CFPs: Grant for Production with Presentation (Switzerland)

Deadline: 01-Sep-2026

The Swiss Arts Council provides a production grant to support professional artists, photographers, and architects creating new works for their first public presentation in exhibition settings. The grant supports innovative artistic projects that demonstrate high artistic quality, originality, feasibility, and relevance within the Swiss and international art landscape.

Eligible applicants can receive up to CHF 25,000 toward production costs for new works. Applicants must have a professional connection to Switzerland, an established exhibition record, and a project that is independently co-financed and presented under appropriate working conditions.

Overview of the Swiss Arts Council Visual Arts Production Grant

The Swiss Arts Council Visual Arts Production Grant supports the creation of new artistic works that are intended for their first public presentation.

The programme focuses on:

• Supporting professional artistic production.
• Encouraging innovative and original creative work.
• Strengthening Switzerland’s visual arts ecosystem.
• Helping artists develop significant new projects.
• Promoting sustainable and fair artistic practices.

The grant is designed for artists who are ready to present new work publicly through exhibitions or comparable professional contexts.

Purpose of the Grant Programme

The main purpose of the grant is to support the development and presentation of high-quality visual art projects.

The programme aims to:

• Enable artists to produce ambitious new works.
• Support artistic experimentation and innovation.
• Increase access to professional exhibition opportunities.
• Promote Swiss artistic excellence.
• Encourage sustainable and ethical production practices.

The funding prioritizes projects that contribute meaningfully to an artist’s career development and have broader relevance within Switzerland.

Who Is Eligible?

The grant is open to professional artists, photographers, and architects who meet specific eligibility requirements.

Applicants must:

• Be professional practitioners in visual arts, photography, or architecture.
• Have a connection to Switzerland.
• Have professional exhibition experience.
• Present a new work intended for first-time public presentation.

Connection to Switzerland Requirements

Applicants must demonstrate a connection to Switzerland through one or more of the following:

• Swiss citizenship.
• Residence in Switzerland.
• Artistic activity or project involvement with Swiss-based institutions.

Applicants do not necessarily need to be currently based in Switzerland if they demonstrate a qualifying professional connection.

Professional Experience Requirements

Applicants must demonstrate an established professional practice.

Required experience includes:

• A proven exhibition history.
• Presentations beyond their own local region.
• National or international exhibition experience.
• Evidence of professional artistic development.

The programme is intended for established artists rather than students or individuals completing academic training.

Eligible Projects

The grant supports new artistic productions created for first-time public presentation.

Eligible projects may include:

• New visual artworks.
• Photography projects.
• Architectural artistic works.
• Exhibition-based artistic productions.
• Original creative projects developed for public presentation.

Projects must:

• Be new works.
• Have a confirmed presentation context.
• Be independently co-financed.
• Demonstrate artistic significance.

Project Presentation Requirements

Supported works must be intended for:

• First-time public presentation.
• Exhibition settings.
• Professional cultural contexts.

The presentation should have relevance beyond a purely local context and demonstrate importance within Switzerland’s artistic landscape.

Projects Not Eligible

The grant does not support:

• Academic training projects.
• Student works.
• Projects that are part of educational programmes.
• Existing works that have already been publicly presented.
• Institutional infrastructure costs.
• General operational costs of presenting institutions.

Funding Amount and Financial Support

The grant provides:

• Maximum funding amount: CHF 25,000.
• Purpose: Production costs for new artistic works.

Funding must be combined with additional financial support from other sources.

Additional funding may come from:

• Public funding bodies.
• Private sponsors.
• Cultural institutions.
• Other project partners.

The grant does not fully finance the entire project budget.

What Costs Are Supported?

The grant primarily supports costs directly related to producing new artistic work.

Eligible expenses may include:

• Materials.
• Production expenses.
• Fabrication costs.
• Artistic development costs.
• Other direct production-related expenses.

The funding does not cover:

• Institutional infrastructure.
• Permanent operational expenses.
• General administrative costs of hosting organisations.

Application Requirements

Applicants must submit documents demonstrating their artistic practice and project plan.

Required materials include:

Project Description

Applicants must provide a detailed explanation of the proposed work, including:

• Artistic concept.
• Objectives.
• Production plan.
• Presentation context.
• Project relevance.

Budget

Applicants must provide:

• Total project budget.
• Production costs.
• Other funding sources.
• Requested grant amount.

The budget should demonstrate realistic financial planning.

Portfolio

Applicants must submit a portfolio showing:

• Previous artistic work.
• Professional achievements.
• Exhibition documentation.
• Artistic development.

