program extends into November 2025, offering a unique opportunity to delve deeper into the Cultural Venue Depot Dortmund and its role in promoting young talent and preserving Dortmund's industrial heritage.
- The Cultural Venue Depot Dortmund, now a bustling cultural hub, has been converted from a home-and-garden of trams to a site for science, art, and lifestyle exhibitions and events, showcasing the transformation of industrial heritage.
- The Karl-Zuhorn Prize, an acclaimed award esteemed for promoting young talent, involves the participation of science enthusiasts as well, providing financial support to young scientists in addition to those in the cultural or creative fields.
