House and association
Mission
The Gessnerallee is a venue for theatre, dance, performance and music in the centre of Zurich. As a co-producer of selected projects and a partner for local and global productions, it is one of the largest stages for the independent performing arts in Switzerland. It co-operates with local, national and international artists in the fields of research, production, presentation and touring.
Gessnerallee is a meeting place for the diverse urban society. The artistic programme is presented on the stages, in the studios, in the urban space and in the Stall6 Bar. The theatre presents experimental, especially contemporary art forms for a wide audience and explores current social issues.
At Gessnerallee, social change is being trialled and promoted with a view to greater diversity. The aim is to be a model theatre in which people with and without disabilities, white people and BIPoC and people with chronic illnesses, people of different social backgrounds and cultural backgrounds, gender, different ages and beliefs can work as a team, be artistically active and feel addressed and comfortable as an audience.
Are you enthusiastic about the Gessnerallee and would like to support it ideally and financially?
Become a member of the association and get involved at the same time.
Contact usAssociation
Supporting organisation
The theatre's supporting association, the Gessnerallee Theatre Association, emerged from the merger of the Gessnerallee Theatre Council Association as the supporting association and the VTG Audience Association. The association currently has around 100 members. The board is its strategic management body.
Board
Marc Brechtbühl (freely elected member), Margrit Bürer (President), Lisa Fuchs (Canton of Zurich Culture Department), Julia Heinrichs (Danse Suisse/Dance Switzerland), Dániel Puskás (Vice-President), Christoph Rath (t.), Michael Rüegg (City of Zurich Presidential Department), Kaspar Schärer (Team Gessnerallee Zurich)
Annual membership fees
Regular: CHF 50, supporters: CHF 150, companies: CHF 250
Benefits for members
As a member of the association, you will receive invitations to special events and dialogue formats with the board and the artistic and executive co-directors. You will also receive the Gessnerallee newspaper sent to your home and, if you are interested, a season pass for CHF 100.
History of the association
The VTG was founded in 1986 by a group of independent artists and former employees of the Zürcher Theaterspektakel. Their aim was to create a stage for professional independent theatre. Their efforts culminated in the provisional opening of the theatre house in 1989. In a referendum in 1993, the people of Zurich authorised the permanent operation and partial renovation of the theatre. In 1995/1996, thanks to the commitment of the VTG, the structural renovation of the riding hall and the southern side wing was completed. This enabled the premises to be adapted to artistic, technical and administrative requirements. In addition, the Gessnerallee Theatre Council Association was founded for the management of the theatre, consisting exclusively of members of the Theatre Council, i.e. the management body. The two associations merged on 1 August 2012 in an effort to establish a broader basis for the theatre's sponsorship and to increase the value of membership in the association.
We look forward to welcoming new enthusiastic fans and friends of Gessnerallee.
Are you interested in joining the association or would you like to find out more?
Contact usSupporters, networks and partnerships
The Gessnerallee is subsidised by: City of Zurich Culture, Canton of Zurich.
Gessnerallee also receives support for certain projects and programme focuses from: Corymbo Foundation, Swiss Federal Commission on Migration EKM, Ernst Göhner Foundation, Pro Helvetia and SüdKulturFonds, Ernst & Olga Gubler-Hablützel Foundation, Max Bircher Foundation, Denk an mich Foundation, Georges and Jenny Bloch Foundation.
Gessnerallee is involved in the following networks: Freischwimmen, RESO Organisers‘ Fund, Expedition Suisse Organisers’ Network, Kultur Züri, Assitej, t. Theaterschaffende Schweiz, Premio.
A partnership for overnight stays exists with: Hotel City Zurich.
Spaces
Gessnerallee offers a variety of attractive, versatile premises in a central location. If you are interested in hiring these premises for events, you can find more information at: