Frequently Asked Questions
(FAQ)
Below are the most common questions we receive. If your question isn’t listed here, feel free to write to us.
General Information
What is Something Great?
Founded in 2017, Something Great is a non-profit arts centre and organization dedicated to contemporary performing arts, with a focus on dance and performance. We support, promote, and present work by both Germany-based and international artists. You can learn more about us in our about section. If you have any questions, please contact us at contact@somethinggreat.de.Is the SG Arts Centre open to the public?
The SG Arts Centre is currently in a development phase. Founded in 2022, we are expanding and renovating our spaces and facilities between 2025 and 2030. Our first public venue is scheduled to officially open regularly to the public as of summer 2026, with additional venues opening in the years ahead as renovations are completed. Please see our arts centre section for an overview of our plans and timeline.
In the meantime, while renovations are planned and undergoing SG Arts Centre is already active: since 2022 we host artists in residence year-round and occasionally organize small-scale public events—either on-site or in other locations around Ruhner Berge. These events don’t follow a fixed schedule and are part of our ongoing process of development, gradual opening and community engagement.
Where are you located?
We operate from two main locations:
SG Arts Centre: Schloss Mentin, Am Schloss 2-4, 19376 Ruhner Berge, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern
SG Office: Dresdener Straße 8, 10999 Berlin
If you're curious to learn more about our arts centre, visit the arts centre section of our website. There, you'll find also background information on Ruhner Berge and an historical overview of Schloss Mentin.
Contact and Visits
How can I contact Something Great?
You can reach us by email at contact@somethinggreat.de or by calling our office at +49 30 2864 0944. For specific contacts, such as the email addresses of our team members, please visit our about section. You can email individual team members by clicking on their names.
What are your opening hours?
The public opening hours of our arts centre at Schloss Mentin in Ruhner Berge vary depending on our events. Please refer to the “What’s On” section of our website for specific event details. If you wish to visit us outside of event times, please contact us directly and we will be happy to arrange a suitable visiting time. Our office times are from Monday to Friday, 10AM to 6PM. How do I get to your centre or to your office?
Directions to both our Berlin office and our arts centre are available on our website’s visit page. For those planning to visit us in Ruhner Berge and not living in the region, we provide recommendations for overnight stays in the where to stay section of our Visit page, including lodging options in Ruhner Berge, Parchim, and nearby towns and villages.
I am planning to visit the centre but i don’t have a car — how do I get there and move around?
Please see the visit page for public transport and carpooling options on how to get our centre.
We provide free of charge bikes (electric and regular ) to resident artists without cars so that they canmove around while here.
We provide free of charge bikes (electric and regular ) to resident artists without cars so that they canmove around while here.
Is the SG Arts Centre accessible?
We are committed to accessibility; however, our facilities are not yet fully accessible for people with disabilities. We are actively working to improve this, but progress depends on securing public funding, sponsorships, and donor support. For detailed information or to discuss specific needs, please visit our accessibility page or contact us directly—we’ll do our best to accommodate you.
Do I need to follow any specific things i need to take into account while visiting?
Our house rules apply to all visitors, including artists and guests, at the SG Arts Centre. They include guidelines on safety, conduct, accessibility, and use of facilities. You can read the house rules here.
Events and Programs
How can I find out about upcoming events?
Check the calendar in our website menu for details, follow us on social media, or subscribe our newsletter. How do I buy tickets for events?
Ticket information and booking options are available on each event’s page in our calendar. Please check each event for details.Tickets are usually purchased at our box office. For more information, visit the service section of our website.
Are events suitable for children and families?
Suitability varies by event. Please check the events description for any age recommendations. Residencies and Artist Opportunities
How can I apply for a residency ?
Please note that, due to the high volume of proposals we receive, we may not be able to respond to every submission individually. Thank you for your understanding.
What types of proposals do you accept?
We welcome proposals for residencies, performances, and a variety of projects related to contemporary performance, dance, theatre, interdisciplinary art projects, and community initiatives. We are always open to innovative ideas and experimental formats, and we particularly encourage proposals that involve any form of exchange with our local community in Ruhner Berge.
We also consider proposals from artists interested in collaborations as associate artists - see below the section “collaborations and partnerships”. However, please note that our capacity to collaborate with new artists is limited, but we encourage you to reach out if you are interested in collaborating with us.
What support do artists receive at your centre?
Resident artists usually receive workspace and accommodation free of charge. Additional support for residencies, such as artist fees (paid residencies), may be available depending on our resources and the availablity of funding for such support. Sometimes to help us cover running costs, we kindly ask resident artists for a donation, if possible, to contribute towards utilities such as electricity and heating. When this applies, we will communicate the details to you in advance. For other proposals, such as performance proposals, we offer aside of artist fees, travel, accommodation, per diems costs for you and your team. To submit a proposal, please contact our Artistic and Executive Director. Please note that, due to the high volume of proposals we receive, we may not be able to respond to every submission individually. Thank you for your understanding.
