In an interview with MINTvernetzt, Claudia Seidensticker spoke about the founding and development of KRASS, a creative educational project for children and young people.
The idea for KRASS emerged in 2005 after a severe traffic accident forced Claudia Seidensticker to reorient her life. Inspired by her passion for arts education and working with children, she initially founded a work with children, she founded a children’s studio. To attract attention, she opted for a spectacular launch right away: by setting up the world’s largest children’s studio, she succeeded in achieving a world record, thereby securing both media attention and funding.
Success through a "mobile approach"
However, success in the studio was not enough to reach children. Seidensticker quickly realized that the target group would not simply come to her. The solution was a mobile approach: a bus equipped with painting materials brought the activities directly to where children and young people spent their afternoons. They were supported by street workers who identified locations and helped facilitate initial contact.
Formats for children and young people
KRASS offers different formats for various age groups. While younger children are often found in playgrounds, teenagers require creative ways to reach them. These include, for example, mobile recording studios at sports fields or backyards. Long-term relationships are essential for Seidensticker, as only continuous programs give children the opportunity to develop their ideas and feelings and find their own voice.
Break down barriers, awaken curiosity
The approach to reaching educationally disadvantaged children deliberately differs from that used with children from more privileged backgrounds. Mobile, eye-catching buses help lower barriers and spark curiosity. In total, KRASS implements around 18 educational projects, supported by a team of full-time professionals and volunteers.
A particularly important principle for Seidensticker is that artists are paid for their work. In this way, children learn from professionals and experience artistic professions up close, while diversity and professional quality are ensured at the same time.
Participation, team spirit, tolerance
For Claudia Seidensticker, cultural education is not just a creative offering, but a crucial building block for social participation. It strengthens team spirit, tolerance, a sense of responsibility, and the ability to think critically. KRASS measures the success of these programs using a so-called “impact staircase”: from initial participation to individual scholarships, progress is made visible – one example is a girl who, through KRASS, went on to become a successful graphic design student.
KRASS thus demonstrates how art and culture can support children and young people, open up new perspectives, and enable social participation – and that creative educational work is particularly effective when it is designed to be sustainable, professional, and diverse.
Join us, support and encourage children! Volunteer in Düsseldorf at KRASS e.V.
Are you looking for a truly meaningful volunteer opportunity in Düsseldorf and would like to support children and help them become more self-confident through art, culture, education, and participation? Then volunteering with KRASS e.V. could be just right for you.
In this article, I'll take you behind the scenes at KRASS e.V.: What is KRASS, why is volunteering at KRASS so valuable, what can you do, and what else is important!
Cultural education and participation for children: That's what KRASS e.V. does in Düsseldorf.
KRASS e.V. is a non-profit association based in Düsseldorf. Its goal is to provide children and young people with free and low-threshold access to art, culture, education, and participation.
At the heart of KRASS is the conviction that every child is creative and that this creativity should be nurtured. Because those who paint, dance, build, sing, craft, model clay, make music, or perform theatre not only learn new skills, but also strengthen their self-confidence, their ability to express themselves, and their sense of community. All of this strengthens children’s personalities and makes them resilient for everyday life. Volunteering is an important pillar of this work.
INFORMATION MEETING
Every last Thursday of the month, KRASS e.V. hosts an information meeting for interested people from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the KRASS House in the Bürgerhaus-Eller. There you have the opportunity to get to know the association, ask questions, and learn more about our projects and volunteering opportunities.
Volunteers are essential!
KRASS offers a wide range of projects and activities in Düsseldorf that rely on volunteering. These include creative workshops for children, learning support, open children’s studios, theatre projects, art workshops, free leisure activities, holiday programs, a recording studio for young people, and the well-known KulturMobil – a mobile studio that regularly travels through Düsseldorf’s districts and offers free art activities.
Children can simply come by, join in, try things out, and have fun – no registration needed. Just like that. In this way, KRASS e.V. reaches many children every year in Düsseldorf and other locations who would otherwise have little access to cultural programs.
