Coronavirus: Emergency support for SUISA members
The coronavirus constitutes a major challenge for a great number of sectors in Switzerland - particularly for artists and creators. The temporary ban on public events is a cause of great hardship for many. On 20 March, the Federal Council adopted an aid package designed to mitigate the losses for people operating in the cultural sector. Many of our members, especially those who are Swiss residents, are eligible for support under these measures. To cushion the devastating economic impact of the coronavirus, SUISA’s Board has decided to introduce an emergency support plan for SUISA members. This plan has two pillars:
Advances
SUISA can grant advances to its members. The amount of such advances will be determined based on a member’s average royalty revenues from prior years. By way of additional relief, advances will first be offset against settlements as of 30 June 2021.
SUISA will not grant advances for less than CHF 500; this means that in order to apply for an advance, your average royalty revenues in prior years must lie over this limit.
Please send your applications for advances to coronavirus@suisa.ch.
Support payments
Members who find themselves in dire straits as a result of the pandemic can apply for a support payment. Only members who suffer significant losses in fees or royalty revenues as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, and thus encounter financial difficulties which pose an existential threat, qualify for support payments.
Applications can be made via the members’ portal My Account.
Information about Federal measures
The website of the Federal Office of Culture (FOC) provides a general overview (in German, French and Italian) of the measures enacted to mitigate the economic consequences of the coronavirus for the cultural sector: https://www.bak.admin.ch/bak/de/home/themen/coronavirus.html
Information from Pro Helvetia
The Swiss cultural foundation Pro Helvetia has also set up an info hub with information updated on an ongoing basis: https://prohelvetia.ch/de/dossier/infopoint-covid-19
Informations from SonArt
Helpful information for musicians can also be found on the website of SonArt.
Emergency fund for cultural operators
You will find complete information about the Federal Government’s emergency fund for people operating in the cultural sector and the link for submitting applications for emergency aid on the website of Suisseculture at https://www.suisseculture.ch/index.php?id=207.
In a short animated film, Suisseculture explains how artists can get help during the coronavirus crisis.
