Founded on May 7th, 1986, the Swiss Institute was officially registered with the State and City of New York as an independent, not-for-profit organization on September 12th, 1986. The Swiss Center Foundation provided important support helping the Swiss Institute to start its program. In 1990, though the Swiss Institute is not affiliated with the Swiss government, the Swiss government agreed to give the Institute an annual contribution, in addition to the amount already awarded by Pro Helvetia, the Art Council of Switzerland. Both contributions were and continue to be approved by a committee of experts. Between June 30, 1992 and June 30 1995, corporate contributions more than doubled. In 1994, the Institute moved to a large loft in SoHo, in the center of the New York art scene, where there is an interested art audience. The loft's raw space was constructed to museum-standard specifications by architects Pagamenta & Torriani.

The Swiss Institute has grown from a showcase of Swiss art and artists for a mostly Swiss audience, into an innovative international venue for art that provides a significant forum for cultural dialogue between Switzerland, Europe, and the United States. This unique angle fosters the interaction between the Swiss and the many other communities and nationalities found in New York City. The result is a distinctive view of art and a way of thinking which asks audiences to break with traditional assumptions about art and national stereotypes.

Swiss Institute

Maja Hoffmann

Sam Keller

Alison Coplan

The Trustees and Committee Team at Swiss Institute is responsible for the governance and strategic direction of the organization. This team oversees financial sustainability, secures funding, and provides expert guidance on curatorial and programmatic decisions, ensuring that the Institute remains a vital platform for cultural dialogue and innovative art showcases.

Trustees and Committee Team

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Team members

Other teams at Swiss Institute

Education Team

Curatorial Team