South Culture Fund
- Projects & Grants
- 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.
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
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 (Non-EU countries) – 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 throughout the year.
- 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.
➜ TO APPLY: Please go to the South Culture Fund website. You will find detailed information about eligibility criteria and the application form for Swiss-based cultural organisers planning to host guest performances or exhibitions by artists from Africa, Asia, Latin America or Eastern Europe (Ongoing Grants). Current open calls are also published on the SCF webpage.
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, sparks dialogue and strengthens social cohesion in Switzerland, far beyond the cultural sector.
Discover in this video how in the open call 'Incubator', artists from around the world came to together to create inspiring workshops about globally relevant topics.