Geodesic Dome in Ostpark to Become Permanent Cultural Venue, Commercial Events Banned by City
Munich, September 6, 2026 – A unique geodesic dome in Munich’s Ostpark-Theatron, initially intended as a temporary performance space, is now set to become a permanent fixture for the Pepe Arts Collective. However, the Munich City Council has stepped in to prohibit commercial events at the venue after it was found to be advertised for corporate functions, product launches, and customer events.
The 8.5-meter-high, hemispherical structure, known as the Pepe-Dome, was erected in August 2025 as a temporary rehearsal and training ground for the contemporary circus project, the Pepe Arts Collective. Due to the lack of a suitable, long-term alternative within the city, the temporary solution is now being extended for at least the next three years.
Controversy Over Commercial Use and Funding
Despite the city council’s decision in April to allow continued use, the dome is still awaiting an official building permit. The Local Building Commission is currently working on the approval, with an exception rule in place that typically only applies for a maximum of four weeks. This is due to the principle that urban green spaces should primarily serve for public recreation and remain free of permanent structures.
The Pepe-Dome, however, is a specific initiative supported by the city council, with the clear condition that it must be used for artists and contemporary circus festivals. This stipulation was emphasized by the Public Order Office (KVR) and the Department of Culture. Yet, until recently, the Pepe-Dome’s website was actively promoting the venue as a ‘unique location for your corporate events,’ boasting ‘spectacular architecture with professional event infrastructure’ suitable for ‘company Christmas parties, anniversaries, product launches, and customer events in a unique dome atmosphere’ for up to 200 guests. Following inquiries, the commercial advertising has since been removed from the website.
The KVR confirmed that every event at the Pepe-Dome must be registered and reviewed. According to the city council’s resolution, only events with a focus on contemporary circus, dance, theater, music, and culture will be approved. ‘Company parties, product launches, or customer events cannot be approved by the event office as they do not fall into these categories,’ stated the KVR. Furthermore, the Pepe gastronomy requires a separate permit for serving alcohol.
Financial Challenges and Future Outlook
The artists behind the Pepe-Dome are also facing financial challenges. Earlier this year, a heated debate arose between the Ramersdorf-Perlach district committee and the city regarding a request from Pepe-Shows for a 10,000-euro subsidy from the district committee’s budget. The collective argued that the city’s project funding was insufficient. While the district committee approved the funds at the time, they made it clear that they would not be responsible for the dome’s operational costs in the future, stating that the city council, having initiated the project in Ostpark, should ensure its funding.
To date, the Department of Culture has only provided funding for individual events. In 2025, it subsidized the setup, event technology, a portion of the operations, and the commissioning of an architect for the building permit application. The city council’s resolution broadly states that ‘possibilities for temporary support’ will be explored by the Department of Culture if operations cannot be fully financed through rental income, donations, and third-party funds. This remains a challenge given the current strained budget.
The future of the Pepe-Dome as a permanent cultural venue in Ostpark is now clearer, with a strong emphasis on its artistic and cultural purpose, free from commercial exploitation. The ongoing efforts to secure official permits and sustainable funding will be crucial in ensuring its long-term success as a vibrant hub for contemporary arts in Munich.
