Pro Helvetia is Switzerland’s national arts council, supporting contemporary Swiss arts and culture at home and especially abroad. It typically backs artists, cultural organizations, festivals, and collaborative projects that promote artistic exchange, experimentation, and international visibility across disciplines such as visual arts, performing arts, literature, music, design, and digital culture. The funder is distinctive for its strong emphasis on cross-border circulation, residency, and project-based support rather than general operating grants.
Focus Areas
Contemporary Arts and CultureInternational Cultural ExchangePerforming Arts and TheatreLiterature and TranslationMusic and Sound ArtsDesign and Digital Culture
Giving Approach
Primarily project-based and program-specific support, often through open calls, residencies, and exchange programs; generally focused on defined artistic initiatives rather than unrestricted core funding. Grants tend to support individual artists, collectives, festivals, and institutions with clear international or intercultural impact.
How to approach this funder
Check the relevant program page carefully, as eligibility and deadlines vary by art form and geography. Applicants should present a clearly defined artistic concept, demonstrate Swiss relevance or international exchange value, and apply through Pro Helvetia’s formal grant or program application process rather than expecting unsolicited general support.
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Trusted by mission-driven teams at organizations nationwide
Notable grantees:
• Swiss artists and collectives
• International festival and residency partners
• Literature translation and exchange programs
• Visual arts and contemporary performance organizations
Open Grant Opportunities
Current and upcoming funding from Pro Helvetia that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Open nowAward: Up to $50K
Design support measures
designgame designprofessional development+3 more
Who can apply: Aimed generally at design professionals; certain measures are restricted to professional designers whose design-relevant training or registration dates back less than seven years. Applications in design are generally submitted by a self-employed individual, sole proprietorship, or a company registered for no more than seven years, subject to other criteria.
Deadline: Biannual calls for work grants; annual call for delegations; specific deadlines vary by measure.
Who can apply: Aimed at professional artists and event organisers presenting Swiss music; support is for present-day music and generally excludes historical repertoire and instrument purchases.
Deadline: Some measures have annual deadlines on 1 March and 1 September; other deadlines vary by measure.
Who can apply: Aimed at literary professionals who are active as creators and/or performers, as well as publishers with professional structures and cross-regional appeal and event organisers with curated programmes and cross-regional appeal.
Deadline: Deadlines vary by measure; specific deadlines are not listed in the scraped content.
Who can apply: Aimed at professional artists, including independent companies and institutions. Pro Helvetia supports artists working in Switzerland regardless of nationality if they are active in the Swiss cultural scene.
Deadline: Deadlines vary by measure; specific deadlines are not listed in the scraped content.
Who can apply: Aimed at professional artists, institutions, event organisers and publishers presenting or contextualising artistic work; commercial galleries and private collections are generally ineligible except for specified art fair-related support.
Deadline: Half-yearly calls for production contributions and focus photo; deadlines vary by measure.
Who can apply: Artists and cultural practitioners based in Switzerland or in the regions covered by the liaison offices may apply, provided they are active in disciplines supported by Pro Helvetia. The call is open once a year from 1 January to 1 March.
Deadline: Open once a year from 1 January to 1 March.
Deadlines and eligibility are summarized from public sources and may change — always confirm the details on the funder's official application page before applying.