What Photoforum Pasquart does

Photoforum Pasquart is an independent, non-profit photography competence centre founded in 1984 and headquartered in the Pasquart cultural complex at Seevorstadt 71, Biel/Bienne, Switzerland. It occupies the second floor of the Pasquart alongside three co-located institutions (Kunsthaus Biel, Filmpodium, Espace Libre) and operates as a member-driven association (Verein) governed by a voluntary committee. The organisation curates 6–8 exhibitions annually, hosts the Prix Photoforum open call (one of Switzerland's oldest dedicated photography prizes, established 1993, awarding CHF 5,000), runs a monthly Open Lab in partnership with the École d'Arts Visuels Berne et Bienne, and since 2025 has represented Switzerland in the European FUTURES network of 21 photography institutions.

Its core products and programmes include rotating exhibitions, the annual Prix Photoforum open call, the Open Lab community programme, FUTURES artist nominations, residencies developed with Pro Helvetia, exchange and mediation formats (guided tours, workshops, talks, school programmes), a tiered membership programme, and an online shop selling photography books priced CHF 26–64. There is no proprietary technology stack: digital operations rest on a Webflow-hosted website (refreshed in 2026 after a decade) and a Stripe-integrated e-commerce shop, with no app, API, or proprietary platform.

Revenue is generated through a hybrid of earned and contributed income: tiered annual memberships (CHF 30 students to CHF 500 donors), shop sales with a 20% commission on exhibition-period sales, Open Call entry fees (CHF 65 regular / CHF 35 students), public-sector support from the City of Biel, Canton of Bern, and surrounding municipalities, and philanthropic grants from foundations including Pro Helvetia, Dr. Georg und Josi Guggenheim-Stiftung, Stiftung Temperatio, SKKG, Migros Kulturprozent, and Burgergemeinde Bern. Five permanent staff execute operations alongside independent collaborators.

Name

Photoforum Pasquart

Legal name

Photoforum Pasquart

Website

https://photoforumpasquart.ch

Company type

Private

Founded year

1984

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Photoforum Pasquart is an independent Swiss non-profit photography institution founded 1984 in Biel/Bienne, curating 6–8 exhibitions annually, running the long-standing Prix Photoforum open call, Open Labs, and representing Switzerland in the FUTURES European network. It serves emerging and established photographers, schools, the general public, and member supporters via exhibitions, mediation programmes, and a photo-book shop.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Art Gallery & Cultural Institution

NAICS

Museums (71211), Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions (7121)

SIC

Services-Mailing, Reproduction, Commercial Art & Photography (7330)

akta.pro primary industry

Art Galleries & Exhibition Spaces (Commercial & Nonprofit) (THAJADAH)

akta.pro secondary industry

Media Arts & Film/Photography Nonprofits (BPAGAHAJ)

Keywords

• Photography exhibitions
• Contemporary art gallery
• Photography education
• Artist residency programs
• Art book publishing

Headquarters

HQ city

Biel/Bienne

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Revenue model

1. Membership fees: Annual membership fees provide recurring revenue. Tiered structure: individuals CHF 60, couples CHF 90, students CHF 30, enterprises/associations CHF 150, donors CHF 500. Members receive free entry to multiple institutions, discounts, and priority access to programmes.
2. Shop sales (photo books and publications): Sale of photography books and publications from artists and publishers the institution has collaborated with. Products sold via on-site purchase and online shop. Commission of 20% is taken on sales during exhibitions.
3. Open Call Prix Photoforum participation fees: Entry fee of CHF 65 for regular participants and CHF 35 for students/apprentices (with proof). Members of the association are exempt from fees. Revenue partially funds artist fees and prize money.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Photoforum Pasquart is a non-profit photography institution that curates and presents 6–8 contemporary photography exhibitions per year featuring emerging and established artists. It runs the annual Prix Photoforum open call competition (CHF 5,000 prize, est. 1993), operates an online shop selling photo books, hosts monthly Open Lab community darkroom sessions, and represents Switzerland in the European FUTURES photography network of 21 institutions.

