Pro Helvetia
South America
Established in 2021, the South America liaison office of Pro Helvetia is committed to cultural exchange and artistic collaboration between Switzerland and South America. Working in a decentralised manner, our employees are based in Bogotá, Buenos Aires, La Paz, São Paulo, and Santiago (where the Head Office is based).
Our team of local experts facilitates and supports professional encounters between artistic scenes in the disciplines supported by Pro Helvetia. We forge ties with event organisers and nurture long-term partnerships with relevant platforms to support the promotion and dissemination of Swiss arts in the region. Our grants enable residencies and research trips in both directions to foster cultural exchange.
About us
Whom do we address?
- Artists and creators in Switzerland and the region
- Curators and cultural event organisers and programmers in Switzerland and the region
- Organisations, platforms and institutions supporting exchange and presentation of work to audiences in the region
Where we operate
We work throughout South America, supporting projects in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, and Venezuela.
Our funding activities
- We support the presentation of Swiss contemporary work in the region through participation in festivals, tours, exhibitions and events.
- We support professional exchange and networking among artists, cultural practitioners and partners from Switzerland and the region, in both geographical contexts.
- We run a residency programme and support research trips for individual artists and cultural practitioners from Switzerland and the region. Further information on our residency partner network and guides to residencies can be found here.
- We select projects on the basis of their outstanding qualities and their relevance in the regional context.
What’s on
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Sticky post: Weaving lasting ties between the Swiss and Colombian Dance Scenes
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Sticky post: Guide to Residencies in South America 2025
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Residencies 2027: information
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Community for women in gaming: She Got Game delegation in Argentina
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International platforms: a spotlight for Swiss music
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Co-creation: selected projects 2025
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Circuit Mixers: a networking project for FINTA DJ-producers
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Where languages meet: expanding translation across Switzerland and Latin America
Frequently asked questions
I am an artist from South America. What funding opportunities does Pro Helvetia offer?
Please find the relevant formats under Find support. Make sure to select the parameters that suit you.
How can I apply for a residency/research trip to Switzerland or South America?
The call for our residency programme opens once a year, from January to 1 March. Applications for research trips, however, may be submitted on an ongoing basis. Cultural practitioners from Switzerland (meaning either a Swiss citizen or a permanent resident in Switzerland) may apply for residencies in South America. Likewise, cultural practitioners from South America may apply for projects in Switzerland.
Can I apply for a residency with a partner not yet listed among your residency partners?
Yes. We work with a network of organisations that can host residencies, and we look to customise each project according to the needs of the individual arts professional as far as possible. Applicants are invited to consider, but are not limited to, the organisations listed as our partners.
I am an artist from South America and I want to present my work in Switzerland. Can Pro Helvetia fund me?
No. We do not normally support the presentation of work through, for example, exhibitions and tours in Switzerland. Please refer to artlink for funding opportunities relating to presenting work in Switzerland.
I am an artist from South America and I want to apply for funding for a project in another country within the region. Can Pro Helvetia fund me?
No. We only support projects that have a clear Swiss dimension or connection, involving Swiss arts professionals.
Can I apply for a project in a country not yet covered in your region?
No. Our office’s mandate is limited to South America.
I would like to translate a book from Switzerland into a language from South America. Can Pro Helvetia fund me?
Yes. Pro Helvetia supports the translation of Swiss authors’ works in other countries. Find all relevant support measure under Find Support.
I am a Swiss citizen based in South America and would like support for an exhibition/ event in the region. Can Pro Helvetia support me?
No. In order to apply for support for exhibitions or events in the liaison office regions, Swiss cultural practitioners must present a convincing artistic track record in Switzerland: artistic activity with a national/cross-regional reach.
Do you have a question and would like to speak with a team member?
The team at a glance