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installation view of designer furniture in an open bright gallery space
Image by Agnese Bedini and Alessandro Saletta – DSL Studio

Design

Emerging Talents: Milan Design Week 2026 group exhibition

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Target group
Practitioner with connection to Switzerland
Submission deadline
26 June, 23:59 (CEST)

What

During Milan Design Week in April 2026, a group exhibition will be presented featuring a selection of projects by designers that have been created through international collaboration.

For Whom

Emerging Talents’ are professional designers whose design-relevant training or registration (self-employed, sole proprietorship, company) dates back less than seven years.

Selection Criteria

  • High degree of innovation, marketability and a demonstrable sustainability concept in production and practice
  • The submitted project must arise from a programme offered by Pro Helvetia’s Design division (2023, 2024 or 2025 selection for matchmaking, individual platforms, international platforms, residencies, research trips, co-creation, work grants, starting power mentoring programmes, etc.).
  • International collaboration is at the centre of the project.
  • The project must not have been previously presented at Milan Design Week or at any other leading international professional fairs.
  • The project must involve a functional prototype or serial production.

In addition to these specific criteria, the apply.

Financial Contribution

Flat rate of CHF 1,200 per studio for travel costs and accommodation (round trip, economy). The programme also covers:

  • exhibition costs: rent, exhibition production (scenography, visual identity, etc.), transport, customs and insurance
  • communication costs: media training, PR and online promotion
  • industry coaching

In addition, designers with childcare responsibilities can apply for financial support of up to CHF 250 per week as a contribution to childcare or for the travel expenses of their children and, if necessary, a carer. This also applies if the child/children stay at home and are cared for. Applicants must present a budget of all expenses in advance.

Format-specific Exclusion Criteria

The following are excluded:

  • commissioned work and projects that are part of an advertising campaign
  • one-off items, craft projects, new editions, gallery projects
  • promotional platforms or publications

Application Deadlines and Decision Timelines

Applications can be submitted from25 May
Submission deadline26 June, 23:59 (CEST)
Notification of decisionSeptember

Additional Information

  • In cooperation with Presence Switzerland.

  • The selection is made by a panel of experts.
Send your application
Image by Agnese Bedini and Alessandro Saletta – DSL Studio

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