And this is exactly where volunteering plays a crucial role. Because without it, none of this would be possible.
Without volunteers, it's impossible: The KRASS CultureMobile is on site, where the children are and need our support!
Why volunteering for children is so important at KRASS
Volunteering is the heart of KRASS. Without volunteers, many projects would not be possible at all. The artists and project coordinators within the association plan and organize the activities; their implementation depends on committed people who contribute their time, skills, and enthusiasm on a voluntary basis.
Volunteers at KRASS are not mere bystanders, but an essential and valuable part of the team. They support children while painting, crafting, dancing, or making music, and help set up events. They also supervise groups, organize outings and supervision activities, visit theatres and cinemas, or go to museums together with the children.
Sometimes, they are simply there to listen, encourage, or give courage.
Typical tasks for volunteers at KRASS e.V.
Those who want to get involved with KRASS in Düsseldorf will find many opportunities to contribute – depending on their interests, skills, life situation, and available time. Whether on-site, creative, organizational, or digital: involvement takes many forms – and there's something suitable for everyone.
Accompanying creative projects You can participate in painting, crafting, or music workshops, support children, and guide their creative processes. It's not about performance, but about the joy of doing. Many children are holding a paintbrush or a camera for the first time – they need someone to encourage and guide them.
Learning and homework help KRASS also offers Tutoring and learning support. If you have patience and enjoy sharing knowledge, you can volunteer to help children with their studies, explain homework, or simply support them with their practice.
Support at events Volunteers are needed for exhibitions, summer festivals, and neighborhood events to help organize, greet visitors, supervise children, and set up booths. They also assist with the smooth running of events – for example, at the volunteer fair in Düsseldorf.
Volunteer work in public relations and organization Those who prefer to work behind the scenes can provide support in the office, with project planning, or in public relations – for example, with social media, writing, photography, or fundraising, and even distributing flyers at street festivals. All of this indirectly benefits the children!
Holiday programs and excursions During school holidays, there are often creative holiday camps or day activities where volunteers are involved. These projects are particularly popular because they are more intensive and allow volunteers to accompany the children over several days.
Just be there and take care Cutting fruit for the children, going shopping, tidying up, setting up tables and chairs, and even simply wiping a runny nose. Sometimes it doesn't take a big effort to do something good. At KRASS, it's often the seemingly simple things that count. And that's why volunteering is so important!
Why volunteering with children is so worthwhile and fulfilling
Volunteering is more than just a good intention – it makes a difference. In society, but also within oneself. At KRASS, this is particularly noticeable: Those who volunteer here experience firsthand how children grow, develop, and discover new things. This direct experience is what makes volunteering so meaningful – you don't just see the impact, you feel it.
You'll meet new people in Düsseldorf or at other locations, discover hidden talents within yourself, develop personally, and gain the satisfying feeling of being needed. Exchanging ideas with other volunteers leads to inspiring encounters, new ideas, and sometimes even genuine friendships. It's an enriching experience that costs nothing but a little time and commitment.
And you'll notice: The children give back at least as much as you give. Their laughter, their enthusiasm, and their openness are contagious. They remind us what life is really about – community, creativity, a safe space, respectful interaction, and ultimately, joy and meaning.
Without volunteers, cultural education for children with difficult circumstances would be completely inconceivable.
Children take a trip to Düsseldorf Art PalaceVolunteering makes art accessible to children.
Why is voluntary work so indispensable?
🔹 Strengthening community Volunteers create places for people to meet, promote togetherness, and ensure that people support each other.
🔹 Bringing about change KRASS's social and cultural projects for children and young people exist only thanks to the active support of volunteers. Every helping hand makes a difference.
🔹 Living values Solidarity, respect, compassion, and commitment are more than just buzzwords for KRASS. They become a lived reality through volunteer work. Volunteer support makes a concrete contribution to ensuring that we can truly live our values.
🔹 Personal development Volunteering is not just about giving, but also about growth. Those who get involved make valuable contacts, gain experience, and acquire new perspectives.