Can international artists apply?
Yes, we welcome applications from both German-based artists and artists from elsewhere.
How many people can you accommodate?
Once renovations are completed, we will be able to accommodate up to 30 people across our guest rooms in the former distillery building of Schloss Mentin and additional rooms in other guesthouses available to the centre. When Schloss Mentin becomes fully operational, we also expect to occasionally host an additional 40–50 guests there, bringing total event capacity to approximately 70–80 people at the Schloss Mentin property.
Currently, due to ongoing renovations (expected through summer 2026), our on-site capacity is limited to about 4-5 guests at a time in a guest house of the centre. Additional accommodation is available through rentals of third-party holiday homes in Mentin and Ruhner Berge, as well as hotels and guesthouses in nearby towns. Please note that these external options are not provided free of charge. You can find our recommendations in the where to stay section.
Is there internet access at the SG Arts Centre?
Yes. Our facilities include Wi-Fi. Please contact us if you have specific technical needs.
Can I bring my child, partner or family?
We welcome residencies of artists wishing to come with their families, but space is limited. If you’re considering bringing your children or partner, please reach out in advance so we can explore what’s possible.
Are pets allowed?
Pets are not allowed in our on-site accommodations. Guide dogs and assistance animals are permitted at public events with proper documentation. Please refer to our house rules for full details.
Local Infrastructure
Are there any restaurants?
There are no restaurants in Ruhner Berge. The nearest options are in Parchim, approximately 20 km away. Residents have access to the kitchen in the guest house where they stay and are responsible for preparing their own meals. Supermarkets in Ruhner Berge are open daily, including weekends. During public events, our pop-up cafeteria offers aside of beverages, snacks and light meals to the public.
What happens if i need medical care?
Basic healthcare services are available in Ruhner Berge and Parchim, including pharmacies, clinics, and hospitals. In case of emergency, we will assist you and provide you with local contacts and directions.
Collaborations and Partnerships
How can artists and organizations collaborate with Something Great?
We regularly collaborate with artists, collectives, and cultural organizations from around the world. Collaborations can take many forms—co-productions, residencies, project development, or long-term cooperations and partnerships. If you're interested to collaborate with us, please email your proposal or inquiry to contact@somethinggreat.de.
What is an associate artist of Something Great?
Associated artists are artists with whom Something Great collaborates regularly. We support their evolving practices through representation, access to our spaces, co-commissions, and other forms of collaboration. Each relationship is shaped individually, depending on the artist’s needs and our shared goals.
Is it a support or a service?
Being an associated artist involves both receiving support and engaging our services. We offer associated artists space and resources to help develop their projects and occasionally present their work at our centre. In addition, we provide professional services such as international representation, tour management, and production assistance. These services may involve retainer fees or commissions, which help cover our running costs as a non-profit organisation.
Can i apply to become an associate artist?
There is no formal application process. These relationships typically begin with a conversation—either during a meeting or a residency at our centre—and develop over time through ongoing dialogue and a mutual commitment to work together.
What is expected from the associate artists?
It’s a two-way collaboration. We support their work, and in return, they engage with our broader mission as an arts centre—contributing with ideas, projects and expertise.
Do you offer internships or volunteer opportunities?
Yes, we sometimes offer internships and welcome volunteers. Check our vacancies or internships page.
Donations
How can I donate or support Something Great?
You can support us through donations—please visit our donations page for more information—by volunteering, attending our events, or supporting the projects of our associate artists.
Are donations tax-deductible?
Yes, as a registered non-profit organization, donations are tax-deductible. We will provide a donation receipt upon request.
Media and Press
Where can I find press releases or media information?
Visit our press page for media resources or contact us at contact@somethinggreat.de for press inquiries.
SG Radio Shows
Can I download the radio shows to listen offline?
No, episodes are available for streaming only and cannot be downloaded for offline listening.
In which languages are the radio shows available?
Most episodes are mostly in English, but some also in German, depending on the guests and topics of each radio show.
Website and Technical
How do I use the website’s features (e.g., event calendar, newsletter signup)?
Our website offers an event calendar, newsletter signup, and detailed information about our programs and activities. If you need assistance, please contact us at contact@somethinggreat.de.
Who do I contact if I have technical issues with the website?
For technical issues, please email contact@somethinggreat.de.
Other
What is your privacy policy and GTC?
Check out our privacy policy, legal details and general terms and conditions for information.
How do I subscribe to the newsletter?
You can subscribe to our newsletter via the links available on our website.Who do i contact for lost and found items?
Check out our house rules for full lost-and-found guidelines, or contact us at contact@somethinggreat.de