Institution

Founded in 1971, Fotostiftung Schweiz is a private non-profit foundation, devoted to preserving, researching and conveying photographic works. It primarily collects photographic works related to Switzerland (Helvetica), from the beginnings of photography to the present day. In so doing, it incorporates artistic forms of expression, as well as documentary, applied and private forms of photography. With four to six exhibitions each year, Fotostiftung Schweiz presents important positions in current and historical photography. In addition to the exhibitions on its own premises in Winterthur, it regularly shows works from its collection in Swiss and international museums.
Fotostiftung Schweiz is actively involved in the imparting of knowledge. By means of mediation formats for schools and private individuals, it enhances visual literacy and competence for a responsible and critical approach to photographic images. It releases monographic or themed publications, so as to make the photographers it represents known to a broader public. Moreover, for its own publications on photography’s history or for contributions to specialist journals, it conducts research into the history of Swiss and international photography. It operates an online database, in which it makes its digitised holdings accessible for research and available for use.
Together with Fotomuseum Winterthur, Fotostiftung Schweiz runs a specialised public library with over 30,000 publications on the subject of photography.