The BNP Paribas Swiss Foundation is committed to promoting culture

The BNP Paribas Swiss Foundation has, for the past 15 years, been involved in promoting Swiss cultural heritage and accompanying young local artists.

Its action in favour of culture is demonstrated as much through institutional partnerships, by the creation of an award with the Haute Ecole d’Art et Design in Geneva, as by its support of artistic creation in direct association with the Foundation’s Collection.

Did you know that the Foundation supports the restoration of major works?

Since its creation in 2002, the BNP Paribas Swiss Foundation has been strongly committed to restoring major works belonging to the permanent collections of museums like Kunsthaus Zürich, MAMCO, the Museum of Art and History in Geneva and the Beyeler Foundation in Basel.

Discover the paintings restored with the support of the Foundation

Dozens of paintings have benefited from the conservation and restoration operations that are necessary to maintain the physical integrity or reemphasize the original intent of these works.

Among the artists whose works have been restored with the assistance of the BNP Paribas Swiss Foundation, can be found:

Credit: Fondation Beyeler

• Max Ernst,
• Auguste Rodin,
• Bram van Velde,
• Paul Véronèse,
• Claude Monet,
• Pablo Picasso   

How does the Foundation promote Swiss cultural heritage?

The Foundation is committed to promoting Swiss cultural heritage and making it accessible to everyone. This is why, over the last few years, it has supported several mediation programmes, with institutions like the Museum of Art and History in Geneva or Kunsthaus Zürich.

The BNP Paribas Foundation, editor!

Within the context of supporting Swiss cultural heritage and its commitments to cultural institutions, the Foundation took part in editing a series of 22 publications dedicated to the presentation of Swiss Museums.

What about Young talents?

Today, a primary focus for the Foundation continues to be accompanying young artists and emerging talents.

This goal is especially reflected in the field of the performing arts, notably through partnerships with the Opernhaus in Zürich or the Grand Theatre in Geneva.

Discover the troop of young soloists at the Grand Theatre in Geneva

Since 2009, the Foundation has been a founding partner of the troop of young soloists in residence. This programme offers young vocalists a unique opportunity to launch their professional career by collaborating with conductors, stage directors and experienced artists.

The desire to encourage and support young artistic creation also manifests itself through the New Heads Prize – BNP Paribas Foundation Art Awards and through the action of the Foundation’s Collection that is currently expanding via the acquisition of works from Swiss contemporary artists.

The BNP Paribas Swiss Foundation rewards young talent!

Credit : HEAD Michel Giesbrecht

Co-founded in 2012 by the BNP Paribas Swiss Foundation and the Haute Ecole d’Art et de Design in Geneva (HEAD), the New Heads Prize – BNP Paribas Foundation Art Awards aim to reward, each year, young ‘Master of Visual Arts’ graduates from the school.

This prize represents a stepping stone for young students coming out of HEAD, and enables them to receive the Foundation’s support to help launch their career.