Pro Helvetia Residency Programme for Artists and Cultural Practitioners (Fully Funded)

The Pro Helvetia Residency Programme offers artists and cultural practitioners the opportunity to spend up to three months immersed in a new cultural and artistic environment. Designed to support artistic exchange, research, and reflection, the programme creates space for new ideas, collaborations, and long-term professional connections to emerge.

Residencies focus on time, space, and process, rather than production outcomes. While some residencies may include public presentations or open studios, others are intentionally open-ended, prioritising research and artistic development.

Residency Call Timeline

• Applications open: 1 January
• Application deadline: 1 March (23:59 CET)
• Selection results: Finalised by July
• Residency period: Takes place the following year

The call for residencies in Switzerland and in the regions of Pro Helvetia’s liaison offices is issued once per year.

Who Can Apply?

The programme is open to artists and cultural practitioners, including individuals and artist duos, working in any discipline supported by Pro Helvetia.

Eligible Applicants Include:

• Artists based in Switzerland
  Eligible to apply for residencies in the regions covered by Pro Helvetia’s liaison offices.
• Artists based in regions covered by Pro Helvetia’s liaison offices
  Eligible to apply for a residency in Switzerland.

A full list of eligible countries and regions is available on Pro Helvetia’s official website.

Residency Locations

For Artists with a Connection to Switzerland:

Residencies are available in the following regions:

• Arab region
• East Asia
• South America
• South Asia and Vietnam
• West, Central, East and Southern Africa

For Artists Based in Liaison Office Regions:

• Residency in Switzerland

What the Residency Covers

The Pro Helvetia Residency Programme provides comprehensive support to enable meaningful artistic exchange.

Financial and Professional Support Includes:

• Accommodation
• Travel costs
• Daily living allowances
• Professional guidance from a local cultural coach
• Access to a workstation (upon request)
• Contribution towards production or material costs (upon request)

The programme is designed primarily to support exchange, research, and artistic processes, rather than the creation of finished works.

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Childcare Support

Artists with childcare responsibilities may apply for additional financial support of up to CHF 1,000 per month. This contribution may be used for:

• Childcare expenses
• Travel costs for children
• Travel and support costs for a caregiver, if required

This support also applies if children remain at home during the residency. Applicants must submit a detailed budget in advance.

Selection Criteria

Applications are assessed based on:

• Demonstrated professional interest in the selected destination
• Relevance of the destination to the applicant’s artistic practice
• A clear proposal for an artistic project or research idea that strengthens cultural exchange
• Interest in engaging with the local cultural field
• Sufficient knowledge of English or the language(s) of the destination

General Pro Helvetia eligibility and assessment requirements also apply.

Application Requirements

Applicants must submit the following in English:

• Title and short description of the proposed project
• Motivation statement explaining interest in the destination
• Preferred residency length and selected destination
• CV
• Portfolio

Applicants may submit up to two applications for residencies in liaison office regions, provided each proposal is distinct. Only one application may be approved per call.

Important Notes

• Pro Helvetia does not guarantee visa approvals for artists, accompanying family members, or caregivers.
• Decisions are made according to Pro Helvetia’s standard evaluation process unless stated otherwise.
• Notifications are issued within four months of the submission deadline.
• The earliest possible residency start date is the following year.

Learn More

Additional information about residency partners, regional guides, FAQs, and the full partner network is available on the official Pro Helvetia residency programme webpage.