Product overview

Photoforum Pasquart is an independent, non-profit photography competence center founded in 1984, operating as part of the Pasquart building in Biel/Bienne, Switzerland. The institution offers a unified platform of interconnected programs: six to eight annual exhibitions showcasing emerging to established photographers in all photographic forms (documentary, conceptual, experimental, camera-less, and digitally generated); the annual Prix Photoforum open call competition (CHF 5,000 prize) selecting 10-15 artists for collective exhibition; the European FUTURES network platform nominating two photographers annually; monthly Open Lab photography workshops; an online Shop selling photography books; Membership program offering free entry to partner institutions and priority access to programs; and Exchange & Mediation programs including workshops, guided tours, performances, and panel discussions. The institution positions itself as a forum for dialogue between photography, public, artists, and contemporary society, supporting photographers from early career to established practice.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Prix Photoforum: Annual photography prize established in 1993, featuring an open call for photographers with prize money of CHF 5,000
• Open Lab
• FUTURES
• Pasquart

Products and services

• Photography Exhibitions
• Prix Photoforum Open Call
• Open Lab
• Membership Program
• Online Photo Book Shop
• Exchange & Mediation Programs
• Work in Progress Sessions
• Encounter Events
• Artist Residencies
• FUTURES Network Programme

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 200 exhibitions produced since founding in 1984
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• FUTURES (European Photography Network)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025FUTURES is a European network of 21 influential photography institutions committed to long-term support for emerging photographers. Photoforum Pasquart has been a member since 2025, representing Switzerland alongside Photo Elysée Lausanne and Centre de la Photographie Genève. Participation is supported by Pro Helvetia. Each year, Photoforum nominates two artists who gain access to an international network and opportunities including open calls, publications, and portfolio reviews. Around 100 nominated artists from across Europe gather annually for a multi-day programme.
• Photo Elysée LausannecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor Swiss photography museum and national institution. Together with Photoforum Pasquart and Centre de la Photographie Genève, Photo Elysée represents Switzerland in the European FUTURES network. Members of Photoforum receive free entry to Photo Elysée.
• Centre de la Photographie GenèvecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGeneva-based photography institution and national reference. Together with Photoforum Pasquart and Photo Elysée Lausanne, represents Switzerland in the European FUTURES network. Members of Photoforum receive free entry.
• Kunsthaus Biel / Centre d'art BiennecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Kunsthaus Biel (Centre d'art Bienne) is co-located with Photoforum in the Pasquart building. The two institutions regularly collaborate on events and openings. The annual Summer Acts open day is co-organised. Members of Photoforum receive free entry to Kunsthaus Biel.
• École d'Arts Visuels Berne et BiennecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe École d'Arts Visuels Berne et Bienne is a partner in the monthly Open Lab programme, providing its photo lab space (Salzhausstrasse 18, Biel) for community photography workshops. This collaboration provides public access to a photographic darkroom that Photoforum alone could not maintain.
• Botanischer Garten Bern (Botanical Garden Bern)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAlexandra Baumgartner's exhibition 'How like a leaf I am' was presented both at Photoforum and as a guest installation at the Botanischer Garten Bern (September–November 2024). Adrian Möhl from the Botanical Garden co-led a guided tour of the exhibition.
• Hochschule der Künste Bern (Bern University of the Arts)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner collaborating on symposia, portfolio reviews (FUTURES Annual Event), and joint events. Sophie Huguenot, a photographer and head of the photography programme at the school, also serves on the Prix Photoforum jury.
• Camera Arts LuzernminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPhotoforum collaborates with Camera Arts Luzern on events such as the visit by Andrea Orejarena & Caleb Stein in 2025.
• Filmpodium Biel BiennecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-located with Photoforum in the Pasquart building. Filmpodium is one of four institutions sharing the same roof, collaborating on joint events such as the annual Summer Acts open day.
• Espace LibrecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-located with Photoforum in the Pasquart building. Part of the multi-institution venue that includes Kunsthaus Biel, Filmpodium, and Photoforum, collaborating on joint programming.
• Pool Collective / Swiss PhotomonthminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPhotoforum participates in the annual Swiss Photomonth and Pool Collective screenings, contributing to national photography events.
• Bieler Fototage (Biel Photography Days)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPhotoforum is a principal partner of the Bieler Fototage, contributing to the city's photography festival and strengthening local cultural programming.
• Pro Helvetia (Swiss Arts Council)coreOthersPro Helvetia provides funding support enabling Photoforum's participation in the FUTURES network and supports individual artists exhibiting at Photoforum (e.g., Tiziana Amico's project 'Zagara'). The foundation is a key supporter of the annual programme and individual exhibitions.
• Dr. Georg und Josi Guggenheim-StiftungcoreOthersPrivate Swiss foundation providing financial support for exhibitions and the annual programme at Photoforum. Mentioned as a supporter of multiple exhibitions including Virginie Rebetez, Tiziana Amico, and Alexandra Baumgartner.
• Stiftung TemperatiominorOthersFoundation supporting the annual programme 'handle with care'. One of several foundations sustaining Photoforum's yearly activities.
• Stiftung für Kunst, Kultur und Geschichte (SKKG)minorOthersFoundation supporting the annual programme and individual exhibitions.
• Migros KulturprozentminorOthersCultural funding initiative of Migros, Switzerland's largest retailer, supporting the exhibition 'How like a leaf I am' and its accompanying programme.
• Burgergemeinde BernminorOthersCivic foundation in Bern supporting the 'How like a leaf I am' exhibition and programme.
• Seed Carriers (transdisciplinary collective)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTransdisciplinary collective focused on civil society efforts to preserve seed diversity and share the stories of seeds. Collaborated with Alexandra Baumgartner and Photoforum on the exhibition 'How like a I like a leaf I am', contributing to reflection and dialogue on biodiversity challenges.
• Verein solidarité Femmes Biel/Bienne & RegionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWomen's association in Biel that co-hosted the 'Encounter: Zagara' event with Tiziana Amico and Photoforum, discussing gender-based violence, prevention, and the intersection of artistic practice and support work.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• Camera Arts Luzern: Photography-focused cultural institution in Lucerne that collaborates with Photoforum Pasquart on joint events (e.g., 2025 visit by Andrea Orejarena & Caleb Stein). Comparable in offering photography exhibitions and programming in a different Swiss region.

