You want to reflect on a new project? Within the wide range of funding measures in the visual arts, two of them specifically supports artists and curators from Switzerland when they are at the initial phase of a project.
For both measures called START, funding up to CHF 5,000 is available to support the research, project development and early experimental implementation processes.
These measures aim to support the initial phase of a new project and are open to both emerging and established artists or curators from Switzerland.
Priority is given to projects with a high degree of artistic originality and quality. Furthermore, the importance (and timing) of the project for the artistic career of the applicant is also taken into account, as well as the evaluation of the project phase that the applicant presents in the request, as the measure is designed for initial phases of a new production.
START: artistic project development
Open year-round, artists, photographers and architects from Switzerland can apply to receive support for their research, project development and early experimental implementation processes in all areas of visual arts.
Geneva based artist Flora Mottini has been testing the past few years different image production processes, including risograph printing, to explore the notions of horizon and immersion.
In 2024, she received a START grant with the goal to deepen this research, especially the notion of immersion, and to experiment further with this printing technique. She was able to carry out multiple tests of colours, formats and framings with the risograph printer.
‘Thanks to the support provided by START, I was able to freely explore new artistic approaches with the risograph printing process, trying out this technique with my images, and deepening my artistic research. This support measure offered me the freedom to work on the development of a new production related to this research.’
Flora Mottini
START: curatorial project development
Open year-round, independent curators from Switzerland working in visual arts, photography or architecture can apply to receive support for their research on a subject related to contemporary artistic creation in Switzerland, which is expected to form the basis of a future project (exhibition, programme or publication).
Independent curator Fabian Flückiger, based in Bern and Brussel, received in 2024 a START grant for his project ‘Mapping Brussels’ (working title), an exploration of the city’s artistic microcosm, including a specific focus on artists from Switzerland.
This research project, conceived as a metaphorical city tour through a selection of artworks, will form the basis of a future exhibition, presented with co-curator Valérie Knoll at the Kölnischer Kunstverein in 2026.
‘For independent curators, the conceptual development of an exhibition often comes at their own expense. At the same time, guest-curated exhibition projects are an enrichment for everyone involved and bring phenomena into focus that cannot always be covered in institutional exhibitions. Thanks to the support provided through “START: curatorial project development”, I was able to deepen my research a year and a half before the opening of the exhibition. The upcoming exhibition will offer a metaphorical walk and, by means of artistic explorations, provide a new perspective on urban landscapes that engages in dialogue with the topics of security, architecture, history, social justice and material cycles.’
Fabian Flückiger
Production phase
You are now at the next phase and want to produce a new project?
Discover the following five measures and some supported projects