Volunteering is the quiet force behind the scenes! Volunteers donate their time, energy, and passion for a better society – and in our case, for happier children. Volunteering deserves not only appreciation but also active support. Volunteers complement professional structures and create additional capacity, creativity, and engagement.
Volunteering is democracy in action.
Volunteers bring their own and new ideas to existing structures. They provide valuable impetus and enrich us with skills and perspectives from their lived experiences. Volunteering thus also means active participation and lived democracy. It encompasses questioning structures and routines, highlighting societal developments, and contributing new viewpoints. At the same time, civic engagement promotes participation in the common good and strengthens democratic values such as participation, responsibility, and social cohesion.
Are you interested in volunteering at KRASS? In Düsseldorf, Trier, Lüneburg or Hamburg?Write to us! We look forward to your message!
Working with children requires an extended certificate of good conduct. This is for the protection of children and is standard practice for all non-profit organizations that work with children. Don't worry – you don't have to pay any fees for this. Anyone involved in voluntary work can apply for the certificate of good conduct free of charge at the relevant citizens' office in Düsseldorf. The KRASS team will gladly assist you and issue the necessary certificate so you can submit your application without any problems.
Did you know that? Four facts about volunteering
Fact 1: The historical origin
Volunteering has its roots in the Middle Ages, albeit in a very different form than today. Originally (from around the 12th century onwards), "honorary offices" were public duties that citizens – mostly from the wealthy upper class – were obligated to perform. Those appointed were considered "honored" but could not refuse. It was therefore less a voluntary commitment and more a civic duty imposed by the city.
Fact 2: The German “Volunteer Nation”
Germany is a true role model when it comes to volunteering. According to the latest Volunteer Survey, over 30 million people in Germany volunteer. That's almost every second adult over the age of 14!
Fact 3: The economic value
If unpaid volunteer hours in Germany were calculated at a minimum wage, the added value would amount to billions. Without volunteers, many sectors in Germany – from fire departments and sports to child, youth, and refugee services – would simply collapse.
Fact 4: The “Volunteer Card” Düsseldorf
For particularly dedicated individuals, there's a "volunteer card"! This card entitles volunteers in many German states and municipalities to discounts at public institutions, cinemas, swimming pools, and museums. It's a small token of appreciation from society for their service. You can apply for the volunteer card in Düsseldorf. 👉 Apply for a volunteer card
In May 2024, the operator of the kiosk on the ground floor of the building where our chairwoman Claudia Seidensticker also lived set fire to his kiosk. Verena Kensbrock wrote a very detailed article in the Rheinische Post. insightful article (Paywall) about the disaster in Flingern.
But what happened back then?
In the night of May 15-16, 2024, a devastating accident occurred in Düsseldorf-Flingern: At approximately 2:25 a.m., a kiosk on the ground floor of a six-story residential and commercial building on Lichtstraße exploded. The explosion woke residents and set the building ablaze. Four people lost their lives, including the 48-year-old kiosk owner, who was found in the immediate vicinity of the kiosk. Sixteen other people were injured, two of them seriously. The fire department responded with a large contingent of around 100 personnel and rescued several residents from balconies. The fire quickly spread to the first floor, and several cars parked in front of the building also caught fire.
Initial investigations pointed to arson as the cause. Later, police and prosecutors confirmed that the kiosk owner had started the fire himself. He had spilled gasoline in the shop and ignited it, leading to the explosion. The man had previously been faced with the termination of his lease and was said to have mental health issues. He died in the explosion, as did a 55-year-old tenant, an 18-year-old resident of the building, and a 61-year-old woman who succumbed to her severe injuries several weeks after the incident in a specialized clinic. Investigators believe the kiosk owner committed the act out of desperation.
"I thought you had to make it all the way down now, otherwise it's over."
Claudia Seidensticker was also injured and spent three months in a clinic, severely traumatized. She witnessed the events at close range, as she lived on one of the upper floors of the building. Fortunately, she managed to escape via the stairwell and is now on the road to recovery.