Emerging players

• C/O Berlin: Berlin-based exhibition space for photography and visual media. Comparable in its mission to showcase contemporary photography, support emerging artists, and provide educational programming around visual culture.
• Foam Amsterdam: Prominent European photography museum in Amsterdam known for showcasing emerging talent. Comparable to Photoforum in its focus on emerging and established photographers, curatorial depth, and publications programme.
• Le BAL: Parisian cultural institution dedicated to image-making in all its forms, including documentary, contemporary, and experimental photography. Shares Photoforum's curatorial ambition to explore photography as a social and cultural medium.
• Deichtorhallen Hamburg: Hamburg-based exhibition complex with a major photography programme (Haus der Photographie). Comparable in curating international contemporary photography exhibitions and supporting emerging artists through dedicated programming.

Others

• Kunsthaus Biel / Centre d'art Bienne: Sister institution co-located with Photoforum in the Pasquart building. While focused on contemporary art rather than photography specifically, the two collaborate on events and offer bundled memberships to mutual visitors.

Direct peers

• Centre de la Photographie Genève: Geneva-based photography institution serving as a national reference for contemporary photography. Together with Photoforum Pasquart and Photo Elysée, represents Switzerland in the FUTURES network.
• Fotomuseum Winterthur: Leading Swiss photography museum focused on contemporary and historical photography. Competes with Photoforum for the same pool of Swiss photography exhibitions, artists, and foundation funding.
• Photo Elysée: Major photography museum in Lausanne, one of Switzerland's principal photography institutions. Co-represents Switzerland in the FUTURES network alongside Photoforum Pasquart and offers reciprocal free entry to Photoforum members.

Broad incumbents

• Maison Européenne de la Photographie: Major European photography institution in Paris with a substantive permanent collection and exhibitions programme. Represents a more established European counterpart in the same photography exhibition and education space.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/photoforum-pasquart
• Instagraminstagram.com/photoforumpasquart

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Photoforum Pasquart