Info hub Covid-19

The information on this page will be updated on an ongoing basis. Some of the information linked on this page is only available in certain languages, therefore it has been maintained in its original language.

The current situation in connection with Covid-19 poses an enormous challenge for the entire arts scene in Switzerland. The Swiss Confederation, cantons, municipalities, foundations, associations and cultural practitioners are currently doing their utmost to come up with pragmatic solutions and offers of aid.

With this webpage we want to provide information on the latest developments in the cultural sector for cultural practitioners as quickly as possible. Furthermore, we ask you to share important information for cultural practitioners and organisations promoting artistic and cultural creation via the above-mentioned email address.

Please note: This platform was established in order to exchange information and is not a hotline.

© Illustration by Francesca Sanna

Call for COVID-19 projects a success

Our press release

«Close Distance»

All projects supported in the overview

colibri Donation Button

A project by wemakeit and Pro Helvetia

«Close Distance»: Seeking New Cultural Formats

Call for projects challenging mobility restrictions in times of Covid-19

«We are here for you»

Philippe Bischof on the Corona Crisis

Covid-19: New Opening Hours

Following the recommendations of the Federal Office of Public Health regarding the coronavirus, Pro Helvetia’s staff is working from home.

An overview and regularly updated information on federal measures to soften the economic consequences of coronavirus in the cultural sector can be found on the Confederation website (German, French or Italian).

Check the different options to see if they apply to your situation.

Suisseculture Sociale and the cantons are responsible for the allocation of funds.

Latest news – 12 August 2020 (German, French or Italian):

• Bundesrat verabschiedet Botschaft zum Covid-19-Gesetz
• Grossanlässe ab Oktober unter strengen Bedingungen und mit Bewilligung wieder möglich 

Emergency aid

• Cultural practitioners: Suisseculture Sociale

Compensation for losses

• Cultural practitioners and cultural businesses

Financial support

• Associations of non-professionals active in the cultural sector

Easing measures in the cultral sector

• Information on easing measures and protection concepts

During the Covid-19 pandemic, the Swiss Arts Council Pro Helvetia is adapting its funding practice to the current situation as far as possible.

Promotional Practise and Handling of Applications

The Swiss Arts Council Pro Helvetia is demonstrating flexibility in its overall handling of grants for artistic projects impacted by the situation around the Covid-19 pandemic. However, Pro Helvetia’s handling of applications and support varies depending on the type of project and the date of realisation. If your project cannot be carried out within the planned scope, please contact the respective division.
Please also note, that Pro Helvetia expects incoming applications to adhere to COVID19 related public health and safety measures. Decision making will consider the likelihood of the project being realised under the Covid-19 related measures in force in the country or region concerned. For further questions, please contact the responsible division.

Temporary support measures

During the lockdown phase, Pro Helvetia launched a call for projects from all arts disciplines entitled «Close Distance – Seeking New Cultural Formats». The divisions at Pro Helvetia are now assessing the medium-term impact of Covid-19 on the cultural scene. To support the relaunch of activities, they will provide temporary support measures through calls for applications or by adjusting existing support measures. All measures will be announced on this page (see blue box). They can also be found on the pages of the respective disciplines.

The information on this page will be updated on an ongoing basis. Some of the information linked on this page is only available in certain languages, therefore it has been maintained in its original language.

Here we provide information from the cultural sector for cultural practitioners and other interested parties, which is sent to us.

General

• colibri Donation Button: a project by wemakeit and Pro Helvetia
• Schutzkonzepte im Kultursektor Schweizer Musikrat SMR
• News Suisseculture
• News SwissFoundations
• News Artos
• #culturacasa La culture romande depuis chez vous, en période de confinement
• Info IG Kultur Luzern

Design & Interactive media

• News Swiss Design Association
• Swiss Game Developers Association (SGDA): Resources for Swiss game creators in time of the COVID-19 pandemic

Literature

• News A*dS Autorinnen und Autoren der Schweiz
• News ssa société suisse des auteurs
• Info sbvv Schweizer Buchhändler- und Verleger-Verband
• Info LIVRESUISSE

Music

• News and Info SONART
• News Schweizerischer Musikerverband (SMV)
• Info SUISA

Dance & Theatre

• News ticker Danse Suisse
• News ticker t. Theaterschaffende Schweiz
• Syndicat Suisse Romand du Spectacle (SSRS): newsfeed & plateforme spéciale infoscene.ch

Visual Arts

• Info and News Visarte
• Info museums.ch

Film

• Eidgenössische Filmkommission: Die Eidgenössische Filmkommission bekundet der Schweizer Filmbranche ihre Unterstützung und widmet sich der Zukunft des Kinos
• AROPA association romande de la production audiovisuelle

International

• Info on the move
• The Adobe Blog: Economic recovery tools for artists during the pandemic
• Kickstarter: COVID-19: Ressourcen für Künstler

Loss of artist fees and income

• Data collection SONART for cultural practitioners of all disciplines
• Data collection Schweizerischer Musikerverband (SMV)

Donations

• kulturklinik.ch

Selection: Relevant articles & media clips

• (18.3.) SRF Kulturplatz: Kultur versus Corona
• (20.3.) Tagesanzeiger Kultur: Bekommt DJ Bobo jetzt auch Geld vom Bundesrat?
• (24.3) SRF Kontext: Staatshilfe für die Kultur – wer bekommt was?
• (25.3.) SRF Kulturplatz: Corona – Die grosse Bewährungsprobe für die Schweiz
• (25.3.) SRF Kultur kompakt
• (25.3.) RTS Culture: Les artistes romands en confinement envoient des messages de solidarité
• (28.3.) 24 Heures: Interview mit Philippe Bischof
• (1.4.) SRF Kulturplatz: Was machen Künstler in Zeiten von Corona?
• (1.4.) NZZ Feuilleton: Es kommen härtere Zeiten. Da könnten Bücher hilfreich werden
• (7. und 8.4.) Keystone SDA/ATS: Pro Helvetia sucht nach Ansätzen für die Kultur nach der Krise; Aborder le thème de la distance de manière inédite
• (16.4.) La Liberté et le Courrier: «En Suisse, la culture survivra», Interview mit Philippe Bischof
• (21.4.) RTS Vertigo: Think tank, thanks!
• (30.4.) SRF Tagesgespräch: Isabelle Chassot: Die Ersten und die Letzten
• (6.5.) RTS Forum: Le débat – Culture: coup de massue?
• (20.5.) Migros Magazin: La crise foudroie la culture
• (25.5.) SRF Kontext: Wertschöpfung vs. Wertschätzung: Was ist die Kultur wert?
• (21.6.) SRF – Tagesschau: Kulturschaffende: «Vorsorgen muss man sich erst leisten können.»
• (24.6) SRF Kulturplatz: Wie geht es dem hiesigen Kulturschaffen drei Monate nach dem Soforthilfe-Paket des Bundes?
• (19.08) SRF Kulturplatz: Kulturförderung während Corona
• (02.09) Journal B: Kein Kahlschlag und kein «Weiter so»