CULTURESCAPES 2021-2023

Art and culture are important means of expression with a potential of reflection, interaction and social change. Therefore, an independent, diverse and participatory cultural sector plays an important role for the freedom of expression and diversity of opinion in society.

Artists from Asia, Africa, Latin America and Eastern Europe have difficult access to the Swiss or international market and professional networks. However, this access not only strengthens individual artists, but also the cultural scene in their countries.

SDC engages, on the basis of its "Culture and Development Policy', in supporting art and culture as contribution to the implementation of the UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions (2005).

Artists from the Amazon and Sahara regions gain facilitated access to the Swiss and international public, market and professional networks.

Additionally, the artists can contribute their views on global issues, which are relevant to their region in an international context. Thus, relevant topics for the regions, such as climate change, water resources, migration, etc., can be brought to the attention of the Swiss audience through art and culture.

Risultati principali attesi:  

More than 100 artists from the region travel to Europe or/and are presented on CULTURESCAPES online platform;

Up to 100 events with artists from the region in CH (of a total of 150 events);

Artists from the region make up to 50% of the overall single projects (commissioned new projects/productions, co-produced projects), which makes approximately 50 single projects;

Events in all linguistic regions of Switzerland, with a focus on Basel. 40'000 to 50'000 festival visitors

A new digital platform, which will expand the geographic and quantitative reach (approximately 7-10,000 visitors).

Risultati fasi precedenti:  

The present proposal is the first phase of the project CULTUESCAPES with its new strategic focus on regions and global issues.

However, the SDC has supported several editions of the CULTURESCAPES festival in the past. The last SDC contribution took place in a unique phase in 2013, when the festival focused on the Western Balkans. The CULTURESCAPES festival in 2013 has shown the following results: over 20,000 people attended more than 260 events in Switzerland, with the participation of 361 artists from the countries of the Western Balkans.

Fase 1 01.12.2020 - 31.12.2023   (Completed)