ARAG SE supports our cultural work for children. We are so grateful for this donation! Our heartfelt thanks go to ARAG SE Düsseldorf and the team around Kathrin Köhler and Hannah Sophia David..
We would like to take this opportunity to express our deepest gratitude to ARAG SE Düsseldorf for their generous donation. Our thanks also go to the dedicated team around Kathrin Köhler and Hannah Sophia David, who made this support possible.
With their donation, they make a valuable contribution. This enables many more children in Düsseldorf to gain access to creative education, art, and culture – regardless of their parents’ financial situation.
A donation for the future of our children and young people
This support is far more than just a financial contribution. It is an investment in the future of children and young people. Creative education opens up opportunities, supports talents, and strengthens the self-confidence of young people.
ARAG SE Düsseldorf's commitment demonstrates the importance of social responsibility. Especially in times when equal opportunities are not a given, this donation sends a powerful message. Every child, regardless of origin or background, should have the opportunity to discover and express their creativity.
At KRASS e.V., we are convinced that art and culture make the world a fairer and more colorful place for children. Thanks to partners like ARAG SE, we can get a little closer to this goal every day.
Thank you so much for this valuable support!
Children from the Krass House thank ARAG SE Düsseldorf for their generous donation.
So that things don't get boring during the Easter holidays!
This post refers to the Easter holidays 2025. Here you can find the programme for the 👉 easter holidays 2026
We have a great program with creative activities for you during both weeks of the Easter holidays! All children between 6 and 12 years old can participate. Only at Dancing There is one small exception: This is for girls aged 9 and up.
Come along – every day from 17 to 18 pm! No registration required! And of course, it's free.
👉 Mondays: We're putting on a play! Here you can slip into different roles, be loud, funny, or serious. Together we'll create short scenes and have lots of fun.
👉 Thursdays: Free painting and crafting in the studio or outside in the courtyard. You can paint, craft, hammer, or glue. Anything you can think of is allowed. We provide paints, brushes, and materials – you just bring your imagination!
👉 Fridays: Dancing and empowerment for girls aged 9 and up. Here you can learn cool moves, let loose and try out choreographies together with other girls.
Come along, join in and feel free to bring your friends. We're looking forward to seeing you! 🌟
And hey, what holidays come after Easter? Summer holidays! You can already look forward to our Summer holiday offer children will be delighted!
Karin Fischer conducts a wonderful interview with Claudia Seidensticker, the founder of KRASS, on Deutschlandfunk radio. Title: Action Instead of Complaining! You can listen to the whole thing here → Listen to the interview.
Are you interested in a Social Day at a non-profit organization in Düsseldorf? Then come to KRASS e.V.. More and more companies are relying on Social Days – joint action days where company employees dedicate their working hours to a good cause.
A Social Day means: A team from a company spends a whole day doing something to actively and energetically support the non-profit organizationInstead of a desk and everyday office life, there are tangible tasks to be done: building, renovating, sorting, designing, or working creatively with children.
Most often, the initiative comes from employees themselves, who suggest a non-profit organization where the team can volunteer their time for a full day. At KRASS, we are happy about every team and every Social Day!
It is always a great experience, such as working with Boston Consulting Group, the “Procurement Team” of StepStone Group, or with the MERKUR PRIVATBANK from Düsseldorf. It is a chance to exchange ideas across completely different fields of work – and to do something meaningful at the same time!
Social Day brings positive experiences for all participants
Whether with lawyers, tax advisors, sales representatives or accountants: the experiences at the Social Day are always great for both sides:
Motivation and team spirit: All employees are highly motivated and are growing closely together as a group.
New perspectives: In exchange with us, corporate teams learn about the realities of children and young people living in challenging life situations.
Strengthening awareness: In the end, what remains is not only a visible result, but also a greater understanding of social responsibility.
With shovels, paint buckets or craft materials in hand, colleagues often get to know each other in a completely new way – this strengthens team cohesion far beyond the Social Day.
