Here ! Am
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- Here ! Am
Here! Am offers opportunities and services to support artists with refugee and migration experience who have recently relocated to Switzerland. Here ! Am encourages these artists to pick up on their artistic career as fast as possible. They enrich Switzerland in terms of divers aesthetic, cultural, political and social perspectives.
WHY HERE ! AM?
With Here ! Am artlink aims to...
- increase the participation of artists with migration experience in the cultural landscape of Switzerland (e.g. in cultural productions, expert commissions, juries, boards, etc.) and expand their fields of opportunities
- strengthen cultural management and network competences of artists with migration experiences
- engage the local public with divers aesthetics and cultural perspectives
- raise awareness within the cultural landscape of Switzerland to the needs and production realities of artists with migration experience
WHO IS HERE ! AM FOR?
Are you a professional artist? Did you recently relocate to Switzerland? Is it a challenge for you to decode the local cultural landscape? Are you not sure how to realise your projects or how to find access to a professional network?
Then Here ! Am is for you!
WHO DOES HERE ! AM PARTNER UP WITH?
Here ! Am regularly partners up with different cultural organisations in Switzerland. Current partners include: artFAQ Zürich, Bureau des Compagnies Geneva, Kompass Bern, KulturHub Basel, Helvetiarockt
Check out our different opportunities and join Here ! Am now!
CONNECT! offers you the opportunity to meet and exchange with peer artists and to network with other stakeholders from the field of arts and cultures.
Events
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MEETING POINT #7: OPEN
Bee Flat, Bern15.12.2024 | 18:00JOIN THE MEETING POINTJoin us for a shared meal and the concert by Dandara Modesto & Edwin Correia at Bee Flat/Turnhalle, Progr, Bern.
Two young musicians, singer & multidisciplinary artist Dandara Modesto (BR/CH) and guitarist & composer Edwin Correia (FR/BR) will play contemporary Brazilian music.
Learn about the concert and Bee Flat:
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MEETING POINT #6: CLOSED
Les Creatives, Geneve25.11.2024 | 17:00JOIN THE MEETING POINTartlink and Helvetiarockt are jointly organizing an informal exchange and networking round on 25th of November 2024 with a walk to Les Creatives Festival, an aperitif at the venue and then listening to music together.
Learn more about the festival: -
MEETING POINT #5: CLOSED
Jungkusnt, Winterthur26.10.2024 | 11:30JOIN THE MEETING POINTJoin us for a shared meal and the 18th Jungkunst Festival in Winterthur.
Jungkunst is a four-day exhibition presenting works by young Swiss artists from all styles: from painting and photography to objects, street art, video, installations, performances and everything in between. Concerts, culinary delights, theatre sports and dance make the exhibition a multifaceted art festival for art lovers and newcomers alike.
The old industrial hall becomes a place of enjoyment for a wide audience but also a springboard for artists' careers. Young artists from all over Switzerland show their works. Visitors can stroll between large-scale objects, moving images, photographs and small, delicate paintings.
Learn about more the festival:
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MEETING POINT #4: CLOSED
Neues Theater Dornach, Dornach29.08.2024 | 18:00JOIN THE MEETING POINTJoin us for a shared meal and the object theater and performance After All Springville by Miet Warlop (Belgium) at Neues Theater Dornach.
With After All Springville, a crazy theatre happening lands in Dornach. The protagonists: an elegant running table that wants nothing more than to be set, a man who wants to take out the rubbish, a frustrated fuse box, a smoking house and a very long pair of trousers. Together we experience big and small dramas with varying degrees of slapstick and disaster potential. With the lightness of a comic film, the performance tells the tragic story of a failed community. Director and visual artist Miet Warlop has been populating international stages for over 20 years with her absurdly colorful characters, vivid objects and spectacles of form and color.
After All Springville is a part of the Theaterfestival Basel programme. The Theaterfestival Basel takes place every two years and brings highlights from dance, theatre, performance and music.
