Financial support for the development of artistic ideas
Diffusion follows the artistic creative phases of ideation and production. This is when the artistic works find their way to the public. Migros Culture Percentage of the Federation of Migros Cooperatives gives funding priority to innovative diffusion concepts and pilot projects.
Cornerstone for quality
The ideation phase does not culminate in an artistic product. It is more about generating findings and concepts that prepare the way for a high-quality process of artistic production that follows next.
New funding opportunity
By supporting ideation the Migros Culture Percentage creates fresh opportunities, because currently only very limited funding is available for creative artists in Switzerland in this early phase. Our involvement enables creative artists in a variety of fields to follow up their ideas even if the specific outcome is still unclear. That is why we provide substantial financial support for ideation ventures.
Important links / downloads
You will receive a written reply to your application approx. 2-3 months after its submission. Application is possible in German and French.
FAQ
The visual arts, comics, digital culture, film, jazz, classical music, cabaret, literature, pop, dance, theatre as well as multidisciplinary projects; all other areas (e.g. photography) can be supported only in conjunction with another area that we support (as part of a multidisciplinary project). We give priority to ventures that are innovative, have a pilot function, take artistic risks and adopt new approaches to methods of working.
Applications for funding for productions can be submitted regionally to the respective Migros Cooperatives.
MGB’s Migros Culture Percentage can provide no guarantee of funding for more than a year at a time. Applications may be submitted annually for recurring projects such as festivals; they are reassessed each time as part of our support for diffusion.
Ideation projects are often regional in origin; we predominantly support ventures that have the prospect of achieving nationwide significance after the ideation phase.
There are no application deadlines for the ideation and diffusion areas; applications may be submitted at any time. However, the project in question must not have finished at the time the application is submitted. For diffusion projects, the rule also applies that its implementation must not be due to start within four months of submitting the application. Calls for bids are subject to application deadlines that are announced on the website for each individual call for bids.
Once an application has been submitted it is regarded as completed. Please do not send us any additional details.
In the areas of ideation and diffusion, you will receive a decision within two to three months. Notice of acceptance or rejection will be sent by e-mail.
The Migros Culture Percentage of the Federation of Migros Cooperatives wants to be accommodating in helping to protect the livelihoods of creative artists. Sums already paid out for events that are cancelled or postponed will not be claimed back.
No. Once an application has been rejected it will not be reconsidered.
Please indicate only the budget for your project’s ideation or diffusion phase on the application form. You are also welcome to present an overall budget in the dossier.
Ideation support is not available for the following areas
- Production costs (applies to all areas)
- Projects that have already been completed
- Infrastructure and running costs
- Deficit guarantees
- Institutions outside Switzerland
- Performances outside Switzerland
- Translations
- Lay culture
- Commercial projects
- Commissions
- Projects of a regional character (except for pilot projects)
- Charity events
- Private and benefit events
- Fundraising campaigns
- Purchases of musical instruments or museum exhibits
- The installation of Art in Architecture
- Projects by schools, technical colleges or universities
- Projects related to scientific research
- Didactic projects
- Stipend requests
- Monograph projects
- Non-contemporary strands in all areas (except for classical music)
- Services to be provided under subsidy contracts
- Area-specific ventures in the fields of photography, design and architecture (where no other areas are involved)
The Migros Culture Percentage wants to make substantial funding available to support the ventures of its applicants. The Migros Culture Percentage does not specify any minimum or maximum amount. Substantial means the sum in question will play a significant part in the venture being designed or realised as envisaged. Funding that we award for ideation or diffusion is based exclusively on the budget for that particular phase, not on the overall budget for a venture. Our calls for bids refer to overall budgets.
Yes
No. Foreign nationals resident in Switzerland can also request support for their projects. The projects submitted must actively contribute to cultural life in Switzerland and be realised here.
Yes, the final report is mandatory. Please retain our letter of confirmation, which indicates the evaluation date. Approximately three weeks before this date, you will receive an e-mail request to complete the evaluation report in the application portal. Please do not send us any final reports by mail or e-mail.
