Find support
Abstract colorful graphic
Image by Eurostandard

Visual arts

Focus Photo

Send your application
Target group
Practitioner with connection to Switzerland
Submission deadline
1 September, 23:59 (CEST)

What

New production in the field of artistic, documentary or applied photography. Projects may be based on analogue, digital or post-photographic image practices.

For Whom

Photographers and artists

Selection Criteria

  • Project must demonstrate high degree of artistic originality and quality
  • Project must be feasible
  • Importance of the work for the applicant’s artistic development

In addition to these specific criteria, the apply.

Financial Contribution

Maximum grant of CHF 25,000

Content Of Application

  • Description of the planned project, implementation plan and budget with financial plan (incl. information regarding all financial assistance requested from third parties) in a single PDF
  • Portfolio: documentation of work over the last three years (incl. links to videos, etc.), maximum 20 pages
  • CV, including list of previous exhibition activities in a single PDF
  • If the project is planned as part of an exhibition: invitation letter from the organiser confirming the planned presentation

Format-specific Exclusion Criteria

The following are excluded:

  • projects involving journalistic research and reporting (with publication in print media or digital formats) as well as PR projects
  • new editions, commissioned works and projects that are part of an advertising campaign
  • photographic publications

Only one application may be submitted per person per call for applications for the following funding programmes:

  • Focus Photo
  • production grants
  • production grants with presentation

Application Deadlines and Decision Timelines

Applications can be submitted from1 July
Submission deadline1 September, 23:59 (CEST)
Notification of decisionWithin four months
Earliest start date for the project1 January

Decision-making processes

The applications will be assessed by a jury.

Additional Information

Send your application

General Requirements

Print page

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