Learn about the performance and the Theaterfestival Basel:
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MEETING POINT #3: CLOSED
Galerie Durchgang, Basel14.06.2024 | 16:30JOIN THE MEETING POINTJoin us for a shared meal and the panel discussion & networking in the frame of the "[W]Here Now" exhibition at the Galerie Durchgang organized by Afrinova as a part of HerirtageConcept24 program in Basel.
The "[W]Here Now" group exhibition is an interdisciplinary showcase by 11 African & diasporic artists exploring the theme of "living waters" as a symbol and vessel of our collective narratives, histories, and futures.
The international panel of invited creatives & experts will share their knowledge on the role of art & heritage. The panel will discuss the theme of Art X Community and the emergent modes of curation and artistic development derived from a community-centred approach.
HeritageConcept24 invites to experience Africa’s rich artistic heritage uniquely positioned at the intersection of an evolving community, creative industry and global dialogue. The innovative space taps into the interconnected culture of creativity & heritage through an interdisciplinary experience of exhibitions, art archival tours, panel talks and workshops during ArtBasel week.
Learn more about the exhibition and HeritageConcept24:
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MEETING POINT #2: CLOSED
Bad Bonn Kilbi, Düdingen30.05.2024 | 15:00JOIN THE MEETING POINTartlink and Helvetiarockt are jointly organizing an informal exchange and networking round on 30 May 2024 with a walk to the Bad Bonn Kilbi, an aperitif on the grounds and then listening to music together.
Learn more about the festival:
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MEETING POINT #1: CLOSED
Bühne Aarau, Aarau21.04.2024 | 18:30JOIN THE MEETING POINTJoin us for a shared meal and the music & dance performance The Spotlight by Astronata at Bühne Aarau.
Singer and performer Nata Smirina and musician and DJ Ilya Misyura have been living in Aarau for a year and a half. They fled the war in Ukraine. After a period of uncertainty and agony, they reinvented themselves with "The Spotlight". In their musical theater, they are looking for a way to regain their inner light when they have lost it.The Spotlight is an interactive stage performance that gets to the heart of the uncertainties of our media-influenced present with soulful electronic music, powerful images and touching texts - and makes it clear how important it is to adopt your own perspective on the path to inner light.
Learn about the performance and Bühne Aarau:
The artlink Directory is a digital gateway for artists, mostly from Africa, Latin America, Asia, and Eastern Europe living and working inside and outside of Switzerland.
The artlink Directory is for you! As an artist, it helps you:
- Showcase your work to relevant audiences
- Expand social and professional networks through a community of support
- Connect with peers and potential collaborators
- Keep in touch with contacts you may have met through artlink
- Gain access to professional development opportunities
How can I join the artlink Directory, you might ask? All you need to do is submit an application. Sign up today, it’s free!
LEARN! offers you digital workshops and physical exchanges to learn more about the funding landscape of Switzerland, your legal rights and must-do's as an artist working in Switzerland. LEARN! strengthens your entrepreneurial skills such as writing application and so on.
artFAQ is the production platform for dance, theatre and performance in the region of Zürich. artFAQ gathers and shares knowledge based on practical experience.
In the Bureau des Compagnies artists can come and ask questions, get advice and also meet other artists and build their network.
KOMPASS is a free advisory platform that supports artists in realising their visions and ideas. With this low-threshold offer, the contributors want to help as many artists as possible to put their plans into practice.
KulturHub answers all your questions about projects and budgets, the organisation of an association, submission deadlines, concept letters, and much more.
Events
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ONLINE WORKSHOP #1: Funding bodies for cultural projects in Switzerland
Online21.10.2024 | 17:00REGISTER FOR THE ONLINE WORKSHOP #1Join us for an online workshop on the topic:
Funding bodies for cultural projects in Switzerland. Who they are, where to find them and how to contact them.
As a federalist country, Switzerland has different funding bodies depending on the canton. The workshop shows which sponsors at federal, cantonal and municipal level, which private foundations and organizations can be approached for funding. Information will be provided on research techniques and tools as well as the use of tools and initial preparations for project submission.The workshops duration: 90 min
The language: German / English
Workshop leader: Marie Theres Langenstein, Kompass, Bern
Places in the group are limited.
