Founded in 1946 the Kunsthalle Berlin-Weissensee has a rich history. It began as a private initiative. Artists felt a strong connection to the Bauhaus ideals. They established the Kunstschule des Nordens the art school of the North. The first director was the talented metal sculptor Otto Sticht.
The Kunsthalle found its home in a repurposed building. It was the administration building of the former Trump chocolate factory. This building was constructed in 1935. It was seized after World War II. The Soviet Military Administration in Germany SMAD granted the school the status of a state college in 1947. This made it a college of applied arts. Architecture and fine arts were taught there. This reflected Bauhaus principles.
The Bauhaus influence continued with its early rectors. Jan Bontjes van Beek a ceramist served from 1947 to 1950. Mart Stam an architect and designer held the position from 1950 to 1952. The expansion of the Kunsthalle in 1955 and 1956 was designed by the Bauhaus architect Selman Selmanagic. Peter Flierl Gunther Kohler and Erwin Krause also contributed. The entrance was adorned with a wall frieze by Toni Mau and reliefs by Jurgen von Woyski. Early professors included influential artists. Theo Balden Heinrich Drake Bernhard Heiliger Rudi Hogner Arno Mohr and Rudolf Vogenauer were among them.
Later notable figures shaped the Kunsthalle Berlin-Weissensee. Waldemar Grzimek Erich John Werner Klemke Klaus Wittkugel and Walter Womacka were significant contributors. Womacka even served as rector from 1968 to 1988. Student protests rocked the Kunsthalle in 1988 and 1989. They opposed the undemocratic conditions in East Germany. Many posters at a major 1989 demonstration were created by students.
The Kunsthalle Berlin-Weissensee underwent significant changes after German reunification. The student population doubled. The Mart-Stam-Gesellschaft a support society works to promote the Bauhaus legacy. They organize colloquia support projects and connect the school with businesses and the public sector. They also award annual prizes for outstanding student work. The Kunsthalle Berlin-Weissensee continues to thrive as a center for artistic education. It stands as a testament to its rich past and vibrant future. It is a place where art history and innovation meet.