Art provides a space for reflection and a lens through which to view the world in a different way. It enriches our lives and stimulates discussion. Baloise has been collecting art for many decades, driven by a desire to make a valuable contribution to its corporate culture and to society in general, rather than to seek a return on its investment. Baloise exhibits around 1,700 works from its collection in the Art Forum, which is open to the public on weekdays, and throughout its offices, meeting rooms, hallways and the exhibition areas on the ground floor of its new head office. 

Encouraging an understanding and enjoyment of art is as much a part of the corporate culture as fostering young and emerging talent, both by acquiring new pieces for the collection and by awarding the Baloise Art Prize.

The principle of supporting talent also underpins the exhibitions at Art Forum Baloise Park. Young curators are given access to Baloise’s premises for a period of six months to share their recently acquired expertise with a wider public. During this time, they are advised by experienced art advisor Frédérique Hutter. She succeeds Martin Schwander, who is passing on the mantle to the next generation after acting as an advisor to Baloise for more than 35 years.

In addition to the defined exhibition theme and the support of an experienced exhibition organiser, the young curators have a comprehensive structure at their disposal: a collection of 1,700 works of art (from which at least one piece is to be shown in the exhibition), professional art handling, documentation, advertising, the dissemination of information and related communications, all of which are part of Baloise’s commitment.

This new initiative to support young talent begins during Art Basel 2022 with an exhibition by Julia Hegi and Antonia Truninger. Baloise will hold the opening reception for the two young curators on Wednesday, 15 June 2022, from 6pm to 10pm, at Art Forum Baloise Park, Aeschengraben 33, Basel, Switzerland.