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Music

Creation and production: contemporary music

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Target group
Practitioner with connection to Switzerland
Submission deadline
1 March and 1 September

Information

For this new support measure, the earliest possible start date of your project is 1 July 2025. If your project is to be realised between 1 March and 30 June 2025, please contact us via music@prohelvetia.ch. 

What

Creation and production grants for new musical works (commissioned compositions, music theatre, sound installations, musical productions with links to other artistic disciplines)

For Whom

Nationally established music professionals and ensembles from Switzerland who work in contemporary music, music theatre, sound art or contemporary folk music

Selection Criteria

  • The music professionals are recognised nationwide and regularly perform at renowned event venues in Switzerland and abroad
  • The music professionals have already been supported by Pro Helvetia as part of projects abroad
  • The first public performance takes place as part of a renowned festival and/or a relevant concert series in or outside Switzerland
  • Appropriate fees for the music professionals
  • Appropriate financial support from other funding organisations
  • Strategy for national and international promotion
  • Artistic relevance, number and quality of the event venues and performance dates, national and international promotion potential

In addition to these specific criteria, the apply.

Financial Contribution

The amount of the grant depends on the overall size of the project, the fees and the production costs.

The maximum amount is CHF 25,000.

Content Of Application

  • Project description (concept and implementation)
  • Details of the individuals involved
  • Schedule for the creation and production phase
  • Date and venue of all confirmed performances
  • Detailed budget broken down by creation and production costs (creation, rehearsals, etc.) and performance costs. Social security contributions must be budgeted for all staffing costs.
  • Detailed financing plan (incl. enquiries to other funding organisations and co-producer services)

Format-specific Exclusion Criteria

It is not possible to submit the same application to the funding measures ‘Creation and production: pop, jazz, global’ and ‘Creation and production: contemporary music’ at the same time.

Application Deadlines and Decision Timelines

Applications can be submitted from1 January and 1 July
Submission deadline1 March and 1 September
Notification of decisionWithin four months
Earliest start date for the project1 July and 1 January

Decision-making processes

The applications will be assessed by a jury.

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General Requirements

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Introduction

Pro Helvetia promotes the professional contemporary Swiss art and cultural production (without film) with a view to diversity as well as national and international reach. It supports the creation of new artistic works and productions, the exchange between Switzerland’s various linguistic regions, the dissemination of Swiss art and culture outside Switzerland and international cultural exchange. As a national foundation, Pro Helvetia supplements the promotional activities of Swiss cantons and municipalities and only supports projects that are cross-regionally or internationally recognised.

Pro Helvetia will only consider funding applications if they are complete and have been submitted on time.

To be eligible for support, projects must

  • have a clear connection to Switzerland
  • be of nationwide importance
  • be adequately co-funded by other public or private means
  • respects/guarantee fair working conditions

Connection to Switzerland

A connection to Switzerland is given, if one of the following conditions is met:

  • The production or project in question is developed or implemented by artists and cultural practitioners, who verifiably hold Swiss citizenship or are permanent residents of Switzerland and who are regularly artistically involved in relevant events in Switzerland.
  • The project is created, developed, or implemented by an independent group or cultural institution whose place of production is in Switzerland and who is regularly and publicly active in Switzerland.

Nationwide relevance

Nationwide relevance is given, if one of the following conditions is met:

  • The art and cultural practitioners participating in the project are regularly involved in programmes of nationally recognised art and cultural institutions in Swiss regions other than their own or abroad, and the project in question has a transregional appeal.
  • The artistic potential of an emerging art practitioner involved is exceptional in terms of a national or international career.
  • The project makes a significant contribution to the development of Swiss artistic and cultural production and its dissemination.
  • The project is of significant importance for the exchange between Switzerland’s various linguistic regions.

Assessment of content and quality

Within the framework of the available funds, Pro Helvetia prioritises projects that most comprehensively meet the funding criteria. The Foundation assesses whether

  • the project demonstrates high degree of independence and professional competence as well as social and thematic relevance
  • the project is implemented according to professional standards
  • the costs are commensurate with the expected impact
  • a lasting impact can be expected

Furthermore, the Foundation attaches great importance to the following aspects:

  • The project has an appropriate commitment to diversity.
  • Resources are used in an ecologically responsible manner and work and production are planned sustainably.

Restrictions

Pro Helvetia is unable to consider funding requests if

  • the same part of the submitted project is already received funding from other federal bodies (e.g. Federal Office of Culture, Presence Switzerland, Swiss National Science Foundation, Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation)
  • the project is part of a school or university curriculum/basic training or continuing education programme (including dissertations, diploma projects, university scholarships, etc.)
  • funding is intended to cover infrastructure and equipment costs, as well as the costs of operating cultural facilities, archives and collections
  • the project does not depend on funding from Pro Helvetia

Status: January 2024