TGR in 2024
Iryna Serebriakova, GreenHaven Artist-in-Residence
TGR The Green Room – Annual Report 2024
Focus: Artistic practice, mental health, and systemic change in the arts and culture sector
1. Overview
2024 was a year of artistic diversity, international collaboration, and conceptual deepening.
TGR The Green Room continued to expand its work across the fields of artistic production, residency programs, artists’ mental health, and systemic professional development.
Alongside new theatre and music productions, TGR launched training formats, international partnerships, and cultural policy initiatives.
Support came from the RheinEnergie Foundation for Culture, the NRW State Office for Independent Performing Arts, and the Martin Roth Initiative, while partnerships with Artists-at-Risk, ENCC – European Network of Cultural Centres, On the Move, and Culture Action Europe continued throughout the year.
2. Artistic Productions
Smartphones go to Heaven
A theatre work by Iryna Serebriakova, with Olha Miroshnykova and Maksim Andreenkov
Performances: 3 & 17 February 2024
A multilayered project about migration and identity, composed of poetic short stories about the baggage—both physical and emotional—we carry into exile.
Funded by the NRW State Office for Independent Performing Arts and the Ministry of Culture and Science NRW.
Open House – Solidarity Gathering
25 February 2024
In collaboration with the German Composers’ Association, TGR hosted an open day of exchange with spontaneous performances, shared meals, and dialogue between Ukrainian and international artists in Cologne.
Beyond Borders – Performance Lab Initiative
Supported by the RheinEnergie Foundation for Culture, this new initiative began the development of an international performance lab aimed at building long-term structures for diverse artists to create and realize performance works.
Vdoma – Solo Concert by Tamara Lukasheva
7 June 2024
An intimate concert by the Ukrainian singer-composer, exploring home, identity, and belonging through music.
Supported by RheinEnergie Foundation for Culture and the City of Cologne.
Encounters – World Premiere of “Dialogues With Ancestors” (Dominic McGonigal)
4 October 2024
An intercultural concert with Rafael Montero (tenor, Argentina) and Anastasiia Haisiuk (piano, Ukraine), creating a dialogue between pre-colonial South American culture and contemporary Europe.
Voces amissae | Lost Voices – Collaboration with Ensemble Musikfabrik
16 December 2024, Studio Musikfabrik, Cologne
An evening of music and conversation on illness, loss, and artistic renewal, featuring works by Allain Gaussin and Ian Wilson, followed by a panel discussion with Carol McGonnell, Lotte Betts-Dean, Ian Wilson, and Heather O’Donnell.
Supported by Zeitgeist Irland 24 (Culture Ireland / Embassy of Ireland, Germany).
3. Education & Professional Development
Connect – Workshop Series for Artistic Resilience
In cooperation with KGNM Cologne
Four modules on:
Creative Career Management (8 June)
Self-Leadership (9 June)
Setting Boundaries (17 August)
Communication (18 August)
Trainers included Heather O’Donnell, Elisabeth von Leliwa, Fanja Raum, Emily Hindrichs, and Michael Lourenco.
The program strengthened self-care, structural clarity, and professional sustainability within the independent performing arts scene.
Mindfulness & Compassion
Mindfulness in Connection – city retreat with Ulla König (February & November 2024)
Both programs further established TGR as a space for prevention, psychological health, and creative self-reflection.
4. Conferences, Networks & Research
International Engagements
PAMA International Symposium, University College London (July 2024)
Presentation: Theory Colliding with Practice – Resilience Building at a Centre for Performers’ Biopsychosocial HealthCulture for Health Conference, Bielsko-Biała, Poland (November 2024)
Panel: How do we care about the helpers and carers?
Workshops on resilience and flow for artistsENCC Board Meeting, Brussels; Closing the Gap Session, Timișoara
On the Move Report 2024 – Heather O’Donnell contributed to the chapter on mental health and international mobility
The Listening Room – Pilot Forum for Mental-Health Professionals
Online, 26 November 2024
Moderator: Heather O’Donnell
Guest: Tamsin Embleton (UK)
An international peer-support format for therapists, psychologists, and coaches working with performing artists.
Organized in cooperation with the Performing Arts Medicine Association (PAMA).
5. Cultural Policy Engagement
Active participation in the demonstration “Standing Up for the Independent Arts Scene” (Cologne, June 2024)
Participation in the Cologne Cultural Network dialogue on the situation of the independent arts scene (Autumn 2024)
Moderation of working groups on Mental Health and Sustainable Practices
Panel discussion “Mutter.Schutz” as part of Cité des Dames (moderated by Heather O’Donnell)
6. Concerts & Collaborations
Expressionism in Music & Film – lecture-performance with Slava Tyrnavski & Julia Mikhailova (19 May)
Piano recitals and benefit concerts by Slava Tyrnavski, Vadim Valyaev, Alexandra Hanke (September)
Workshop and concert with Laura Marti (28 September)
7. International Networks
ENCC – European Network of Cultural Centres
Heather O’Donnell elected to the board (2024–2028)Culture Action Europe – dialogue on culture and health
Artists-at-Risk – collaboration on residencies and protection programs
On the Move – research and advocacy on artist wellbeing and mobility
8. Fundraising & Solidarity
Crowdfunding for Richie Beirach
In spring 2024, TGR helped organize an international fundraising campaign for the gravely ill jazz pianist Richie Beirach.
Result: €35,098 raised (goal: €20,000) – a powerful act of solidarity from the international jazz community.
19. Summary
2024 was marked by the integration of art, care, and advocacy.
TGR The Green Room has become a space where artistic practice, mental health, and social engagement intertwine.
Through initiatives like The Listening Room, Connect, and the GreenHaven Residencies, TGR is building a sustainable infrastructure for artist wellbeing – locally rooted, internationally connected, and systemically informed.
10. Funders & Partners 2024
RheinEnergie Foundation for Culture
NRW State Office for Independent Performing Arts
Ministry of Culture and Science NRW
Martin Roth Initiative
Artists-at-Risk (Finland)
ENCC – European Network of Cultural Centres
Culture Action Europe
On the Move
Performing Arts Medicine Association (PAMA)
German Composers’ Association / KGNM Cologne
City of Cologne
Zeitgeist Irland 24 / Culture Ireland
Numerous volunteers, trainers, and partner institutions in Cologne and across Europe