Collaboration

Gessnerallee is a venue for contemporary performing arts and cooperates with local, national and international artists in the areas of research, production, presentation and touring. We are interested in working with experienced artists, young artists and career changers. We see ourselves as hosts, collaborators and facilitators, and in our decisions we attach great importance to enabling both sustainable, long-term collaborations and short-term projects with the artists working at the venue. 

Our focus is on working with artists who are characterised by a high degree of reflection on social and/or aesthetic issues, who have a need to further develop their artistic and aesthetic practice, who are willing to take risks and who are sensitive to diversity and inclusion-related issues and practices.

Artistic work is always a process that involves decisions about specific aesthetics and forms – and thus leaves out other possibilities. Between the demand for openness and the necessity of omission, we believe that the ability to empathise, generosity, the joy of sharing and making transparent decisions are important components of good collaboration. Another focus for us is the constant examination of the question of for whom we present artistic works and how we can make a visit to our premises as accessible, pleasant and stimulating as possible for a diverse audience. That is why we welcome the willingness to consider the visitor's perspective, the interest in the creative use of accessibility tools (such as audio description, sign language, relaxed performances, multilingual surtitles, etc.) and the collaboration on public relations work.

Programme decisions

Responsibility for decisions regarding the theatre, dance and performance programme at Gessnerallee lies with the theatre directors (Kathrin Veser, Miriam Walther) and the dramaturgues (Isabel Gatzke, Noa Winter). The curatorial process is supported by other team members, including in particular the two agents for diversity (Manuel Gerst, Ramona Unterberg), the two production managers (Anja Mayer, Aline Stäheli) and the technical director (Piotr Rybkowski).

Funding situation since 2024

Since 2024, Gessnerallee has been able to award production funds, which were previously applied for from the City of Zurich, directly to artists. This enables both long-term collaborations and short-term projects of varying sizes within them – from larger projects to small try-outs. We support artists in their research, production and presentation, as well as in touring.

Making Contact

For project proposals and questions, please contact the programme group (Isabel Gatzke, Kathrin Veser, Miriam Walther, Noa Winter) at programm@gessnerallee.ch. As we receive a large number of enquiries, we unfortunately do not have the capacity to respond to all incoming emails. If we believe that the project is fundamentally in line with the aesthetic, content and capacity of the Gessnerallee and we require more information to make a decision, we will get back to you.

Requests for financial contributions

2025/2026 season

The programme for the 2025/26 season has already been finalised. Requests for artistic projects can only be made for projects whose performance date is in autumn 2026 at the earliest. 

Production contributions 

Requests for production contributions for projects premiering at Gessnerallee must be submitted at least one year before the planned premiere date.

Contributions for research and residencies

Requests for research/residencies can be submitted six months in advance.

Open calls 

The selection of the programme at Gessnerallee is an ongoing process without general open calls. However, we plan to hold occasional open calls with a specific thematic or aesthetic focus (e.g. Aesthetics of Access, etc.).

Multi-year funding

Artists who wish to apply for a multi-year funding (e.g. concept funding, multi-year funding from the Canton of Zurich) and would like to request Gessnerallee as a production venue must also contact programm@gessnerallee.ch at least 3 months in advance. Gessnerallee only enters into multi-year collaborations with artists with whom it has already worked in the past.