CULTURESCAPES - phasing out 2024-2025


The biennial festival CULTURESCAPES enables artists from and around the Sahara to perform and contribute to debates on specific topics relevant to the region, and to find new partners and networks. The festival takes place in several cantons of Switzerland in cooperation with various cuItural institutions. SDC’s contribution enables specific efforts regarding research, co-productions and gives artists visibility, skills and networks to benefit the cultural scene of their countries of origin.

Country/region Topic Period Budget
Global
Culture / development awareness
Culture & recreation
21.10.2024 - 31.12.2025
CHF  300’000
Background Culture is a human right and an important means of expression in society with a potential of reflection, interaction and social change. A vivid free culture scene is an important element for a society with freedom of expression as part of democratic participation. This is particularly relevant in view of increasingly repressive/authoritarian governments worldwide, with shrinking civic space. Artistic expression takes up themes that touch the public and trigger thinking. SDC supports art and culture as part of its development cooperation activities contributing to social cohesion and peace and contributes to the implementation of the UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions 2005.
Objectives The overarching goal of this partnership is to strengthen the diversity of artistic and cultural forms of expression, to promote artistic freedom and freedom of expression and to strengthen social cohesion and peaceful coexistence through independent, diverse and participatory cultural sectors in SDC partner countries.
Target groups Artists from and around the Sahara region of performing and visual arts, music, film and literature.
Medium-term outcomes

Outcome 1: Individual and local competences for artistic creation in partner countries are strengthened, income generated. New and high-quality projects and productions are realised

Outcome 2: Professional network expanded

Outcome 3: Voices, visibility and artistic creation of partner countries are strengthened. Freedom of expression and reflection on challenges and identity in partner countries promoted

Since the SDC wiII focus its portfolio to the field of film due to resource considerations, the partnership with CULTURESCAPES will be phased out by the end of 2025.

Results

Expected results:   Around 60 artists from partner countries performed and participated in artistic events and discussion platforms of the festival in all linguistic regions of Switzerland (around 3 exhibitions, 2-3 co-productions, up to 15 guest performances and commissioned works, approx. 10 concerts, 5 to 6 tours, 3-4 residencies, 5 workshops and masterclasses and book readings and presentations, 4 film screened, 5 artists presented on the digital platform).


Results from previous phases:  

  • 74’540 festival visitors attended one of the 230 performances from artists of partnerc ountries, 35 artists talk realised, 203 artists performed (45% women), an income of CHF 358,400.- generated
  • 15 co-productions, 9 works on commission, 14 residences realised
  • 50 films shown, 1743 spectators
  • 45 video portraits of artists on the digital platform (45% women) published, 3268 views
  • 22 tours of performances in and around Switzerland realised


Directorate/federal office responsible SDC
Project partners Contract partner
Private sector
  • Swiss Private Sector
  • CULTURESCAPES


Coordination with other projects and actors Swiss cultural institutions, Cultural institutions from and around the Sahara region, FDFA/SDC’s representations abroad
Budget Current phase Swiss budget CHF    300’000 Swiss disbursement to date CHF    100’000 Total project since first phase Swiss budget CHF   601’000 Budget inclusive project partner CHF   901’000
Project phases Phase 2 21.10.2024 - 31.12.2025   (Current phase) Phase 1 01.12.2020 - 31.12.2023   (Completed)