polarts research grant

PolARTS is a joint initiative by the Swiss Arts Council Pro Helvetia and the Swiss Polar Institute (SPI) encouraging exchange and fostering collaboration between art and science. PolARTS opens a space for new collaborative and explorative practices and supports the processes of transdisciplinary cooperation.

This call for proposals is aimed at artists and scientists interested in collaborating. PolARTS supports up to three tandems composed of an artist from Switzerland and a polar scientist over a period of 12 to 18 months. The tandems will meet regularly at various locations (such as laboratories, studios, scientific and artistic events, gatherings) and exchange insights into their research, professional activities, career aspirations, work backgrounds. PolARTS places emphasis on exchange and exploratory processes rather than on producing tangible outputs.

Artists and scientists who are interested in forming a tandem are invited to propose a collaborative process lasting approximately 12 to 18 months, defining format, objectives, and motivation. Proposals must engage with topics and research linked to polar regions (the Arctic or Antarctic) or to remote high-altitude regions, such as the Andes or the Himalaya.