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.

PolARTS provides each tandem the following support:

*   **Living expenses (artist only): up to CHF 7,000**
    

_Artists will receive compensation for every day dedicated to the tandem activities, based on a self-defined per diem basis (minimum commitment of 12 half days are required). This support is only available to artists who are self-employed while participating in the tandem._

_In addition, artists with underage childcare responsibilities can apply for financial support of up to CHF 1,000 per month as a contribution to childcare or for the travel expenses of their children and, if necessary, a carer. Grant recipients are required to submit a detailed budget of all expenses to Pro Helvetia prior to the start of the project. This additional information will be requested only if the project is supported and is to be addressed at Pro Helvetia_.

*   **Operational costs of the tandem (both artist and scientist): up to CHF 5,500**
    

_For example, this includes the tandem partner’s transport costs, or the purchase of consumables needed for scientific or artistic work (such as scientific experiments, material for creative activities)._

*   **Field trip to the polar regions, upon separate application (artist only): up to CHF 10,000**
    

_Support for the field trip will be evaluated based on a separate budget. The amount granted will be defined in proportion to the scale of the proposed field trip._

*   **Field trip coordination fee: up to CHF 3,000**
    

_This compensation is intended for the scientific unit responsible for organising the field trip in which the artist is participating._

**Optional field trip**

**In addition, the artist can request support for a field trip to polar regions or remote high-altitude areas**. Such a field trip should take place in the framework of the scientist tandem partner’s fieldwork (i.e. the artist would accompany the scientist and/or their team on already planned fieldwork). Undertaking a field trip is optional. The timeframe for undertaking a field trip is from June 2026 until the end of the foreseen duration of the tandem (latest November 2027).

Artists who want to apply for support for a field trip must submit a separate proposal (application form B). This proposal can be handed in at the latest two months prior to the proposed field trip.

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