Tanzhaus Zürich
Tanzhaus Zürich is a nonprofit production house founded in 1996 in Zürich, Switzerland, that presents contemporary dance performances, residencies, workshops, and community programs for local audiences, dancers, and choreographers, funded primarily by Swiss public cultural subsidies.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1996
- HeadquartersZürich, Switzerland
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What Tanzhaus Zürich does
Tanzhaus Zürich is a nonprofit cultural association (Verein) founded in 1996 in Zürich, Switzerland, and operates the city's leading production house for contemporary choreographic work. The organization supports dancers and choreographers across the full lifecycle of a production — thinking, rehearsing, producing, showing — and is described as the most important contemporary dance production house in Zurich and one of the most significant in Switzerland. Its core product portfolio includes live events/performances, multi-week trainings and courses, participatory workshops, artist residencies, the Show-Off platform for emerging choreographers, the Kompliz:innen (Accomplice) long-term artist partnership program selecting 2-5 artists per season, mediation/outreach into schools and neighborhoods, the Tanzhaus young youth and children's programming, and studio/venue rental. The venue is located at Wasserwerkstrasse 127a in Zürich and also houses the Café/Bar Nude gastronomy operation run by Sheila Lopardo. The GTM motion is event-driven, centered on presenting productions and engaging the local Zurich community through performances, open trainings, introductions, post-show talks and outreach.
The business model blends public cultural subsidies with diversified earned revenue. Primary funding flows from Stadt Zürich Kultur, Fachstelle Kultur Kanton Zürich, and Pro Helvetia (Swiss Arts Council), complemented by a confirmed four-year City of Zurich funding commitment for the Criptonite program covering 2024-2028. Earned revenue streams include ticket sales on a three-tier solidarity pricing model (CHF 35 / CHF 25 / CHF 15), seasonal subscriptions (CHF 350 / CHF 250 / CHF 150), studio rental to external artists, pay-what-you-want workshops, and on-site gastronomy. Distribution is omnichannel: online ticket sales via Eventfrog, on-site box office, school partnerships (schule&kultur, Stadt Zürich Schulkultur), newsletters in German and English, and Instagram/LinkedIn for audience engagement. Pricing features extensive accessibility provisions including free tickets for companions of visitors with disability, permit N/F/S holders, and discounts for students, KulturLegi and IV-Ausweis holders.
The organization is led by co-directors Lisa Letnansky and Guillaume Guilherme since the 2026/2027 season, succeeding Catja Loepfe who developed the Accomplice model in 2024. A board composed of representatives from culture, politics and business — co-presided by Sonja Hägeli and Thomas Grünebler — sets strategic direction. Headcount is approximately 11 per firmographics (with a broader named team of around 17), spanning production management, technical direction, curation, mediation, communication, administration, dance education, and maintenance. Strategic partnerships span Swiss academic institutions (ZHdK, Manufacture Lausanne), national networks (Reso Tanznetzwerk Schweiz, Pro Helvetia, Migros-Kulturprozent Steps, ZÜRICH TANZT), accessibility advisors (Pro Infirmis, Apfelschule, ZAK), and European dance networks (Aerowaves, EDN). The organization has no parent company, no subsidiaries, no funding rounds, and is not publicly traded; ownership is community-oriented with no private shareholders.
Tanzhaus Zürich firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Tanzhaus Zürich
- Legal name
- Tanzhaus Zürich
- Website
- https://tanzhaus-zuerich.ch
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1996
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Tanzhaus Zürich is a nonprofit production house founded in 1996 in Zürich, Switzerland, that presents contemporary dance performances, residencies, workshops, and community programs for local audiences, dancers, and choreographers, funded primarily by Swiss public cultural subsidies.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Tanzhaus Zürich industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Performing Arts / Contemporary Dance Production
- NAICS
- Dance Companies (711120), Fine Arts Schools (61161)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Contemporary & Modern Dance (MPAGADAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Dance Education (Ballet, Contemporary, Hip-Hop, Cultural Dance) (EDAMAAAH), Dance Theatre (Narrative/Experimental) (MPAGADAC), Dance Festivals & Dance Series (MPAGADAJ)
Keywords
Where Tanzhaus Zürich is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Zürich
- HQ country
- Switzerland
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Tanzhaus Zürich business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others
Revenue model
- Ticket Sales: Revenue from selling tickets for performances, workshops, and events. Three-tier pricing model: Solidarity (CHF 35), Regular (CHF 25), Budget (CHF 15).
- Public Funding: Supported by City of Zurich Kultur, Canton of Zurich Fachstelle Kultur, Pro Helvetia, and other public cultural foundations.
- Gastronomy: Café/Bar Nude operated by Sheila Lopardo, providing food and beverage service.
