Shifting Places

Shifting Places supported artists from war-torn countries to continue their artistic practice by connecting them with the Swiss cultural scene.

IN SHORT

  • 2021-2024 (pilot project, inspiring Here ! Am)
  • Directed at artists who have immigrated to Switzerland
  • Developed in cooperation with Zurich University of the Arts; implemented in partnership with other Swiss art schools and cultural venues as well as with artists with migration experience. 

 

What was Shifting Places?

Artists and cultural practitioners in zones of armed conflict often find the working conditions on site have become hard, sometimes life-threatening, forcing many of them to leave their countries. Shifting Places gave cultural professionals the opportunity to pursue their practice in Switzerland. It was built around three pillars of artistic work and careers:

  • MEET! supported the first steps for artists who have fled to Switzerland to discover the Swiss cultural landscape. It offered both digital and physical opportunities to network and exchange with peers and other cultural practitioners.  
  • WORK! enabled refugee artists to solidify their connections in Switzerland and to start working within the new environment by offering internships, residencies or fellowships at cultural venues.
  • SHARE! was aimed at artists from war zones who cannot or do not want to leave their countries. It offered digital spaces for these cultural practitioners to develop and share their artistic work in Switzerland.  

Why was Shifting Places important?

Shifting Places opened up perspectives to work for particularly vulnerable artists. But above all, it provided space for these artists to resume their artistic practice, often after a long period of interruption. The project allowed them to express themselves again and make their voices and stories heard in Switzerland – introducing their perspectives to and fostering understanding amongst Swiss audiences. Developed as a response to the war in Ukraine, Shifting Places intended to include cultural practitioners from all other regions affected by armed conflict.  

Together with the research project Here We Are, Shifting Places laid the foundation for one of artlink’s current core programmes, Here ! Am, aimed at supporting all artists who have migrated to Switzerland.

→ Discover Here ! Am