artFAQ is in contact with numerous actors from the independent scene, funding institutions, cultural politics as well as associations, interest groups and teaters. We occasionally organize event formats for mediation, discussion and networking on production-relevant topics in the Zürich region and beyond in exchange with other actors of the independent scene.
CURRENTLY
The special events take place irregularly and in dialogue with members of the independent arts scene. Next events:
Tuesday, 10 November 2026
«Growing Older with Dignity in the Performing Arts»
5–7 pm at Brücki 235 and online via Zoom
With Chantal Hirschi (Theaterschaffen Schweiz), dance me to the end, Michel Schröder (Fabriktheater, Rote Fabrik), Yvonne Dünki ((Schweizerische Interpretenstiftung SIS)), and an introduction by Trixa Arnold (artist)
Do we actually want to be able to grow older with dignity and pursue fulfilling work in the independent performing arts scene? Or is it a place where its protagonists are expected to remain young – not only because of precarious working conditions, but because the scene is, by its very nature, constantly renewing itself? How can institutions, funding bodies and professional associations prepare for the fact that many artists in the independent scene will soon reach retirement age (after all, everyone gets older) – and may well want to continue working, performing and producing? How can younger artists benefit from decades of experience?
This panel discussion can serve as a starting point for taking stock, or as a generator of ideas. Who is already working on which issues? Where are there opportunities for collaboration?
Moderated by Kathrin Walde, we look forward to your active participation. A small apéro will follow the discussion.
Meeting ID: 870 8798 1938
Passcode: 405393
Wednesday, November 25, 2026
“Young producers tell their stories… 2 years later”
with Lara Anderegg, Laeticia Blättler, Johannes R. Millius
5 pm in the artFAQ co-working space at Kulturmarkt and online via Zoom
In August 2024, Lara Anderegg, Laeticia Blättler, and Johannes Millius met for the first time as part of the "Young Producers Tell Their Stories" event organized by artFAQ. The idea was to showcase the lives of young producers and highlight their individual working realities. Why did they choose this profession, what do they particularly enjoy about it, what advice would they give to others who want to work in this field, and how do they pay their rent?
artFAQ is now inviting the same three individuals back. Moderated by Kathrin Walde, they will look back on the past two years. Where do they stand now, which of their expectations have been met, and where have they made changes and adapted their work practices? Following the discussion, during which questions from the participants are welcome, there will be refreshments.
Meeting ID: 868 4769 0721
ID code: 521668
PAST EVENTS
Exchange between Geneva and Zurich
on best practices regarding production issues in the performing artsMonday, September 7, 2026, Scènes du Grütli
The exchange addressed the following questions: Where can projects by production managers and artists from Western Switzerland best be presented in German-speaking Switzerland? What opportunities and challenges exist when developing a project in German-speaking Switzerland? What residency opportunities are available?
artFAQ on tour – Festival visits for production managers
auawirleben, 14 to 17 May 2026, Bern
Impulse Festival, 11 to 14 June 2026, Mülheim an der Ruhr, Germany
Festivals can mean many things to production managers: a multi-day opportunity for networking, a special setting for reaching new audiences, an intensive period on tour, and an exciting occasion for exchange amongst colleagues. With the ‘artFAQ on tour’ format, we focus primarily on the latter and, in spring 2026, invited interested production managers from Switzerland to visit the auawirleben Theatre Festival (Bern) and the Impulse Festival (Mülheim an der Ruhr, Germany) as a group. The programme enabled participants to attend one of the two festival programmes and was complemented by professional and personal exchange sessions.
PRODUCERS RESEARCH RESIDENCY
April 28 to 30 & July 7 to 9, 2025, Langenbruck (BL)
In 2025, artFAQ announced two residencies for producers and production managers for the first time. The programme was aimed at producers who work together on a casual basis and have been wanting to collaborate more closely for some time, perhaps even in the form of a production office, but who, surrounded by their to-do lists, cannot find the time or leisure to organise their collaboration. With the residency, we wanted to give producers and production managers with ties to the Zurich region a space to reflect on their working methods and structures.
PAM Meeting
November 21, 2024, PROGR Bern
We were very happy to work together with RESO and produktionsbande to be allowed to organize the PAM Meeting 2024. After an input from the production band, the participants had the opportunity to exchange their experiences, wishes and ideas for better networking and knowledge transfer.
YOUNG PRODUCERS TELL
August 21, 2024 at Brücki 235 and via livestream
Three young producers were the focus of this event. We spoke to them about their motivation to enter this profession, how they envision their future and how they pay their rent. What are their experiences in working with artists and what advice would they give to others who are planning to work in the field of production?
The event was recorded and can be viewed on our Vimeo channel . You can request the password via info(at)artfaq.ch .
PODIUM FAIR WAGES
October 31, 2023 at the Theater am Gleis in Winterthur
A panel on the new wage guidelines from t. Theaterschaffen Schweiz moderated by Nadine Schwarz. Invited guests were Anna Bürgi, head of the dance department of the cultural funding of the city of Zürich, Chantal Hirschi, Management of t. Theaterschaffen Schweiz, Lisa Letnansky, cantonal councillor of the AL and dramaturge at the Gessnerallee, Raphael Vuilleumier, cultural worker in the independent scene in Winterthur and Lisa Fuchs (representing Sabina Brunnschweiler), deputy head of the funding team for dance and theater at the culture department of the canton of Zürich.
The podium was filmed by t. Zürich and can be viewed on our Vimeo-channel. You can request the password via info(at)artfaq.ch.
KULTURAPÉRO ZÜRIOBERLAND
September 8, 2023, at Villa Flora in Wald (ZH)
At the invitation of the Standortförderung Zürioberland, artFAQ led workshops on the production processes of cultural projects with a focus on applications, funding landscape, founding an association and budget planning as part of the third edition of the Cultural Apéro.