- Studio Rental: Rental of studios and studio time to artists and groups.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Solidarity ticket - full price supporting accessibility |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Regular ticket - standard admission |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Budget ticket - reduced price for accessibility |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | DanceAbility workshop - suggested price |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Groove Your Labour - pay what you want |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | COOL-Tur holiday program for children |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels8 records
Tanzhaus Zürich product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Tanzhaus Zürich is a production house for contemporary dance that supports dancers and choreographers through all phases of their work — thinking, rehearsing, producing, showing, and moving forward. It presents live contemporary dance performances, runs multi-week trainings and participatory workshops, hosts artist residencies, operates the Show-Off platform for emerging choreographers, and runs the Accomplices (Kompliz:innen) long-term partnership model alongside youth/children's programs, school outreach, and inclusive DanceAbility workshops.
Product overview
Tanzhaus Zürich is a production house for contemporary choreographic work offering a portfolio of interconnected programmes: live events and performances showcasing dance productions; regular trainings and courses for skill development; participatory workshops; artist residencies; the Show-Off platform for emerging choreographers; the Accomplices Model for long-term artist partnerships; mediation/outreach into schools and communities; Tanzhaus young for youth and children's programming; and venue rental services. The venue also houses Café/Bar Nude for on-site gastronomy.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Events/Performances (Veranstaltungen) Contemporary dance performances and theatrical productions presented at Tanzhaus Zürich, featuring local and international choreographers and dance companies. Open to the general public as ticketed performances.
- Trainings & Courses (Trainings & Kurse) Regular dance classes and training sessions spanning multiple weeks or semesters, offering instruction in various contemporary dance techniques for all skill levels, for dancers and the general public.
- Workshops & On Top (Workshops & Zugaben) Participatory workshops led by artists, offering opportunities to try new movements and working methods, including the 'On Top' label for events surrounding the main programme. Available to the general public and dancers.
- Residencies Artist residencies where choreographers work at Tanzhaus Zürich for several days or weeks developing new ideas or pieces, with work shared at the end through sharings. For professional and emerging dance artists.
- Show-Off Platform Show-Off is Tanzhaus Zürich's platform for emerging talent, where young choreographers develop new short pieces over three weeks and present their work to an audience for the first time. For emerging choreographers.
- Accomplices Model (Kompliz:innen-Modell) Long-term partnership programme where artists accompany and help shape Tanzhaus Zürich over extended periods (2 to 5 artists/groups selected per season), developing projects together and bringing their ideas into the house. For professional and emerging dance artists.
- Mediation (Vermittlung) Outreach programme bringing dance from Tanzhaus Zürich into schools, neighborhoods and community spaces, creating encounters with dance beyond the venue. For schools, neighborhood groups, and community partners.
- Tanzhaus Young Programme for children, youth and school classes including performances, courses and projects where young people discover and experience dance. Includes the COOL-Tur holiday program for children ages 7-12.
- Venue Rental (Vermietung und Studiozeit) Rental of studios and rehearsal spaces for external artists and companies, supporting the broader dance community. Also includes residency apartment rentals. For dance artists and groups.
- Café/Bar Nude On-site gastronomy operated by Sheila Lopardo and team, offering drinks, snacks and seasonal menu, located by the Limmat river adjacent to the main venue. Open to venue visitors and the public.
- DanceAbility Workshop Inclusive dance workshops using the DanceAbility method, accessible to everyone regardless of ability. Led by Manuela Runge, Corina Arbenz, and Jeanine Elsener. Suggested price CHF 20 (pay-what-you-want), payment on site.
- COOL-Tur Holiday Program Holiday program for children offered as part of Tanzhaus young, with tiered pricing (CHF 350 / CHF 70 per day regular; CHF 120 with KulturLegi; CHF 20 solidarity for financially disadvantaged).
Companies that use Tanzhaus Zürich
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Tanzhaus Zürich technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Tanzhaus Zürich partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
19 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.
- Reso – Tanznetzwerk SchweizcoreSwiss Dance Network providing artistic support, touring circuits, and RESO label for productions.
- Zürcher Hochschule der Künste (ZHdK)majorAcademic partnership with Zurich University of the Arts for student programs and artistic collaboration.
- Manufacture LausannemajorPartnership with La Manufacture performing arts school for education and artist development.
- BlickfelderminorCultural event collaboration.
- Breakthrough International Breakdance FestivalminorInternational breakdance festival partnership.
- Fabriktheater Rote FabrikminorCollaboration with Rote Fabrik cultural center.
- Gessnerallee ZürichminorTheater venue collaboration.
- Migros-Kulturprozent Tanzfestival StepsmajorPartnership with Migros percentage for culture supporting Steps dance festival.
- ZÜRICH TANZTmajorMajor Zurich dance festival collaboration.
- Zürcher Theater SpektakelminorTheater festival collaboration.
- AerowavesminorEuropean dance network for emerging artists.
- ASSITEJ SchweizminorSwiss association for children's and young people's theatre.
