Switzerland Residency Programme 2026: Fully Supported Creative Residency in Switzerland

The Switzerland Residency Programme 2026 by Pro Helvetia offers up to three-month residencies in Switzerland for eligible professional artists and cultural practitioners from selected regions. The programme provides accommodation, travel costs, daily allowances, networking support and other assistance to help practitioners develop artistic projects, research ideas and international collaborations.

The Pro Helvetia Residency in Switzerland is designed to promote international cultural exchange by bringing professional artists and cultural practitioners from selected regions to Switzerland for residencies of up to three months.

The programme is intended for practitioners who have no existing connection to Switzerland and who are actively engaged in their respective cultural scenes. Applicants can apply individually or as an artist duo.

The residency provides an opportunity to develop an artistic project or research idea while gaining insight into Switzerland’s cultural environment and building professional connections with local cultural practitioners and institutions.

Pro Helvetia states that applicants should demonstrate a strong professional interest in their selected destination and propose work that can deepen exchange between Switzerland and their country of residence.

Programme Benefits

Selected residents can receive substantial support for the duration of their residency.

The financial contribution may include:

Accommodation in Switzerland
Travel costs
Daily allowances
A cultural professional serving as a local coach
Workstation support, where requested
Contribution toward production or material costs, where requested

Artists and cultural practitioners with childcare responsibilities may additionally apply for financial support of up to CHF 1,000 per month toward childcare costs or travel expenses for children and, where necessary, a caregiver. Applicants must provide a budget covering the anticipated expenses.

The programme therefore combines financial assistance with professional networking and access to the local cultural environment.

Who Can Apply?

Eligibility

The programme is aimed at professional artists and cultural practitioners from countries within the areas covered by Pro Helvetia’s liaison offices.

Eligible regions listed by Pro Helvetia include:

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

Applicants must have permanent residence in one of the eligible regions and demonstrate active participation in the relevant cultural scene.

Pro Helvetia’s residency guidance also confirms that there is no age limit, while emerging artists can be eligible where they demonstrate artistic activity with national or cross-regional reach.

Artist duos are permitted to apply, with one application submitted for the duo.

Professional Experience

Applicants are expected to have a comprehensive portfolio and a proven record of professional activity in their artistic or cultural field.

The application should demonstrate:

A strong professional track record
Active involvement in the applicant’s cultural scene
A clear reason for choosing the Swiss destination
A suitable artistic or research proposal
An interest in professional networking and cultural exchange

Fields and Disciplines

The programme supports artists and cultural practitioners working in disciplines covered by Pro Helvetia.

Current residency guidance identifies areas including design and game design, literature, music and podcasts, performing arts, visual arts including architecture and photography, as well as transdisciplinary practice.

The key requirement is not simply participation in an artistic discipline but having a convincing professional portfolio demonstrating meaningful activity in the field.

Application Requirements

Applicants must prepare their submission in English.

The required application materials include:

Project Proposal

Applicants should provide a title and brief description of the proposed artistic project or research idea.

Motivation

The application should explain why the selected Swiss destination is professionally relevant and how the residency can contribute to the applicant’s artistic practice.

Residency Preferences

Applicants should indicate their preferred length of stay and chosen destination.

CV and Portfolio

A current CV and comprehensive artistic portfolio are required to demonstrate professional experience and previous work.

Applicants should also have sufficient knowledge of English or one of the Swiss national languages to communicate effectively during the residency.

Important Exclusions

The programme has specific restrictions.

Artists and cultural practitioners from countries outside the regions covered by Pro Helvetia’s liaison offices are not eligible.

Students are also not eligible. Pro Helvetia’s FAQ explains that applicants enrolled in school or university should first complete their studies and develop a substantial body of professional work before applying.

The programme is therefore intended for professional cultural practitioners rather than students seeking an academic study-abroad opportunity.

Application Deadline

The information supplied for the programme states that applications can be submitted from 1 January, with a submission deadline of 1 March at 23:59 CET.

Applicants are notified of the decision within four months, while the earliest project start date is listed as the following year.

For applicants planning ahead, this means the residency application cycle should be treated as an annual opportunity, with the relevant year’s deadline checked carefully on the official Pro Helvetia website.

The Pro Helvetia website also currently features information concerning Residencies 2027, confirming that the programme operates on an annual cycle.

Additional Information

A residency can last for up to three months, depending on the approved proposal and arrangements with the partner institution.

Successful applicants are expected to use the residency to deepen their artistic practice, conduct research, develop projects and build connections with professionals in Switzerland.

The local cultural coach is particularly important because the programme is designed not only as a place to work but also as an opportunity for professional exchange and networking.

Applicants requiring a visa should also be aware that Pro Helvetia does not guarantee visa approval. Visa decisions remain with the relevant authorities.

The programme is best suited to professional practitioners who can clearly explain why Switzerland is strategically important to their work and how the proposed project could strengthen cultural exchange between Switzerland and their home context.

How to Apply

Applications are submitted through the official Pro Helvetia application system during the designated application period.

Applicants should prepare their project proposal, motivation statement, CV and portfolio before submitting the application. All application materials must be provided in English according to the supplied programme information.

The strongest applications will clearly connect the proposed residency with the applicant’s existing artistic practice, professional development and opportunities for exchange with Switzerland.

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