Zürcher Theaterspektakel

Project completed

The largest theatre and dance festival of Switzerland, the Zürcher Theater Spektakel, is integrating the works of performers and theatre directors from the South and the East into the yearly programmes, competitions and networks. The partnership with SDC allows specific efforts regarding research, translations, pre-production works or co-productions, as to make sure the artists get additional visibility, skills and status in Switzerland, internationally and in their own countries.

Country/region Topic Period Budget
Global
Culture / development awareness
Rule of Law - Democracy - Human rights
Culture & recreation
01.01.2016 - 31.07.2020
CHF 660'000
Background

Art and culture are important means of expression with a potential of reflection, interaction and social change. Therefore, a free culture scene is an important element for a social society with freedom of expression. Theatre is a powerful means to work on themes that touch the public and trigger thought.

SDC adopted a new policy for culture and development. One of the pillars is to promote access for artists from the South and East to Swiss and international cultural markets. The SDC policy is a contribution to the implementation of the UNESCO’s 2005 Convention on Cultural Diversity.

Objectives

Artists and theatre directors from the South and East get a better access to the Swiss culture market and international networks.

The access to the Swiss and international public is promoted, especially for works with contents relevant to social change and development.

Target groups

Theater producers, directors and actors from the South and the East; indirectly also the theatre and arts scene and their audiences in SDC priority countries.

Medium-term outcomes

The invited artists and theatre directors increase their visibility and get better known internationally and in their own countries.

The participants get access to international contacts, opening up additional opportunities for co-production or international tours.

The artistic, technical and strategic competencies of the artists are strengthened.

The income of the participants will rise with the performances in Zürich, internationally and in their own countries.

Results

Expected results:  

  • Theater and dance performances shown on four festivals attracting each around 25’000 spectators.
  • Artists’ residences, co-productions, coaching on pre-production finishings.
  • 100-150 actors and theatre producers yearly invited to perform and network, potentially win prizes and get known.
  • Research missions with information exchange on synergies with SDC Culture programmes in priority countries


Results from previous phases:  

  • 40% of the performances in the main programme of the Theater Spektakel were presented by artists from the South and the East.
  • A close follow-up regarding research, language and production preparation is key.
  • A special format of short pieces was introduced for emerging artists.
  • Theatre is an important cultural genre in SDC priority countries and synergies were built with the regular visits of the curator of the Theater Spektakel.
  • The SDC contribution is aiming at strengthening the support for bringing artists and theater producers from the South and the East. It goes to scale with the main budget coming from the city and canton of Zürich and other donors.


Directorate/federal office responsible SDC
Credit area Development cooperation
Project partners Contract partner
Private sector
  • Swiss Private Sector
  • Zürcher Theater Spektakel – City of Zürich


Coordination with other projects and actors

SDC Culture programmes in priority countries, various European theater festivals, “Shared Spaces” international network.

Budget Current phase Swiss budget CHF   660'000 Swiss disbursement to date CHF   654'104 Total project since first phase Swiss budget CHF  480'000
Project phases Phase 3 01.01.2020 - 31.07.2024   (Current phase)

Phase 2 01.01.2016 - 31.07.2020   (Completed)