Call for Creation and Production: Pop, Jazz, Global (Switzerland)

The Creation and Production Grants support nationally established music professionals and bands in Switzerland in creating and producing new musical works. With grants of up to CHF 25,000, the programme funds new repertoire, recorded music productions, live performances, and related music projects across a range of contemporary music genres.

What are the Creation and Production Grants?

The Creation and Production Grants provide financial support for professional musicians and bands in Switzerland to create, produce, and promote new musical works.

The programme encourages artistic innovation while supporting high-quality music productions that demonstrate strong national significance and international potential. Funding can be used for new compositions, recordings, performances, and other creative music projects that contribute to the contemporary Swiss music scene.

Program Overview

• Programme Name: Creation and Production Grants
• Programme Type: Music creation and production funding
• Maximum Funding: Up to CHF 25,000
• Eligible Applicants: Nationally established Swiss music professionals and bands
• Country Focus: Switzerland
• Primary Objective: Support the creation and production of new music projects

Funding Amount

The programme provides:

• Up to CHF 25,000 per project

The final grant amount depends on factors such as:

• Overall project size.
• Production costs.
• Professional fees.
• Scope of artistic activities.

Funding is intended to support high-quality music productions that demonstrate artistic excellence and strong implementation plans.

Programme Objectives

The Creation and Production Grants aim to:

• Support the creation of new musical works.
• Encourage artistic innovation.
• Strengthen Switzerland’s contemporary music sector.
• Promote professional music production.
• Increase national and international visibility of Swiss artists.
• Support fair remuneration for music professionals.
• Encourage collaboration across the music industry.

The programme helps artists transform creative ideas into professionally produced musical projects.

Supported Music Genres

Funding is available for projects within the following genres:

• Pop
• Rock
• Jazz
• Electronic music
• Experimental music
• Global sounds
• Hip-hop

Projects should reflect a strong artistic identity and contribute to the contemporary music landscape.

Eligible Project Activities

Funding may support:

• Creation of new repertoire.
• Recorded music productions.
• Musical performances.
• Music production projects.
• Creative development.
• Artistic collaboration.
• Related professional music initiatives.

Projects should clearly demonstrate originality, artistic quality, and professional implementation.

Project Requirements

Projects must:

• Have a clear connection to Switzerland.
• Be of nationwide importance.
• Receive appropriate co-funding from public or private sources.
• Guarantee fair working conditions.
• Include realistic production and promotion plans.

Applications should demonstrate both artistic quality and practical feasibility.

Assessment Criteria

Applications are evaluated based on several factors, including:

• Artistic relevance.
• Quality of the proposed project.
• Appropriate fees for music professionals.
• Financial support secured from other funding sources.
• Number and quality of planned performance venues.
• Performance schedule.
• National promotion strategy.
• International promotion potential.

Projects with strong artistic and commercial prospects are particularly competitive.

Who is Eligible?

Applicants must:

• Be nationally established music professionals or bands.
• Be based in Switzerland.
• Work within one of the eligible music genres.
• Be recognised throughout Switzerland.
• Perform regularly at well-known venues in Switzerland and internationally.
• Have previously received support from Pro Helvetia.
• Work with professional industry partners such as:
  • Record labels
  • Management companies
  • Booking agencies
  • Other professional music representatives

The programme is intended for artists with an established professional career.

Application Requirements

Applications should include:

• Project description.
• Artistic concept.
• Implementation plan.
• Demo recordings.
• International promotion strategy.
• Details of the individuals involved.
• Information about the record label (where applicable).
• Production schedule.
• Creation timeline.
• National promotion plan.
• International promotion plan.

Complete and well-organised applications strengthen the overall proposal.

What Makes a Strong Application?

Competitive applications generally demonstrate:

• High artistic quality.
• Original musical vision.
• Strong professional track record.
• Realistic production planning.
• National relevance.
• International growth potential.
• Professional partnerships.
• Fair remuneration for collaborators.
• Well-developed promotion strategies.

Projects that combine artistic excellence with strong implementation are particularly competitive.

How to Apply

Follow these steps to prepare your application.

Step 1: Confirm Your Eligibility

Ensure you meet all eligibility requirements, including professional experience, national recognition, and previous support from Pro Helvetia.

Step 2: Develop Your Project

Prepare a clear artistic concept describing:

• The new musical work.
• Creative objectives.
• Production approach.
• Performance plans.
• Expected outcomes.

Step 3: Prepare Supporting Materials

Compile:

• Demo recordings.
• Project description.
• Production schedule.
• Promotion strategy.
• Team information.
• Label details (if applicable).

Step 4: Develop Your Budget

Prepare a realistic budget showing:

• Production costs.
• Professional fees.
• Co-funding contributions.
• Planned expenditure.

Step 5: Submit Your Application

Complete the official application and submit all required documentation according to programme guidelines.

Why These Grants Matter

Producing high-quality music requires significant creative and financial investment.

The Creation and Production Grants help artists:

• Develop new musical works.
• Improve production quality.
• Strengthen international visibility.
• Expand professional careers.
• Build sustainable creative practices.
• Promote Swiss music globally.
• Encourage artistic innovation.

The programme contributes to the continued growth of Switzerland’s contemporary music sector.

Common Application Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should avoid the following mistakes:

• Submitting incomplete project plans.
• Providing weak promotion strategies.
• Presenting unrealistic budgets.
• Failing to secure co-funding.
• Omitting demo recordings.
• Not demonstrating nationwide relevance.
• Ignoring fair remuneration requirements.

Well-planned projects with strong artistic and professional foundations are more likely to receive funding.

Tips for Preparing a Strong Application

To improve your application:

• Present a clear artistic vision.
• Include high-quality demo recordings.
• Develop realistic production timelines.
• Demonstrate strong national and international promotion plans.
• Highlight previous professional achievements.
• Show the strength of your creative team.
• Explain how the project will contribute to your long-term artistic development.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who can apply for the Creation and Production Grants?

Nationally established music professionals and bands from Switzerland working in eligible contemporary music genres may apply.

How much funding is available?

Projects may receive up to CHF 25,000, depending on the project’s size, production costs, and professional fees.

Which music genres are eligible?

The programme supports projects in pop, rock, jazz, electronic, experimental, global sounds, and hip-hop.

What types of projects can receive funding?

Funding supports new repertoire, recorded music productions, musical performances, and other professional music creation and production projects.

Is co-funding required?

Yes. Projects should receive appropriate financial support from public or private funding sources in addition to the requested grant.

What documents are required?

Applicants should submit a project description, artistic concept, implementation plan, demo recordings, promotion strategy, production schedule, information about collaborators, and label details where applicable.

What makes a competitive application?

Strong applications demonstrate artistic excellence, nationwide relevance, realistic production planning, professional partnerships, fair remuneration, secured co-funding, and clear national and international promotion strategies.

Conclusion

The Creation and Production Grants provide valuable financial support for established Swiss music professionals and bands seeking to create and produce innovative musical works. With funding of up to CHF 25,000, the programme encourages artistic excellence, professional production, and international promotion while strengthening Switzerland’s contemporary music sector and supporting sustainable careers for professional musicians.