The Loc.Artium association was founded in 2020 with the aim of supporting young musical talents through innovative, interdisciplinary, national, and international projects. Activities are aimed particularly at students at the end of their studies, but also at young musical talents from across Switzerland, and rely on close cooperation with established festivals for the final concerts that form each project’s highlight. Thanks to support from committed foundations such as the Hirschmann Foundation, Accentus Foundation, FONDATION SUISA, and the Ruth Burkhalter Foundation for the Promotion of Young Musical Talents, Loc.Artium has been able to realize numerous high-level masterclasses and artistic projects since its founding.

For its projects, Loc.Artium works with trusted professionals from the music world. Since launching the masterclasses, the association has secured the support of many composers, especially from Switzerland: Fabian Müller, Klaus Ospald, Xavier Dayer, Philippe Racine, Jörg Widmann, Richard Dubugnon, Oscar Bianchi, Daniel Schnyder, Till Löffler, Felix Baumann and Daniel Fueter.

The masterclasses are also shaped and supported by renowned musicians with strong pedagogical expertise. The interplay between composers, performing musicians, and young participants creates an inspiring working environment.

Educational and artistic approach

Chamber music is the common thread running through all Loc.Artium activities. Regardless of the venue or timing, making music together in small groups is central. In this context, technique, interpretation, creativity and expressive ability, as well as stage presence and improvisation skills, are fostered. Project leadership can respond to participants’ individual needs and help them realize their full potential.

Another key feature of the projects is their artistic and technical interdisciplinarity: light and video art and digital tools, as well as art forms such as literature (e.g., readings) and dance, are integrated as appropriate.

The projects take place at carefully selected, inspiring locations that provide an ideal platform for focused work and intensive exchange. In this way, formative key experiences emerge for the young talents’ personal and artistic development.

In summary

• We foster top emerging talent through masterclasses, intensive workshops, and concert performances.
• We preserve and renew musical heritage by bringing it into dialogue with contemporary creativity.
• We connect Switzerland’s language regions with each other and internationally through collaborations with leading artists and festivals.

Financing

To finance Loc.Artium projects, we seek support from charitable foundations, patrons, and public institutions. This support is complemented by self-generated income (ticketing, Friends Circle contributions, and participation fees).

The fact that our projects take place in changing locations and vary widely in theme also relates to the supporting institutions. This heterogeneity reflects, on one hand, the lives of musicians, who perform and develop in ever-new artistic universes. On the other hand, it respects the profiles of the supporting foundations: each foundation that contributes financially to Loc.Artium’s projects has its own identity. For these institutions, we design tailor-made projects aligned with their values, target groups, and parameters. This form of collaboration has proven its worth and has become an important part of Loc.Artium’s artistic signature.

Board of the Association Loc.Artium

Valérie Probst, President

Valérie Probst was born in southwestern France and has been living in Switzerland since 1990. She is the mother of four children and served as Managing Director of the Swiss Youth Music Competition Foundation from 2008 to 2025. Since 2019, she has also been the Managing Director of the Ruth Burkhalter Foundation for the Promotion of Young Musical Talent. Since 2012, she has also been responsible for the annual music promotion projects carried out in collaboration with the Hirschmann Foundation, Tonhalle Zurich, and Lucerne Festival.

Marianne Engeloch, Treasurer

Marianne Engeloch lives in Bern. A former teacher, she has always been passionately committed to young people. Together with her music-enthusiast husband, she supported young musicians for many years. She is very pleased to be part of the Loc.Artium association and to help shape and accompany its many projects.

Erich Zumstein, Member

Erich Zumstein is the Director of the Zurich Music School Conservatory (MKZ) and has been active for many years in the fields of education and culture. With his experience in the strategic leadership of cultural institutions and his dedication to supporting young musicians, he brings valuable insights to the Loc.Artium association. Supporting young musical talent and further developing professional training structures are matters particularly close to his heart.

Founding Members

Maurice Steger, Alfons Loher, Rudolph Engeloch, Alice Loher