Curriculum Vitae

The CV should include:

• Professional background.
• Exhibition history.
• Relevant artistic experience.
• Career milestones.

Invitation Letter

Applicants must provide confirmation of the planned presentation.

The invitation letter should verify:

• Exhibition opportunity.
• Presentation venue or institution.
• Context of the first public presentation.

How to Apply

The application process involves several steps:

Step 1: Develop the Artistic Project

Applicants should prepare a clear concept for a new work that demonstrates:

• Artistic originality.
• Professional ambition.
• Public presentation potential.

Step 2: Confirm Presentation Context

Applicants should secure a presentation opportunity and obtain confirmation from the hosting institution.

Step 3: Prepare Application Documents

Applicants should compile:

• Project description.
• Budget.
• Portfolio.
• CV.
• Invitation letter.

Step 4: Submit the Application

Applications must be submitted according to the Swiss Arts Council’s official application process.

Applicants should ensure:

• All documents are complete.
• Budget information is accurate.
• Eligibility requirements are met.

Step 5: Jury Assessment

Applications are reviewed by a professional jury based on artistic and practical criteria.

Selection Criteria

Applications are evaluated according to several factors.

The jury considers:

Artistic Quality and Originality

The project should demonstrate:

• Strong artistic vision.
• Creative innovation.
• Original contribution to contemporary practice.

Feasibility

Reviewers assess:

• Realistic project planning.
• Budget accuracy.
• Ability to complete the work successfully.

Relevance of Presentation Context

The jury considers:

• Importance of the exhibition opportunity.
• Quality of the presentation setting.
• Public and artistic relevance.

Contribution to Artistic Development

Projects should demonstrate:

• Importance for the applicant’s career.
• Potential for artistic growth.
• Advancement of creative practice.

National Relevance

Projects should show significance within Switzerland’s artistic environment.

The jury considers whether the work contributes to:

• Swiss cultural development.
• National visibility.
• Broader artistic conversations.

Fair Working Conditions and Sustainability

Applications should demonstrate commitment to:

• Fair compensation practices.
• Ethical production methods.
• Sustainable approaches.
• Responsible use of resources.

Why This Grant Matters

Creating new artistic works often requires significant financial resources, especially for ambitious exhibition projects.

The Swiss Arts Council grant helps artists by:

• Reducing production barriers.
• Supporting artistic innovation.
• Encouraging professional growth.
• Strengthening Switzerland’s cultural sector.
• Increasing opportunities for public engagement with contemporary art.

The programme recognizes the importance of investing in artists who contribute to cultural development and creative exchange.

Tips for a Strong Application

Applicants can improve their proposals by:

• Clearly explaining the artistic vision.
• Demonstrating why the project is original.
• Providing a realistic production timeline.
• Including a detailed and accurate budget.
• Showing professional exhibition experience.
• Explaining the importance of the presentation context.
• Highlighting sustainability and fair working practices.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should avoid:

• Applying with projects that have already been publicly presented.
• Submitting incomplete documentation.
• Providing unclear budgets.
• Failing to demonstrate Swiss connection requirements.
• Applying with academic or student projects.
• Ignoring co-financing requirements.
• Choosing a presentation context without sufficient professional relevance.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the Swiss Arts Council Visual Arts Production Grant?

The Swiss Arts Council Visual Arts Production Grant supports professional artists, photographers, and architects creating new works for their first public presentation in exhibition settings.

How much funding is available?

Selected applicants can receive up to CHF 25,000 for production costs.

Who can apply for the grant?

Professional artists, photographers, and architects with a connection to Switzerland and a proven exhibition record can apply.

Can students apply for this grant?

No. Projects that are part of academic training or educational programmes are not eligible.

What type of projects are supported?

The grant supports new artistic works intended for first-time public presentation in exhibitions or professional cultural settings.

What documents are required for the application?

Applicants must submit a project description, budget, portfolio, CV with exhibition history, and an invitation letter confirming the planned presentation.

Does the grant cover all project costs?

No. The funding must be combined with other public or private sources and does not cover institutional infrastructure or operational costs.

How are applications evaluated?

Applications are assessed by a jury based on artistic quality, originality, feasibility, professional experience, presentation relevance, sustainability, diversity, and fair working conditions.

Conclusion

The Swiss Arts Council Visual Arts Production Grant provides important support for professional artists, photographers, and architects developing new works for first-time public presentation. By funding innovative artistic production and encouraging sustainable, fair, and high-quality practices, the programme strengthens Switzerland’s visual arts landscape.

Artists with ambitious new projects, strong professional records, and meaningful exhibition opportunities can use this grant to advance their creative practice and bring significant new works to public audiences.

For more information, visit Pro Helvetia.