Thanks to the active help of Maria Ceppi, board member of the ECAV Foundation, Hansjörg Wyss decided to create this scholarship in 2002, which as of now has so allowed 15 students from South Africa, Zambia, Mauritius and Chile undertake a Bachelor or a Master degree at the Ecole cantonale d’Art du Valais (ECAV). For the ECAV, this exchange program has brought exposure and dialogue with contemporary South African cultures, broadening our thought horizons and forming lasting links of friendship. 

ECAV selected some privileged institutions as partners. They will regularly submit recommendations for applicants: Wits University of Johannesburg, Funda College in Soweto; the Rockston Artists Collective Artists Studio part of the Triangle Arts Trusts in Lusaka, Zambia, affiliated to the Zambia Art Council and Zambian University of Lusaka; further more we are in contact with the Pro Helvetia Office of Cape Town / Johannesburg. Links with these institutions allow scholarship students to re-enter a network after theirs studies in Switzerland, thus finding interacting environments. 

This yearly scholarship allows us to invite 6 students regularly for a MA (Master of Arts in public spheres) or a Bachelor in visual arts. 

The selection of candidates is made with the collaboration of our partners mentioned above. 

All applicants for «Hans Joerg Wyss» scholarship must submit the following: 

• Application form duly completed
• Motivation letter
• Letter of recommandation from a teacher of home institution
• Your curriculum vitae
• Your portfolio of artistic works
• Copies of your diplomas
• Copy of your passport
• 1 photo

To apply for MA (Master of Arts in public spheres), please add: 

• A statement of educational objectives, including a project referring to the art in public spheres

The «Hans Joerg Wyss» scholarship covers: school fees, rent, material, as well as per diem costs. 

At the end of each school year, the beneficiary must furnish a personal report containing his comments, remarks and documentation of his work. At the end of his studies, the beneficiary will make a file, with texts and images of his work, for the school and will present an original work destined for the Hans-Joerg Wyss Foundation’s collection.

In case of behavior problems or if false information has been provided to the ECAV, payments may cease immediately. 

All application documents have to be sent by email to the following address:

[email protected]

Contact person: Patricia Comby

> via ecav.ch