With the approval of the new initiative, Switzerland has created an important framework for planning and promoting culture over the next four years. The Culture Task Force is particularly relieved about the parliament's decision to reverse the planned 6.5 million Swiss franc budget reduction for the Pro Helvetia cultural foundation. However, the plan to discontinue activities at the Palazzo Trevisan degli Ulivi in Venice and at the Istituto Svizzero from 2026 has been met with criticism. These institutions are instrumental in maintaining Switzerland's international cultural reputation, and the savings are insignificant in comparison to their cultural benefits.

Another point of contention concerns the invocation of the independent Commission on Historically Sensitive Cultural Heritage. The Task Force supports the Federal Council's proposal to allow unilateral invocation by institutions such as museums in order to obtain expert advice for complex cases. This measure could advance the process of dealing with historically difficult topics and create a reliable practice.

Despite the current approved budget, the task force warns against potential budgetary constraints in the field of culture. The call for zero growth in the cultural message is viewed as a veiled reduction that could have a lasting effect on the cultural sector. In particular, the savings proposals could result in a reduction in funding for youth initiatives.

Source: Press release from the Culture Task Force, September 27, 2024

https://www.suisseculture.ch/?article=kulturbotschaft_kultur_statt_sparen