Biel wants to become a creative city
With the "Creative City Biel" project, the city at the foot of the Jura is launching a funding program that bundles new instruments to support the creation and dissemination of artistic projects.
Additional funds are to be used to promote young talent, helping young artists to cover certain professional costs so that they can concentrate better on their projects. Another type of assistance provides grants for particularly promising artists, so that they are supported in the further development of their artistic careers.
The distribution of Biel's cultural products will also be promoted, including outside the city. This was previously not possible. And finally, professional support for artists will also be provided through advisory and mentoring services.
improved. The municipal council has earmarked CHF 200,000 in the culture budget for these new instruments.
In the area of cultural promotion, the City of Biel supports regional and local cultural institutions through four-year performance contracts. It also promotes cultural activities in Biel/Bienne through selective financial subsidies for individual events. Finally, it supports professional artistic creation with work grants. With a current annual budget of CHF 180,000, this instrument accounts for 2 percent of the budget of the Department of Culture. With this sum, the city responded positively to 38% of applications for work grants in 2019.
