Art Mentor Foundation Lucerne

Charity Number: CUSTOM_3A2BF9A6

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: Not publicly disclosed
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed (competitive - foundation receives numerous applications with limited funds)
  • Decision Time: Variable (two-level process with initial response followed by board decision)
  • Grant Range: Not publicly disclosed (provides “substantial contributions”)
  • Geographic Focus: International (worldwide, including UK organizations)
  • Lead Time Required: 9 months for Music/Cultural Education; 18 months for Visual Art

Contact Details

Website: https://artmentor.ch/en/

Application: Online submission form via website

Location: Lucerne, Switzerland

Note: This is a Swiss foundation that funds international projects, including UK-based organizations.

Overview

Established in 2003 through proceeds from the sale of Boehringer Mannheim GmbH to Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Art Mentor Foundation Lucerne is a private nonprofit foundation based in Lucerne, Switzerland. The foundation supports institutional and professional projects in Visual Art, Music, and Cultural Education worldwide. Operating under Federal Supervisory Board oversight and holding membership in proFonds (Swiss foundation association), the foundation aims to contribute to the perception of art as a core value of society. The foundation has supported prestigious UK institutions including the Royal College of Music (three-year grant for masterclass programme announced in 2021) and serves as a key supporter of the Britten Pears Young Artists Programme. The foundation provides substantial contributions toward project realization rather than residual financing, with grants paid as lump sums or installments over multiple years (typically maximum three years).

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates three main grant areas with specific timelines:

Visual Art (18 months lead time required)

  • Encompasses classical genres (painting, sculpture, graphic art, drawing, photography) and new forms of expression (performance, experimental film, video)
  • Supports exhibitions, catalogues, and innovative art education projects
  • Recent example: Supported “Gabriele Münter: The Great Expressionist Woman Painter” exhibition at Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza, Spain

Music (9 months lead time required)

  • Primarily focuses on contemporary classical music
  • International academies and master classes conducted by established instructors
  • Outstanding festival series with visionary programming and innovative outreach
  • Recent approvals include: Stellenbosch International Chamber Music Festival, Liedstadt Festival Hamburg, New Music First festival Amsterdam
  • Example UK recipient: Royal College of Music masterclass programme (three-year grant)

Cultural Education (9 months lead time required)

  • Projects related to visual art or music for children and teenagers
  • Must demonstrate innovative approaches rather than one-off events
  • Example UK recipient: Britten Pears Young Artists Programme

Application Methods

  • Rolling basis via online submission form
  • Two-level procedure: initial project request, then invitation for full proposal if successful
  • No fixed deadlines, but strict lead time requirements apply

Priority Areas

Projects must demonstrate:

  • Public Interest: The project must serve the broader community
  • Visionary: Forward-thinking artistic or educational approach
  • Innovative: New trails in their respective grant areas
  • Sustainable: Long-term impact and viability
  • Professional and Institutional: Must be conducted by professional organizations, not individual artists
  • Substantial contributions: Foundation provides major funding, not residual/top-up financing

The foundation seeks to “contribute to the development of a vital culture of excellence in classical music” and attract new audiences through innovative programming and outreach.

What They Don't Fund

All Areas:

  • Scholarships or individual grants for visual artists or musicians
  • Amateur projects
  • Profit-oriented or commercial ventures
  • Completed projects or retroactive deficit compensation
  • Projects already substantially funded elsewhere
  • Projects where funds are raised by professional agencies on a commission basis

Music Specific:

  • One-off single events
  • Concert tours
  • DVD or CD production
  • Composition commissions (unless originally awarded by the foundation)
  • Operas and musical theatre
  • Purchase of music scores

Cultural Education Specific:

  • One-off events
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Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees:

  • Heini Rüdisühli - President
  • Numa Bischof Ullmann - Expert Member for Music and Cultural Education
  • Sabine Schaschl - Expert Member for Visual Art and Cultural Education
  • Dr. Richard Scholz - Board Member
  • Christian Weinhold - Board Member

The foundation operates under Swiss law as a “Stiftung” (foundation) and is supervised by the Federal Supervisory Board for Foundations. It maintains membership in proFonds, the Swiss foundations association.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Two-Level Procedure:

