Cross-cantonal cultural competence centres (LU, NW, OW, SZ, UR, ZG)

The project «Überkantonale kulturelle Kompetenzzentren» aims to gauge the effectiveness of cultural competence centres that have been set up in Central Switzerland in recent years. Specifically, four such cultural institutions with cross-cantonal appeal – «Haus der Volksmusik» in Altdorf, «Literaturhaus Zentralschweiz lit.z» in Stans, «Kulturlandschaft Luzern» and «expo Turbine» in Giswil – are being sponsored in this context from 2016 to 2018. They receive scientific back-up in the development, conducting and evaluation of selected events as well as support for the realisation of projects and events of their own.

The outcome has been a multifaceted cultural programme including a composition contest for new «Ländler» folk music drawing on melodies by music legend Kasi Geisser from the canton of Schwyz, guided bus tours through Lucerne’s cultural landscape, and workshops on the subject of lay theatre. The «International Performance Art 2017» programme, conducted by «expo Turbine», saw cultural diversity in practice, with the inhabitants of Giswil invited to participate as hosts in the creation of performances.

Pro Helvetia provides financial assistance for the project of the Central Swiss cantons from 2016 to 2018.