- EDN European Dance Development NetworkminorEuropean network for dance development.
- TanzPlan OstmajorAssociated artist program for Eastern Switzerland.
- NudemajorCafé/Bar Nude operated by Sheila Lopardo providing on-site gastronomy. Partnership for hospitality services to venue visitors.
- One Planet LabminorSustainability initiative collaboration.
- Pro InfirmisminorAccessibility consulting partner providing translations into Easy Language (Leichte Sprache), level A2/B1.
- Apfelschule & ZAKminorAccessibility advisors for website redesign: Apfelschule and Zurich Accessibility Kultur (ZAK).
- Musée VisionnaireminorMuseum collaboration for COOL-Tur holiday program about Harald Naegeli.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Tanzhaus Zürich competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Fabriktheater Rote Fabrik: Zurich cultural center hosting contemporary performance, dance, and theater alongside music programming. Listed as a direct collaboration partner of Tanzhaus Zürich and operates within the same city's independent performing arts ecosystem.
- Gessnerallee Zürich: Zurich-based performing arts venue presenting contemporary dance, theater, and performance. Listed as a direct collaboration partner of Tanzhaus Zürich and operates a similar venue-based production model in the same city and category.
- Kaserne Basel: Performing arts venue in Basel hosting contemporary dance, theater, and music productions with resident companies and international touring acts. Shares the venue-based production and residency model used by Tanzhaus Zürich.
- Südpol Luzern: Swiss venue in Lucerne dedicated to contemporary dance, theater, and performance. Operates a comparable program structure with residencies, productions, and community engagement, making it one of the closest direct peers within Switzerland.
- PACT Zollverein: Essen-based venue for contemporary dance, performance, and visual arts with international residencies and co-productions. Closely parallels Tanzhaus Zürich's combination of production house, residency apartments, and community-focused programming.
- Dampfzentrale Bern: Cultural venue in Bern presenting contemporary dance, theater, and performance alongside festivals. Comparable venue-based model with public funding and a multi-disciplinary performing arts mandate.
- Théâtre Sévelin 36: Lausanne-based venue dedicated to contemporary dance and emerging choreographic work. Closely comparable in scope to Tanzhaus Zürich, serving the French-speaking Swiss dance ecosystem with productions and residencies.
- Kampnagel Hamburg: International performing arts venue in Hamburg with a strong contemporary dance and performance program, residencies, and community mediation work. Operates a comparable integrated production/residency/outreach model to Tanzhaus Zürich at larger European scale.
Broad incumbents
- Sadler's Wells: London's flagship dance venue presenting contemporary dance at significantly larger scale with international touring, co-productions, and digital distribution. Represents the broader incumbent reference point for dance venue programming models.
Regional players
- ADC — Association Danse Création: Geneva-based dance association and production platform supporting contemporary choreographers with residencies, productions, and touring. Comparable to Tanzhaus Zürich's function for the French-speaking Swiss dance scene, but operates in a different geography.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Tanzhaus Zürich social profiles
Digital presenceTanzhaus Zürich financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Tanzhaus Zürich leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles18 records
Tanzhaus Zürich funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Tanzhaus Zürich M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Tanzhaus Zürich
What does Tanzhaus Zürich do?
Tanzhaus Zürich is a production house for contemporary dance that supports dancers and choreographers through all phases of their work — thinking, rehearsing, producing, showing, and moving forward. It presents live contemporary dance performances, runs multi-week trainings and participatory workshops, hosts artist residencies, operates the Show-Off platform for emerging choreographers, and runs the Accomplices (Kompliz:innen) long-term partnership model alongside youth/children's programs, school outreach, and inclusive DanceAbility workshops.
Is Tanzhaus Zürich a public or private company?
Tanzhaus Zürich is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Tanzhaus Zürich founded?
Tanzhaus Zürich was founded in 1996. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Tanzhaus Zürich based?
Tanzhaus Zürich is headquartered in Zürich, Switzerland, in the Europe region.
How does Tanzhaus Zürich make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Ticket Sales are the primary driver. The others are public Funding, gastronomy and studio Rental.
Who are Tanzhaus Zürich's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Fabriktheater Rote Fabrik, Gessnerallee Zürich, Kaserne Basel, Südpol Luzern, PACT Zollverein, Dampfzentrale Bern, Théâtre Sévelin 36 and Kampnagel Hamburg. Sadler's Wells is listed as a broad incumbent. ADC — Association Danse Création is listed as a regional player.
Does Tanzhaus Zürich have an API?
No public API is recorded for Tanzhaus Zürich.
What industry is Tanzhaus Zürich in?
Tanzhaus Zürich's product category is Performing Arts / Contemporary Dance Production. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAGADAB, Contemporary & Modern Dance, with a secondary code of EDAMAAAH, Dance Education (Ballet, Contemporary, Hip-Hop, Cultural Dance). Its NAICS code is 711120.