South Culture Fund

A bridge between Switzerland’s cultural scene and the world: The South Culture Fund supports productions and events in Switzerland by and with artists from Africa, Asia, Latin America and Eastern Europe. 

WHAT IS THE SOUTH CULTURE FUND?

The South Culture Fund finances guest performances and residencies in Switzerland by cultural practitioners from Africa, Asia, Latin America and Eastern Europe – regions where artists often have limited access to international networks and funding schemes. It also provides other opportunities for exchange and collaboration for these cultural practitioners. The fund is financed by the SDC and managed by artlink. It consists of two grant schemes:

  • Ongoing Grants: This funding scheme enables venues and museums in Switzerland to invite artists from the above-mentioned regions by contributing towards travel and other related costs. Applications can be submitted on an ongoing basis.
  • Open Calls: These targeted calls for proposals focus on different thematic, regional or disciplinary priorities and are aimed directly at artists in their respective regions. Current open calls are published on the South Culture Fund website. 
     

IN SHORT

  • Mandate by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC)
  • Since 2007 (based on the South Fund, established in 1991)
  • Directed at organisers/ venues in Switzerland; artists and organisers/venues in Africa, Asia, Latin America and Eastern Europe

WHY IS THE SOUTH CULTURE FUND IMPORTANT?

Cultural practitioners from Africa, Asia, Latin America and Eastern Europe gain income opportunities and access to European funding programmes. In this way, the fund contributes to reducing global inequalities in the cultural sector. 

Each year, around 450 projects by artists from approximately 50 countries come to Switzerland through the fund. They enrich the country with a wide range of stories, perspectives and voices. The fund not only fosters long-term working relationships between cultural practitioners and organisations across continents; it also creates spaces for exchange, dialogue and social cohesion in Switzerland. Its impact thus extends far beyond the cultural sector. 

HOW TO APPLY

Are you a cultural organiser based in Switzerland planning to host a guest performance or exhibition featuring artists from Africa, Asia, Latin America or Eastern Europe (from non-EU countries)? Please find all information about eligibility criteria, eligible countries of origin and the application form on the website of the South Culture Fund. 
 

Take a look at the results from the Open Call 'Incubator'.

A selection of past open calls


INCUBATOR (2023/2024) 

In the ‘Incubator’ open call, six cultural practitioners from around the world developed a workshop each on topics such as food security, migration, Indigenous and Afro-Caribbean creation philosophies, gender equality and climate protection. Through this process, they strengthened their skills in designing, delivering and facilitating engaging digital and in-person workshops. 


AIRTIME! (2022)

From the sounds of Cape Town's Vogue and Ballroom scene to a Nepalese folk tale told through music: ten musicians and sound artists each created a radio programme as part of the 'airtime!' open call, which was broadcast by the partner stations Radio X (Basel), Radio RaBe (Bern), Radio3Fach (Lucerne), Kanal K (Aarau), and Radio Gwendalyn (Chiasso). During the pandemic, 'airtime!' enabled musicians from Africa, Asia, Latin America, and Eastern Europe to present their music in Switzerland despite international travel restrictions.