Munich has a new interim use project: starting in early May, booth 22 at Schwabing's Elisabethmarkt will become the Oh Tinyville workspace. The project was selected from ten submitted concepts and will now occupy the booth until the end of 2019. The interim use for the creative economy is being made possible in cooperation with the Municipal Department, the Munich Market Halls, and the Cultural and Creative Industries Competence Team of the City of Munich.
Small but perfectly formed: a market stall is being temporarily transformed into a workspace for self-employed mothers in the cultural and creative industries. With this concept, Justyna Dembowski and Katharina Legge were able to convince the people in charge, and they were awarded the contract for the temporary use of stall 22 in the heart of Schwabing.
Oh Tinyville But it aims to be more than "just" a workplace for self-employed mothers in the cultural and creative industries. The new interim use will also include indoor and outdoor creative afternoons for children, as well as readings, concerts, and workshops in the evenings. In addition, curated pop-up shopping events will be organized regularly in the afternoons and on weekends. Through these activities, the project also aims to promote networking among all participating mothers. The goal is to create synergies. Women should feel that they are not alone in their self-employment and motherhood.
Creativity thrives on exchange
Justyna Dembowski, one of the initiators, explains how the idea came about:
"I'm a freelance stylist and creative consultant in the cultural and creative industries. Since becoming a mother three years ago, I've been working part-time, mostly from home. I simply missed being with others. Creativity thrives on exchange and mutual inspiration. However, I can't afford a permanent full-time office space in Munich, and I wouldn't fully utilize it."
Katharina Legge, also a creator of the project, continues:
"We know from our own experience how important those little pockets of time outside of parenthood are! With these diverse neighborhood offerings, we also want to give something back to the "big village."
Win-win situation for everyone
Also municipal officer Kristina Frank is pleased about the realization of this new interim use project:
"Since late summer 2018, I've been actively promoting the idea of using vacant market stalls at all permanent food markets for temporary use. That's why I'm happy to announce the Oh Tinyville creative economy project at Elisabethmarkt today. The merchant community is excited about this temporary revitalization. The new interim tenants can experiment in this small, centrally located space. Schwabinger Markt is a popular neighborhood meeting place where freelance moms from the creative industries will feel at home. A great win-win situation for everyone."
And also Jürgen Enninger, Head of the Competence teams for cultural and creative industries, welcomes the new project:
"The cultural and creative industries are a sector strongly dominated by women. With the temporary use of Oh Tinyville, we can not only develop new solutions to the spatial challenges faced by creative professionals in Munich, but also create a special offer – in a neighborhood setting – for freelance women who have to balance work and family. New forms of work combine with economic networking. A successful cultural and creative industry is the starting point for Munich as a successful business location."