Level One: Project Request

  • Submit via online submission form on foundation website (https://artmentor.ch/en/application/)
  • Can be submitted at any time
  • Must respect lead time: 9 months before project start (Music/Cultural Education) or 18 months (Visual Art)
  • Additional documents and documentation cannot be considered at this level
  • Foundation reviews for compliance with grant focus and guidelines
  • Each project request is answered “in a timely manner”

Level Two: Project Proposal

  • Only invited applicants may submit after positive Level One assessment
  • Requires detailed and comprehensive project proposal
  • Reviewed for completeness and compliance with grant criteria
  • Submitted to Foundation Board for final decision
  • Submitted proposals and additional documents will not be returned

Decision Timeline

  • Initial project request receives response “in a timely manner”
  • Full timeline not publicly disclosed but two-stage process requires patience
  • Foundation recommends applying well in advance (9-18 months depending on category)
  • Grant payments may be structured over multiple years (typically maximum three years)

Success Rates

The foundation does not publish specific success rate statistics. However:

  • Foundation “annually receives numerous project requests and project proposals”
  • Funds are explicitly stated as “limited”
  • “It is not possible to award all submitted project applications with a grant”
  • “It is possible that a project is not awarded a grant even though it was positively assessed”
  • Highly competitive process with selective funding

Reapplication Policy

Strict No Reapplication Rule: “Project requests and proposals that were rejected cannot be submitted a second time.”

However, the foundation does note that “repeated subsidies and funding breaks are possible” for projects that have previously received funding, suggesting continued support is available for successful partnerships.

Application Success Factors

Key Strategic Advice

  1. Plan Far in Advance: The 9-18 month lead time is mandatory, not suggested. Late applications cannot be considered as the foundation does not provide retroactive financing.
  1. Focus on Innovation and Vision: The foundation consistently emphasizes projects that “blaze new and innovative trails.” Standard or traditional approaches are less likely to succeed.
  1. Demonstrate Sustainability: Projects must show long-term impact beyond a single event or short-term outcome. One-off events are explicitly excluded.
  1. Emphasize Public Interest: Applications should clearly articulate how the project serves the broader community and contributes to art as “a core value of our society and each individual.”
  1. Professional and Institutional Focus: Individual artists should not apply. The foundation funds organizations and institutions conducting professional projects.
  1. Substantial Contributions Only: The foundation provides major funding contributions, not top-up or residual financing. Ensure your budget reflects a substantial funding request.
  1. Initial Application Simplicity: Level One project requests are screened without additional documentation. The initial submission should be clear and compelling on its own merits.
  1. No Legal Claim: Understanding that “there is no legal claim to a grant” and “a project can be rejected without any statement of reasons” helps set realistic expectations.

Recently Funded Projects

  • Royal College of Music (UK) - Three-year grant for masterclass programme featuring celebrated musicians from around the world, with emphasis on accessibility
  • Britten Pears Arts (UK) - Key supporter of Young Artists Programme focusing on innovative support for rising talent
  • Stellenbosch International Chamber Music Festival (South Africa)
  • Liedstadt Festival Hamburg (Germany) - Inaugural edition
  • New Music First Festival (Netherlands, Amsterdam)
  • Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza (Spain) - “Gabriele Münter: The Great Expressionist Woman Painter” retrospective exhibition

Common Themes in Successful Applications

  • International scope with innovative programming
  • Master classes and education programmes led by established instructors
  • Contemporary and new music (though other eras considered)
  • Projects attracting new and diverse audiences
  • Multi-year programmes demonstrating sustainability
  • Strong institutional backing and professional execution

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  1. Lead Time is Critical: Apply 9 months (Music/Cultural Education) or 18 months (Visual Art) before your project start date. This is a strict requirement, not a guideline.
  1. Innovation is Non-Negotiable: The foundation consistently emphasizes “visionary” and “innovative” approaches. Traditional or standard programming is unlikely to succeed.
  1. Think International: Despite being Swiss-based, the foundation funds worldwide projects. UK organizations have successfully received support, particularly in music education and emerging artist development.
  1. No Second Chances: Rejected applications cannot be resubmitted. Ensure your first submission is thoroughly prepared and strategically aligned.
  1. Focus on Substantial Projects: The foundation provides major contributions for significant projects, not small grants or residual financing. Scale your request appropriately.
  1. Institutional Applications Only: Individual artists cannot apply. Ensure applications come from established professional organizations.
  1. Two-Stage Process Requires Patience: Initial project requests are screened first, with only successful applicants invited to submit full proposals. Build sufficient time into your planning.

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References