Culture for All: Expanding access to culture in Zürich

Zürich is a city defined by diversity, yet not all of its residents can participate equally in cultural life. Barriers still exist for individuals and groups due to cultural or social background, physical or mental disability, or other structural disadvantages. To address this gap, the City and Canton of Zürich jointly launched the Transformation Grants for Cultural Participation (Transformationsbeiträge kulturelle Teilhabe) in 2024. This marks the first time that the City and the Canton of Zürich have implemented a cultural funding programme together. 

The programme supports cultural institutions in making their offerings more inclusive, accessible, and representative of Zurich’s population. Its aim is not only to widen access to existing cultural opportunities but also to strengthen institutional practices so that inclusion becomes embedded within the city’s cultural fabric. 

Designing a grant programme which can adapt to different cultural institutions 

The initiative engages a wide range of cultural institutions that differ greatly in size, resources, and professional capacity. The challenge lies in offering support that is flexible enough to meet these varied needs while ensuring that the changes implemented are sustainable. 

Targeted primarily at institutions already receiving recurring financial support from the City or Canton of Zurich, the programme requires organisations to look beyond programming alone and critically examine their structures, decision-making processes, and long-term strategies. The Transformation Grants focus on structural change rather than direct funding of artistic projects. Institutions are encouraged to review their operations with a view to dismantling barriers to participation and fostering diversity and equal opportunity. 

Putting lived-experience at the heart of cultural inclusion transformation 

To access the funding, each cultural institution has to collaborate with a civil society organisation. This partner represents the perspectives of those who typically face difficulties in accessing cultural life, ensuring that institutions do not simply speak about inclusion but actively incorporate underrepresented voices. 

The transformation process is organised into three successive phases: firstly, institutions analyse their current practices; then they develop strategies for inclusion; and finally implement measures to become more inclusive and accessible. Each phase requires a separate application and receives distinct funding. A total of CHF 5 million has been allocated for the programme, with individual institutions able to access up to CHF 180,000 across the process. 

The programme runs until the end of 2028, allowing time for substantial institutional change. Although still in its early stages, initial responses from cultural institutions have been positive. Many organisations have welcomed the opportunity to engage in structured reflection, demonstrating commitment to addressing barriers to cultural participation. An interim evaluation report will provide empirical insights and guide further adjustments, ensuring that the approach remains responsive and effective. The open-ended design of the programme deliberately encourages institutions to move outside their comfort zones, question ingrained habits, and work towards long-term transformation. 

By fostering diversity and accessibility, the Transformation Grants aim to create cultural spaces that truly reflect and serve Zurich’s population. In doing so, the programme aspires to make inclusion not a separate initiative but a defining feature of the city’s cultural sector.