Why a Social Day is so valuable for everyone involved
Social Days are not only a win for non-profit organizations like KRASS e.V., but also for companies themselves – and for those who benefit the most: our KRASS children!
👉 A Social Day promotes corporate volunteering and social engagement. 👉 Teams experience strong team-building effects outside of everyday work. 👉 Socially important projects receive practical support. 👉 In our specific case: Children benefit from the commitment of the company teams!
Thank you to all the teams who completed a Social Day with us!
We at KRASS e.V. extend our heartfelt thanks to all the companies that support us with their commitment. Every Social Day means real added value for us – for the association, for the children and young people, and also for the teams themselves.
We're already looking forward to our next joint activities. Join us!
Are you interested in a Social Day in Düsseldorf?
Then please get in touch! Whether you're a law firm, agency, start-up, retailer, wholesaler, tradesperson, or corporation! We welcome any team that dedicates its time and energy to a social organization in Düsseldorf. We look forward to meeting your team!
A Social Day is a special day on which employees of a company or members of an organization have the opportunity to engage in social work. This day is usually organized by the company to give back to society and simultaneously strengthen team spirit.
Various uses
The activities on a Social Day can vary greatly. Participants often support social institutions such as retirement homes, kindergartens, or non-profit organizations. Animal shelters also benefit from volunteer help, whether it's walking dogs, feeding them, or assisting with organizational tasks. Environmental projects are another option: volunteers plant trees, clean parks, beaches, or riverbanks, or get involved in local conservation projects. Some companies also support hands-on or creative projects, such as renovating schools or designing common areas.
For companies, a Social Day is a way to demonstrate social responsibility and communicate their values externally. It signals that sustainability, the common good, and social engagement are important to them. Numerous studies show that social projects can have a positive impact on employee motivation, identification with the company, and the employer brand.
Societal added value
Beyond the direct benefits for participants, a Social Day contributes to strengthening solidarity and social awareness. This engagement raises awareness of social and environmental issues and fosters networks between companies, non-profit organizations, and the local community. This leads to long-term partnerships that have an impact far beyond the individual day of action.
The Friends of the Kunstpalast are actively committed to attracting new visitors to the museum. They have recognized that free admission, cultural vouchers, or the youth club alone are not sufficient. In order to inspire future generations for art, additional and engaging programs are needed.
KRASS actively supports this initiative. Artists visit selected schools and introduce students to the Kunstpalast and its collections. Afterwards, the young people explore the exhibition and experience the artworks up close.
In the KRASS studio, they become creative themselves and transform their own ideas into artistic work, turning the museum into a place where they can actively participate and create.
The Friends of the Kunstpalast e.V. have been supporting the Stiftung Museum Kunstpalast as a non-profit association since 1965. With more than 6,000 members, they strengthen the Kunstpalast, the NRW-Forum, and the Robert Schumann Hall both financially and ideologically.
They promote cultural participation and are committed to the mediation of art and culture in Düsseldorf.
The City of Düsseldorf's Sustainability Alliance celebrated its 5th anniversary – and of course we were there!
KRASS, in collaboration with tanzhaus nrw, conceived a workshop called "Killerphrases": How do you respond competently, objectively and wittily to verbal attacks?
The 17 SDGs also open up another field in this context. In response to the statement: “Social sustainability is somehow nonsense – the main thing is that the environment is protected”, we agreed on the following, for example:
"Social sustainability is the foundation for any genuine environmental change. Without education, participation, and fair living conditions for all, we cannot achieve ecological goals – because sustainable action grows from social justice and community spirit. Children and young people need role models, opportunities, and stable spaces to take responsibility for our future."
We will provide the alliance with around ten answers to potential killer phrases and are of course looking forward to another 5 years!
About the Düsseldorf Alliance for Sustainability
The Düsseldorf Alliance for Sustainability is a network for non-profit organizations that promotes exchange and networking on sustainability topics. It offers the opportunity to share experiences, develop joint approaches to action, and learn from one another.
The goal is to jointly strengthen sustainable impact in Düsseldorf and to motivate each other.
