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Published on 8 July 2024

Art

Today, the Swiss Federal Art Collection comprises some 22,500 works of art and design objects, making it one of the most significant collections of Swiss art since the 19th century. The "Swiss Federal Decree on the Promotion and Elevation of Swiss Art" of 1887 represents the Collection's cornerstone, encouraging the annual acquisition of works by Swiss artists as a major policy tenet. Today, these acquisitions continue to be made according to Article 13 of the Culture Promotion Act, as well as Articles 5 and 10 of the Cultur Promotion Ordinance, upon recommendation by the Federal Art Commission.

On request from Swiss art museums joint acquisitions, joint acquisitions can also be made if the sale price of the work exceeds CHF 100,000. See:

FDHA Ordinance on the promotional framework 2017–2020 for Swiss prizes, Swiss Grand Awards and purchases (SR 442.123)

Thus endowing public collections with outstanding pieces by major Swiss artists.

A variable total credit avergaging CHF 200,000 is available each year for the acquisition of works by Swiss artists.

Federal Office of Culture

Museums and collections
Federal Art Collections
Hallwylstrasse 15
3003 Bern