Claudia Seidensticker was once again a guest at the HirschburgFORUM. In an interview with the founder of the KRASS e.V. association, the discussion focused on how cultural education sustainably empowers children and young people and opens up new perspectives. During the conversation, Claudia Seidensticker emphasized that cultural education extends far beyond traditional art instruction. For many years, the association has been committed to providing children and young people with access to art, creativity, and cultural participation, regardless of their social or financial circumstances. You can read the full interview here: Hirschburg FORUM
Long-term support instead of short-term funding
At the heart of this work lies a clear guiding principle: children should not only receive short-term support, but also long-term guidance. Instead of isolated projects, continuous programs are developed that extend over years, enabling children to develop trust, expressiveness, and self-confidence. Particularly important is low-threshold access – including direct access to living environments such as neighborhoods or refugee shelters, where artists regularly bring creative materials and inspiration.
Art as a key to personality development
A central tenet of KRASS is the conviction that art is key to personality development. Through creative processes, children learn not only artistic techniques, but also teamwork, a sense of responsibility, and the ability to critically reflect on their world. Art is understood as a form of expression that makes inner images visible and allows experiences to be processed. "When children paint, they build a bridge from the inside out"—this idea serves as a guiding principle throughout the organization's work.
It takes time to see results!
Claudia Seidensticker emphasizes that impact takes time. Individual workshops are insufficient to bring about lasting change. Crucial is continuous support, through which children learn to find their own voice. A real-life example vividly illustrates this development: A girl who initially refused to attend school discovered new perspectives through her exceptional talent for painting and later received a scholarship – today she is studying graphic design.
Emphasis on the mobile approach: "If the children don't come to us, we go to them."
The organization's mobile approach also plays a key role. Based on the principle "If the children won't come to us, we'll go to them," KRASS creates creative spaces where children live and grow up. These programs are complemented by excursions to museums, theaters, or ballets, making cultural experiences directly accessible.
Greater educational equity and social participation
In the interview, Claudia Seidensticker emphasizes that cultural education is no longer a given in many families. Precisely because arts and cultural offerings often involve costs, social inequalities in access to education arise early on. KRASS therefore sees its work as a contribution to greater educational equity and social participation.
When asked what motivates her, Claudia Seidensticker emphasizes above all continuity and the visible impact of her work. Her approach is characterized by pragmatism and perseverance: grand visions are not her priority, but rather reliable, daily action.
The message at the end is clear: creative thinking also means creative action. And perhaps, as the conversation suggested, we could learn from children to focus more on the positive and to be more grateful for what we already have.
About the HirschburgFORUM
The HirschburgFORUM sees itself as a platform for dialogue, networking, and civic engagement. People from foundations, associations, companies, and non-profit initiatives come together here to exchange experiences, learn from one another, and jointly develop new initiatives for the common good. The focus is on encounters, discussions, and projects that promote responsibility, social participation, and sustainable impact. The forum's guiding principle is "Together. Human. Life." and reflects its commitment to connecting people and ideas for a more livable society.