Registration deadline: 6th of October 2024
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ONLINE WORKSHOP #2: How to prepare a dossier
Online04.11.2024 | 17:00REGISTER FOR THE ONLINE WORKSHOP #2Join us for an online workshop on the topic:
How to prepare a dossier.
A written concept is usually a prerequisite for project funding. But what criteria are used to assess this dossier, what can I look out for, how do I put my ideas on paper in a way that is easy to understand and how do I meet the requirements? We will use various techniques to find initial formulations together and encourage you to put your ideas on paper. In addition to formulating the concept, we will look at the other dossier components (budget, schedule, etc.). We will also focus on how you can make your dossier suitable for the recipient.
The workshops duration: 90 min
The language: German / EnglishWorkshop leader: Nani Khakshouri, artFAQ, Zürich
Places in the group are limited
Registration deadline: 13th of October 2024
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ONLINE WORKSHOP #3: Working in the cultural sector in Switzerland
Online18.11.2024 | 17:00REGISTER FOR THE ONLINE WORKSHOP #3Join us for an online workshop on the topic:
General information and administrative procedures for working in the cultural sector in Switzerland.
The Bureau des Compagnies offers an overview of the current Swiss administrative framework regarding of work permits, legal status, and social insurance: what are the general principles of Swiss policy in this area? What special features have been put in place for the cultural sector? This presentation will be illustrated with case studies, followed by a Q&A with a Geneva-based specialist who supports people in migration situations.The workshops duration: 90 min
The language: French / English
Workshop leader: Marc-Erwan Le Roux, Bureau de Compagnies, Geneva
Places in the group are limited
Registration deadline: 27th of October 2024
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ONLINE WORKSHOP #4: Art & administration
Online25.11.2024 | 17:00REGISTER FOR THE ONLINE WORKSHOP #4Join us for an online workshop on the topic:
Art & administration: How to navigate independent cultural projects in Switzerland.
Switzerland is a diverse and vibrant country, making it a fertile ground for cultural work. However, for young artists or those new to administrative processes, navigating this landscape can be challenging. Creating an association is beneficial as it provides a legal structure, facilitating project management and fundraising. Calculating fair salaries and building a budget are crucial; ensure your budget supports rather than hinders your work. Navigating author’s rights with SUISA/SSA is essential for protecting your creations. Securing the necessary insurances shields you from potential risks. Finally, networking is vital; it opens doors to collaboration, funding, and opportunities in the Swiss cultural scene.
The workshops duration: 90 min
The language: German / EnglishWorkshop leaders: Susanne Ernst, KulturHub, Birsfelden (Canton of Basel-Land) & Greta Krulyte, lawyer with a lot of experience in the cultural sector, particularly the visual arts.
Places in the group are limited.
Registration deadline: 4th of November 2024
WORK! is set up in partnership with various Swiss cultural institutions, offering opportunities to further develop your artistic practice and to present your work.
Events
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RESIDENCY #2: KULTURHAUS VILLA STRÄULI
Submission deadline17.11.2024LEARN MORE ABOUT KULTURHAUS VILLA STRÄULIHERE I AM @ KULTURHAUS VILLA STRÄULI
Here I Am Residency for cultural practitioners with migration & refugee experience who recently moved to Switzerland.
Founded in 1999, Villa Sträuli is an independent, non-profit contemporary art center in the city of Winterthur dedicated to supporting artistic practice, facilitating exchange and encouraging interdisciplinary work through an international Artist in Residence Programm, public programming and collaborations. It welcomes artists from all disciplines but also curators and art critics.
