Gender equality in culture: a first in Ticino

Context

In brief

• Conference 'What kind of culture?' in Lugano on May 5, 2026
• Numerous and attentive participation
• Need to address equal opportunities in the cultural sector

Key facts

• What: Conference on equal opportunities in culture
• When: May 5, 2026
• Where: Asilo Ciani, Lugano
• Who: DECS and Equal Opportunities Service of the State Chancellery
• Cost: Not yet specified

The first conference 'What kind of culture?' took place on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, at Asilo Ciani in Lugano. It was organized by the Cultural Observatory of the Canton of Ticino of the Department of Education, Culture and Sport (DECS) and the Equal Opportunities Service of the State Chancellery. The event saw numerous and attentive participation, confirming a widespread interest and the need to address the issue of equal opportunities in the artistic and cultural sector in a structured way.

The opening speeches were given by Marina Carobbio Guscetti, State Councillor and Director of DECS, and Raoul Ghisletta, Municipal Councillor of the City of Lugano, who emphasized the importance of institutional commitment to building a more equitable, inclusive, and representative cultural system. The introductory intervention by Rachele Santoro, Delegate for Equal Opportunities, and Roland Hochstrasser, Head of the Office for Analysis and Digital Cultural Heritage, outlined a scenario where significant imbalances persist, particularly in access to funding, visibility of female artists, and their presence in decision-making roles.

Sessions and Interventions

The first seminar session featured representatives from SWAN – Swiss Women’s Audiovisual Network, Helvetiarockt, and the Swiss Society of Visual Arts Women (SSAA). The interventions highlighted the role of professional networks in supporting women's careers and countering exclusion dynamics, through concrete examples of mentoring, visibility platforms, and awareness initiatives.

The second session delved into interdisciplinary tools and approaches with the presentation of Le Carnet rose and the contribution of Pro Helvetia, the Swiss Foundation for Culture. In this context, the need to integrate the gender perspective into cultural policies in a cross-cutting manner emerged, adopting more inclusive funding criteria and decision-making processes.

Artistic Performance

The program was enriched by the dance reading 'It's already the end of the world, Yamanba' with Didí Garbaccio Bogin, Cecilia Francesca Croce, and Elisabeth Sassi, which offered an artistic reflection on the themes addressed during the conference.

Exhibition Space

During the event, the exhibition space facilitated direct encounters between various realities of the Swiss and Ticino cultural and artistic landscape, creating further opportunities for exchange among operators and institutions.

This first appointment, in line with the Cantonal Action Plan for Equal Opportunities 2024-2027 and the Cantonal Programmatic Guidelines for Cultural Policy 2024-2027, marks the beginning of a shared path that the Canton of Ticino intends to further develop, with the aim of translating the reflections emerged into concrete and lasting measures.

Operational details

Implications for Cross-Border Workers

The conference 'Che genere di cultura?' highlighted several implications for cross-border workers in the artistic and cultural sector in Ticino. The need to strengthen systematic data collection and integrate the gender perspective into cultural policies could have a significant impact on the visibility and funding opportunities for cross-border artist workers.

Access to Funding

One of the crucial points that emerged during the conference was access to funding. Cross-border artist workers could benefit from more inclusive funding criteria that take into account the specific challenges they face. This could include access to specific funds for cultural projects that promote gender equality.

Visibility and Decision-Making Roles

The visibility of female artists and their presence in decision-making roles were highlighted as areas for improvement. Cross-border workers in the cultural sector could find new opportunities for visibility through visibility platforms and awareness initiatives promoted by professional networks such as SWAN, Helvetiarockt, and the Swiss Society of Visual Arts (SSAA).

Mentoring and Professional Networks

Professional networks such as SWAN, Helvetiarockt, and the SSAA offer mentoring programs and visibility platforms that can be particularly useful for cross-border artist workers. These programs can help counteract exclusionary dynamics and support women's careers in the cultural sector.

Integration of the Gender Perspective

Integrating the gender perspective into cultural policies is a fundamental step towards creating a more equitable and inclusive cultural system. This could include adopting funding criteria and decision-making processes that take into account the specific needs of cross-border artist workers.

Next Steps

The conference marked the beginning of a shared path that the Canton of Ticino intends to develop further. Cross-border workers in the cultural sector can expect new funding, visibility, and participation opportunities in decision-making roles, in line with the Canton's Action Plan for Equal Opportunities 2024-2027 and the Canton's Programmatic Guidelines for Cultural Policy 2024-2027.

Recommended tools

For an updated estimate, use the net salary calculator and the CHF-EUR exchange comparator.

Key points

Concrete Actions for Cross-Border Workers

For cross-border workers in the cultural sector in Ticino, there are several concrete actions they can take to benefit from the opportunities highlighted at the conference.

Join Professional Networks

A fundamental step is to join professional networks such as SWAN, Helvetiarockt, and the Swiss Society of Visual Arts Women (SSAA). These networks offer mentoring programs, visibility platforms, and awareness initiatives that can help counteract exclusionary dynamics and support women's careers in the cultural sector.

Access Inclusive Funding

Cross-border workers can seek access to specific funds for cultural projects that promote gender equality. This could include accessing funds offered by Pro Helvetia, the Swiss Foundation for Culture, and other institutions that promote the integration of a gender perspective in cultural policies.

Participate in Awareness Initiatives

Participating in awareness initiatives can help promote the visibility of cross-border artists. This can include attending events such as the conference 'Che genere di cultura?' and other initiatives promoted by professional networks.

Utilize Visibility Platforms

The visibility platforms offered by professional networks can be a valuable tool to increase the visibility of cross-border artists. This can include participating in exhibitions, concerts, and other cultural initiatives that promote gender equality.

Monitor Cultural Policies

Cross-border workers can monitor the cultural policies of the Canton of Ticino to stay updated on new funding opportunities, visibility, and participation in decision-making roles. This can include participating in public consultations and other initiatives promoted by the DECS and the Equal Opportunities Service of the State Chancellery.

Conclusion

The conference 'Che genere di cultura?' highlighted several opportunities for cross-border workers in the cultural sector in Ticino. Joining professional networks, accessing inclusive funding, participating in awareness initiatives, utilizing visibility platforms, and monitoring cultural policies are concrete actions that can help promote gender equality and support women's careers in the cultural sector. For further information and useful tools, visit the salary calculator.

Source: tio.ch