Your perspective matters

Dear visitors to Gessnerallee, dear artists

After almost two years under new direction, we would like to pause and ask you: how do you experience Gessnerallee today – and how should it develop in the future? With our audience survey, we invite you to share your perspective with us. Surveys like this are an important source of feedback for us: they help us gain a broader picture of what people value, miss or would like to see at Gessnerallee.

Your feedback helps us to further develop our programme, our communications and our accessibility services in a targeted manner. The survey comprises around 40 questions, is divided into thematic sections and can also be completed in parts. Taking part in the survey takes approx. 10 to 15 minutes. All information is provided voluntarily and will be evaluated anonymously. As a thank you for taking part, you will receive a voucher for an event at Gessnerallee.

Take part in the audience survey now

If you would like to find out more about our work to date, we recommend reading "Step by Step into 2028", the "Mid-term Review of the Artistic Direction" at the end of the first season, and the 2024/25 Annual Report. You can find an overview of the programme and other activities from the last two seasons on our programme page and on the newspaper page.

We look forward to your feedback, suggestions and criticism – and thank you very much for your input and for taking part in the audience survey.

The survey runs from 22 April to 22 May 2026. If you like, we’d also be delighted if you could forward the survey to colleagues, friends and acquaintances.

Link to the audience survey: https://gessnerallee.ch/en/general-survey

Now for an overview of programme highlights, news and everything we’d like to share with you:

Programme

22 April, 5.30 pm

"Spaces of Possibility in Artistic Conflict Transformation" by artasfoundation

Artistic practice in crisis zones is confronted with challenging questions. In the ‘Art in Conflict’ discussion series, various stakeholders come together to reflect on their experiences. This time, our guests are Maja Leo (specialist in art in conflict transformation processes, consultant at the Berghof Foundation) and Tinatin Gurgenidze (urban researcher, lecturer, curator, Tbilisi Architecture Biennial). More information

6 May, 7.30 pm

“Alpha Boys – Investigations from the Manosphere” by SRF Investigativ and SRF Data

The seventh episode of our Monthly Topics series takes place in cooperation with SRF Investigativ and SRF Data. SRF journalists Julian Schmidli, Sonja Mühlemann and Stefanie Hasler explain how they delved deep into the dark recesses of the manosphere for their research. They shed light on the mechanisms behind Andrew Tate’s online empire and offer an insight into the mindset of incels. They demonstrate how quickly young men on TikTok come into contact with content from the manosphere. Finally, they highlight the tragic consequences of this ideology using the example of Switzerland’s first incel attack. And how they presented their findings as a podcast, documentary film and online article, under the title: “Alpha Boys”. Tickets

6 to 9 May

“PERCEPTIONS” by Anna Chiedza Spörri

In her new piece, the Bern-based choreographer explores how Black men are perceived in Switzerland and how this external perception affects their self-image. Using choreographic means, Chiedza Spörri, together with four dancers, analyses the tension between confinement and liberation, between expectations and realities. To this end, stereotypes and microaggressions – some of which lead to violence – are carefully documented, deconstructed and reflected. Dance and spoken word are interwoven to show how racism is experienced, whilst simultaneously challenging the audience to fundamentally question their own perceptions of Black men. The performances on 8 and 9 May take place as part of ZÜRICH TANZT. Tickets

Furthermore

Workshop for transracial adoptees

On 9 and 10 May 2026, musician and transracial adoptee Annie Goodchild will be hosting a workshop for and with transracial adoptees (people adopted across national borders). The workshop forms part of the research for her new collaborative production with Brandy Butler (premiere: March 2027). During the workshop, experiences can be shared and, if desired, documented on video or audio for the research. Further information and registration: goodchild.annie@gmail.com

We look forward to your participation in the audience survey and your visit.

The Gessnerallee team