Symposium organised by RESEO in collaboration with Münchener Biennale, Bayerische Staatsoper and Klangakt
“Implementing an architecture of openness within one’s own institution means not only opening the institution’s doors and saying, ‘This is now for everyone.’ An architecture of openness requires structural change processes on various levels. This involves (…) 1. opening up and revising the actual, building-related structures, 2. opening up social architectures such as hierarchies, decision-making processes, power relations, and hiring and training situations, and 3. a new architecture of art production.”
Architekturen de Öffnung – Strategien zur strukturellen und kommunikativen Machtteilung, Laura Nerbl, 2026
The symposium Opening Urban Spaces, co-curated by RESEO as part of the Münchener Biennale, explores contemporary approaches to programming for urban audiences and new ways of opening up cultural and architectural spaces.
The day combines discussions with practical sessions, performances and a hands-on workshop.
Programme
May 14th, 2026 (pre-programme)
18:45 – 21:00
<30 Open Lab
Location: Bayerisches Staatsballett
Together with the Bayerische Staatsoper, the Bayerische Staatsballett is opening its doors to anyone who wants to improvise together in the fields of theater, dance, voice, and music. Free workshop for up to 10 participants. Registration: community@staatsoper.de.
More info here.
May 15th, 2026
10:00–11:00
Der Miesepups
Location: Münchner Volkstheater
Young audience performance presented as part of the symposium programme. The performance is followed by a post-performance conversation reflecting on approaches to engaging young audiences through music theatre and on how performance spaces can become entry points for broader participation in cultural institutions.
More info here.
Parallel sessions
13:30–15:00
Archives – Biennale Tent-Talk
Location: Biennale Festival Tent – Muffatwerk-Areal
Together with Monthati Masebe, composer and artist of the production Isithunzi, and Sophie Emilie Beha, curator and journalist, this session explores how music theatre engages with the question of archiving. The discussion addresses how music is archived, how cultural and musical archives shape artistic practice, and how music theatre concepts and productions can be documented, preserved and made accessible for the future.
or
13:30–14:30
“Spaces become places” workshop
Location: Bayerische Staatsoper
Practical session focusing on approaches to participation and audience engagement in music theatre. More details coming soon.
15:00–16:30
Discussion: Opening Urban Spaces
Location: Bayerische Staatsoper
This discussion reflects on the structural changes required to create more open cultural institutions. Bayerische Staatsoper and director Serge Dorny introduces its initiative Third Place, which aims to rethink access to the opera house and encourage new forms of public use and engagement. Katrin Beck and Manuela Kerer of the Münchener Biennale discuss how participation can be embedded within the architecture of a festival that unfolds across multiple urban sites. Raquel Rivera Fernandez shares the experience of developing the Real Teatro de Retiro as a cultural space dedicated to children and teenagers in Madrid, reflecting on how its programming and participatory practices have evolved since its opening in 2023.
19:00–20:00
Performance introduction
Location: HOCH X – Münchener Biennale
Introduction to the evening performance Hidden Heartache.
20:00
Hidden Heartache (world premiere)
Location: HOCH X – Münchener Biennale
Performance presented as part of the Münchener Biennale. More info here.
21:30
RESEO Social Club
Informal gathering for symposium participants and guests.
