Sustainability

Art

Baloise believes that art and culture make life more interesting and form an important part of society which we support.

"For me, sustainability means using limited resources of all types in a careful and sparing manner. Individual people usually think that their actions cannot have a big impact among the masses. However, this is a mistaken way of thinking if everyone thinks in the same way. This quote from Neil Armstrong fits well in this case: ’That's one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind.’"

Lucca Achermann, Baloise Bank SoBa

Baloise’s commitment to art

  1. Art collection
  2. Collection concept
  3. Art Forum
  4. Baloise Art Prize
  5. Contact

Baloise laid the foundation for its art collection at a time when it was by no means normal for companies to engage in such activities. Since it first began collecting art in the immediate post-war period, Baloise has remained true to its belief that the company's works of art should be accessible both to employees and visitors.

Baloise displays its collection in foyers, corridors, meeting rooms and offices, with a large number of works on show in publicly accessible reception rooms at its group headquarters.

The Baloise art commission, which comprises six art-loving employees and one external consultant, supplements the collection with specifically targeted purchases. The items are purchased proactively on an ongoing basis. The art commission therefore politely requests that artists and galleries do not submit any works, portfolios or project concepts, etc.

Baloise collects contemporary art. Purchases focus on works on paper by contemporary artists. Works on paper include drawings, gouaches, watercolors, oil on paper, collages and photographic works. These are fully recognised artistic media, which form part of the significant artistic statements of the modern day.

In the Baloise Art Forum themed exhibitions from the Baloise art collection are presented to the public, sometimes complemented by related works on loan.

Isabelle Guggenheim reports on episode #30 of the Baloise JobCast (only in German) about Baloise’s connection to art, about the Baloise Art Prize and about how art can enrich our lives.

The Baloise Art Forum mounts themed public exhibitions featuring works taken from the Baloise collection and sometimes also relevant loan works. It also hosts talks with artists and runs guided tours for employees and external groups. The rooms of the Art Forum are reserved exclusively for the purpose of displaying the company's own collection. Every year two exhibitions are mounted.

Every year since 1999 the Baloise Group has awarded two young artists its Baloise Art Prize. It is Baloise's way of supporting the development of young, rising talents.

The Baloise Art Prize has become a prestigious accolade. The awards are presented to the winning artists and galleries at the high-profile Art Basel international fair. In addition to this publicity, the artists are also given the opportunity to have their works displayed in a distinguished art museum. Baloise invites it top customers to these endowment events and uses them to strengthen links with the local cultural media.

Many of the previous prize winners are now leading lights in the international art scene and act as cultural ambassadors for their country at the Venice Biennale.

Find out more on baloiseartprize.com

Portrait Isabelle Guggenheim

Isabelle Guggenheim

Head Art & Cultural Engagement

Phone

+41 58 285 74 71

Email

isabelle.guggenheim@baloise.com

Baloise Art-Prize

Find out more