Villa Sträuli promotes artistic creation, experimentation, production, and dissemination of contemporary art. Our team of professionals is focused on developing strategies for collaboration and the integration of residents into various networks and platforms in the city of Winterthur and Zurich, as well as on finding opportunities for residents to anchor in new areas.Villa Sträuli's guiding objectives are to:
- Facilitate access to exchange, partnerships, resources and networks
- Nurture cross-disciplinary knowledge
- Enhance artists’ careers by providing them the opportunity to explore a new artistic context, market, community, and culture
- Develop strategies for collaboration and inclusion of residents in various national platforms, while building a network of practitioners and professionals in the field to new opportunities for collaboration in Zurich and beyond
- Build sustainable partnerships that support artists’s career path, development, and future international artistic activity.➜ Submission Deadline: 17.11.2024
➜ Residency duration: 08.01.- 05.04.2025
➜ To apply send your letter of motivation and your CV & portfolio in English or German to anastasia.alexandrova@artlink.ch
➜ The grant covers accommodation at one of three bright, renovated, and autonomous studios that are all provided with a living and working space, a small kitchen, a bedroom (double bed) plus shower/WC; per diems and travel expenses to/from the residency inside of Switzerland.
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RESIDENCY #1: CONNECT&CREATE @ WOERDZ & NEUBAD, LUZERN
Submission deadline30.06.2024LEARN MORE ABOUT WOERDTZ FESTIVAL & RESIDENCYCONNECT&CREATE - Residency for Exiled Spoken Word Artists
What is CONNECT&CREATE?
CONNECT&CREATE is a residency program by woerdz, Neubad Luzern and artlink. It gives exiled authors the opportunity to concentrate on their workin the studio apartment at Neubad Luzern from 30 September to 17 November 2024.
The spoken word festival woerdz takes place from 23 to 26 October 2024 and presents around 60 artists from the field of spoken word. It is the sixth edition of the festival. During the residency, woerdz and Neubad serve you as networking and presentation partners.
Who is CONNECT&CREATE for?
The residency program is for artists who left their home countries and are currently living in Switzerland in exile. In particular, the residency grant is reserved for authors from the field of spoken word, authors with a great interest in a performing their own texts or artists from other disciplines who are interested in staging their literature. For the stage and not thepage is our credo.➜ Submission Deadline: 30.06.2024
➜ Residency duration: 30.09.- 17.11.2024
➜ To apply send the following documents in English, German or French to residency@woerdz.ch: letter of motivation and a brief description of your current work, documentation of work including text samples or links to websites or videos, your CV.
➜ The grant includes: living in a studio flat at Neubad Lucerne, invitation to woerdz - The Spoken Word Festival in Lucerne (a performance at the festival is not guaranteed), free access to the cultural program at Neubad Lucerne, support from woerdz and Neubad Luzern staff (networking, organisation etc.), a flat-rate financial contribution for additional expenses during the residency (CHF 50 / day).
Events
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INTERNSHIP #1: MAXIM! THEATER, Zurich
Submission deadline18.09.2024MAXIM! THEATER➜ Submission Deadline: 18.9.2024
➜ Internship duration: 23.9.-30.11.2024
➜ Send your letter of motivation & a brief description of your current work situation; portfolio of theater & set-design works including photos, web-links and videos; CV in English / German to anastasia.alexandrova@artlink.ch
Please note: your application should not exceed seven A4 pages.
➜ Internship compensation includes a monthly honorarium and travel expenses inside of Switzerland.
HERE & TOGETHER: INTERNSHIP FOR THEATER MAKERS WITH MIGRATION EXPERIENCE IN ZURICH
Zurich-based MAXIM! Theater famous for its work with migrants and non-professionals, creating a vivid theater community over the years. In 2024-2025 its main production will be “Gleichzeit” - a performance based on the stories of migrants and non-professionals from all over the world. The production team of the piece also includes migrant artists of various backgrounds coming to Switzerland from Finland, France and Russia.
The premiere of the production will take place in Zurich on the 29th of November 2024.
Your work area:
● You will concentrate on the set-design of the production: either scenography or costumes or visual effects or the light or some of the above mentioned elements together.
● You will get to know the independent performing arts scene in Zurich and expand your network.
Your profile:
● You are an emerging artist or an established professional of migration background, currently based in Switzerland.
● You are familiar with the theater scene and design and help with the whole setting.
● You speak English or German.
● You are ready to be in Zurich at least once a week and available for online meetings, weekend rehearsals and final rehearsals on 21-28 of November 2024.