Frequently Asked Questions | Parallel Sphere

I am not Arab, but I live in an Arab country am I eligible to apply?

None-Arab artists residents of an Arab and country are eligible to apply as long as they are recognized as active practitioners in the Arab art scene.

We are a none registered collective, can we apply?

YES, the call is open to individuals, collectives, registered and non-registered organizations.

I am a curator; am I eligible to apply?

Yes, curators are eligible to apply.

I am a student, am I eligible?

Parallel Sphere is open to active practitioner in the arts and culture field; it does not matter if you are a student or graduate as long as you are active in the scene and your application fits our selection criteria.

I am an Iranian artist, I am eligible?

Unfortunately, Iran is not in our area of focus.

Can a person submit more than one application for the grant?

No, you can only submit one application.

Is it better to apply from an institution or as an individual?

It doesn’t matter, institutions and individuals are eligible.

My project does not have a Swiss partner or link, can I still apply?

Yes, you can still apply, but your proposal needs to outline in which ways the project can be developed in order to encourage exchange and collaboration between the Swiss and Arab artists and artistic scenes in the future.

What are the eligible disciplines that Parallel Sphere supports?

1.  Visual Art (except film-making)
2.  Music
3. Literature
4. Performing arts (Contemporary Dance, Theater, etc.)
5. Design
6. Interactive Media
7. Interdisciplinary

Which projects that are excluded from the selection criteria?

Films. The organization does not support film-making.

Can I apply with a video art project?

Yes, we support video art.

What are the recommended COVID-19 safety procedures?

COVID-19 safety precautions are consistently updated on WHO, so please check it before any interaction takes place in the project.

Can I apply with a project I already started?

Pro Helvetia Cairo does not support projects in retrospect, however, if the project is divided over different phases, we I can cover a new phase that builds on the previous one/s.

Does the project topic have to be related to COVID-19?

No, creative processes are not expected to reflect on the current COVID-19 situation.

If travel restrictions are lifted, can I include travel in my project?

Minimum per-conditions for Projects involving international travel of cultural practitioners:

The conditions in the host country guarantee that the event can take place. A regular travel connection between the artists home and the host country must be guaranteed, visa issue must be possible. In principle, no quarantine is imposed on travelers (exceptions can be made if the artist agrees being in quarantine during the stay of a residency). The artists must be able to move freely anytime outside, able to buy daily necessities. The political and social situation must be safe in relation to official travel advice. The per-conditions must not contradict the national rules on site. The cultural infrastructure and networks relevant for the given project are functioning. The artist is immune (tested or vaccinated against COVID-19), in other words the artist doesn’t take the risk to infect him or herself or put others at risk through his/her travels in either direction.

I am working on an online platform, is the developer’s fee considered as “salary”?

No, collaborator’s fees are not considered as salaries.

By “institutional salaries” we full-time and/or part-time employees of the applying organization

What expenses are not covered by Parallel Sphere?

1. Institutional Salaries
2. Office rentals
3. Institutional Equipment and devices purchases

Do I have to submit a detailed budget for my project?

Yes, detailed budget is required

Can I fill-in my application in Arabic?

Unfortunately, we only accept applications in English, French and German

Do I have to include all the project participants’ names in my application or mine would be enough?

All participants/ collaborators’ names must be included in your application.

I have an international partner; do I need to give you information about them?

Yes, their information must be added to your application

Can I send my application and the supported documents by e-mail?

No, we only accept applications via our official platform HERE