Creative against the uniform: Gevelsberg painting school shows art among the police

Creative against the uniform: Gevelsberg painting school shows art among the police

In Mettmann there is an exciting dialogue between art and police, which not only beautifies the walls of the district police, but also promotes the creativity of young artists. On August 30, a special exhibition will be opened in the foyer of the police station, which shows works by around ten talented women from the “Maldumal” painting school.

These artists from Gevelsberg meet once a week and expressed their passion for painting over the years. The lecturer Amelie Bühne emphasizes the diversity within the group: "We girls are all different characters. But we have the passion and the joy of painting together." These regular gatherings not only offer space for artistic exchange, but also a valuable opportunity for social interaction with each other.

art in the police building

The works shown adaptally adapt to the environment and capture everyday scenes from everyday police life. The exhibition will open from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. and admission is free of charge. For interested visitors, however, it is important to note that there are restrictions on access in the police building. Registration at the police press office is required to be able to visit the exhibition until November 8, on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

This initiative is part of a number of similar exhibitions that have been organized by the police authority in recent years. Recently, young artists from the municipal high school in Wülfrath also had the opportunity to present their work to a wide audience. Since 2008, the students have participated in a Saturday studio funded by the state program "Culture and School". Angela Köhler, the head of this project, was enthusiastic about the chance of being presented: "Getting such a large and publicly effective exhibition is a special pleasure for our young artists."

The commitment to art and the promotion of young talents are important for the police in Mettmann. These exhibitions create a creative environment that not only influences the public perception of police work, but also promotes direct connections to the regional art scene. The expression of creativity in such a framework can help to draw a positive picture of the police and to strengthen confidence in the institution.

a creative exchange

The interaction of different age groups and creative backgrounds becomes particularly clear in this context. The contributions from the “Maldumal” painting school and the previous exhibition of the high school show that art can represent a connecting element. Here it becomes visible how valuable the creative exchange between generations and institutions is.

This artistic initiative brings a breath of fresh air to the police authority and at the same time a piece of life in the often strict environment. Visitors are not only confronted with art, but also experience how entrepreneurial thinking in art mediation can go hand in hand with police work. The dialogue between art and law enforcement officers creates a space that stimulates thinking and promotes social interaction.

Overall, the project shows how versatile and innovative the cooperation between art and police can be designed and that every exhibition offers a new way to beat bridges between different contact points.

artistic initiatives and cooperation

The exhibition of the “Maldumal” painting school is part of a longer tradition in which art and police work together to promote social interaction and reduce prejudices. Through such initiatives, the police are not only perceived as an institution as an enforcement authority, but also as a partner in cultural matters. Such projects not only offer a platform for local artists, but also strengthen confidence in the police by showing a more human side of the authority.

An example of a similar project is the cooperation between the police and schools, in which students are supported by art workshops. Events like this not only promote the creativity of the young people, but also their commitment to the community. The police thus become an active part of cultural life and contribute to the investigation through the establishment of relationships and trust in the public.

art and its role in society

art plays an important role in society, especially in times of crises and social tensions. It is often used as an expression of emotions and as a medium to process social problems. In the current time when many people are faced with challenges, the combination of art with institutions such as the police is particularly relevant.

Artistic projects such as those of the “Maldumal” painting school not only offer a space for creative forms of expression, but also a starting point for dialogue and understanding between different social groups. Access to art can help to reduce barriers and to address a wider public.

statistics on art promotion

According to the current report of "Culture at a glance" of the federal cultural foundation, most federal states in Germany spend millions of euros in the promotion of art and cultural projects. A large part of these funds flows into the cooperation between schools and cultural institutions. In 2022, the budget for projects that connect art and school was around 25 million euros nationwide. These investments show the growing awareness of the importance of cultural education and its positive influence on society.

The promotion of art in the school area not only has an aesthetic value, but also has a positive effect on the personal development of children and adolescents. Studies have shown that pupils who are actively involved in art projects provide better academic achievements and have more pronounced social skills.