Cultural Policy in Switzerland

Dr. Jean-Frédéric Jauslin, Director Federal Office of Culture

37th PEARLE* Conference

UNESCO definition of «culture»

«In its widest sense, culture may now be said to be the whole complex of distinctive spiritual, material, intellectual and emotional features that characterise a society or social group. It includes notonly the arts and letters, but also modes of life, the fundamental rights of the human being, value systems, traditions and beliefs.»

Cultural policy in Switzerland37th PEARLE* Conference

29. Mai 2009

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Cultural promotion in Switzerland

Cantons

Confederation

Cultural organisationsPrivate

individuals

Communes

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Cultural policy in Switzerland37th PEARLE* Conference

29. Mai 2009

Cultural promotion in Switzerland

Cultural policy in Switzerland37th PEARLE* Conference

29. Mai 2009

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Communes (873mio)

Cantons (823 mio) Confederation(215.9 mio)

Lottery (250 mio)

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

900

Communes (873mio)

Cantons (823mio)

Confederation(215.9 mio)

Lottery (250 mio)

Total : Frs 2’161.9 mioTotal : Frs 2’161.9 mio

Swiss Statistics (2002).

Federal Office of Culture

Federal Office of Culture

600 employees

2 key tasks

Promotion of cultural diversity

Preservation of cultural heritage

7 articles in the Constitution (2, 40, 67, 69, 70, 71, 78)12 Federal Acts

7 articles in the Constitution (2, 40, 67, 69, 70, 71, 78)12 Federal Acts

Budget CHF: 205 million (2008)

Cultural policy in Switzerland37th PEARLE* Conference

29. Mai 2009

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Article 69 of the Federal Constitution

1 Cultural matters shall be a cantonal responsibility.

2 The Confederation may support cultural activities of national interest as well as art and music, in particular in the field of education.

3 In the fulfilment of its duties, it shall take account of the cultural and linguistic diversity of the country

Cultural policy in Switzerland37th PEARLE* Conference

29. Mai 2009

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Cultural Promotion Act

2000 Totally revised Federal Constitution contains an article on culture, which forms the constitutional basis for federal

cultural promotion

2007 The Federal Council approves the draft of a Cultural Promotion Act (CPA) and at the same time approves the draft of a total revision of the Federal Act on Swiss Arts Council (Pro Helvetia) (PHA)

2008 Debate on the CPA and PHA in the National Council

2009 Debate on the CPA and PHA in the Council of States

Cultural policy in Switzerland37th PEARLE* Conference

29. Mai 2009

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Allocation of tasks

Federal Office of Culture• Formulates federal culture

policy• Encourages new talent and

cultural creation• Promotes languages and

cultural minorities• Preservation of cultural

heritage

Swiss Arts Council

(Pro Helvetia)• Cultural dissemination• Cultural exchange between the

various regions of Switzerland and exchange with other countries

• Promotion of Swiss culture abroad

Cultural policy in Switzerland37th PEARLE* Conference

29. Mai 2009

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