Open Call for Translation and Surtitling Support (Switzerland)

Pro Helvetia – Swiss Arts Council is Switzerland’s national foundation supporting contemporary arts and culture. It promotes artistic creation, cultural exchange and the international visibility of Swiss artists and cultural practitioners. Pro Helvetia supports projects across areas including performing arts, music, literature, visual arts, design and interdisciplinary practices. Through its international activities, the organisation helps Swiss artistic productions connect with audiences, institutions and cultural networks abroad. Its funding programmes can support touring, guest performances, artistic exchange and other activities that strengthen the international circulation of Swiss cultural work. This opportunity specifically supports language-related requirements that help Swiss performing arts productions reach audiences in different linguistic contexts.

The Pro Helvetia Translation and Surtitling Support programme helps Swiss performing arts companies and artists overcome language barriers when presenting productions internationally. Funding can support the translation of performance texts and provide up to CHF 2,000 for surtitling or adaptation work. The support is connected to an eligible guest performance supported by Pro Helvetia. Applicants should explain the production, performance location and date, translation requirements, character count, estimated costs and expected international value. The programme can help theatre and other performing arts productions become more accessible to audiences speaking different languages. Applications can be submitted throughout the year and may be coordinated with the related guest performance application.