Vaudois Michael Kinzer is appointed director of Pro Helvetia

Pro Helvetia has its new director in the person of Vaudois Michael Kinzer. The head of the Culture Department of the City of Lausanne will succeed Philippe Bischof from Basel on July 1, 2025. The latter had resigned more than a year ago already, due to a romantic affair with a member of his management.

The foundation board unanimously chose Michael Kinzer, the press release states. “Michael Kinzer is perfectly qualified for the demanding tasks of this position,” comments its president, Michael Brändle. His deep experience in the field of politics and cultural promotion will enable him to best fulfill his mission.”

A unique opportunity

Reached by telephone, Michael Kinzer does not comment on his future position within the cultural foundation: “Its direction is not chosen on the basis of a personal project. Pro Helvetia plays a fundamental role in Switzerland, particularly in relation to the visibility of the country’s artistic creation in Switzerland and abroad. I am delighted to place my work in the continuity of what Philippe Bischof and his team are doing today.”

Before take the reins of the Culture Department in 2017Michael Kinzer was a club programmer, theater director, then director of the Festival de la Cité for seven years. He considers it normal to hand over after a certain time: “I would have liked to support the current legislature until its end, but an opportunity like the one that presented itself to me is unique. I am convinced that positions of responsibility benefit from being limited in their duration, he explains. Conducting the cultural policy of a city takes shape in line with the political orientation of the Municipality, but we also bring our own impulses to it. It is therefore important that changes allow other accents and promote a plural vision.

Many investments

Even if some of the latest additions to Lausanne culture are not doing as well as hopedthe Vaud capital has generally experienced growth in this area in recent years, even obtaining the international prize for “Emerging Cultural City” in 2022. “It is a pleasure to see that the extremely dynamic Lausanne scene has regained its public after the pandemic. All offerings combined – concerts, shows and events – there are 1 million spectators per year and as many visitors to museums. Our job is to support the scene and work for framework conditions that stimulate this development,” notes Michael Kinzer.

Under his leadership, Lausanne has notably invested in the renovation of key cultural venues, such as the Vidy Theater et the Capitole cinema. The City has also expanded its support for creation by opening itself specifically to cultural entrepreneurship, these small private structures which support the development of the scene and which are essential to it.

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