Arts & Culture

Roche has actively cultivated and supported ground-breaking contemporary art and cultural projects since its formation in 1896. Today our philanthropic activities continue to reflect the vision and legacy of the founder’s family.

We support creative projects and activities that explore the parallels between innovation in art and in science, with a focus on music while also supporting the visual arts and architecture.

Roche Commissions

Launched in 2003, Roche Commissions awards a commission every two years for new musical works to a renowned contemporary composer. The composer is selected on the recommendation of the artistic directors of our partner institutions, especially the Lucerne Festival. The commissioned work is then premiered at the Lucerne Festival in summer.

A further expression of the partnership between Roche and the Lucerne Festival is the launch of Roche Young Commissions, which complements the Lucerne Festival Academy’s innovative Composer Project. Every two years, alternating with the on-going Roche Commissions programme, Roche will also commission two young composers to write orchestral works for the Lucerne Festival, commencing in 2015.

The outstanding works of music produced by Roche’s commissioned composers are an enduring expression of our commitment to innovation, both in science and in the arts.

Learn more at Roche Commissions

Roche Continents

Roche Continents, a collaboration with the Salzburg Festival, invites up to 100 university and college science and arts students from across Europe to attend contemporary music events during the festival and engage in an extensive experiential learning programme on creativity.

In addition, Roche sponsors the Salzburg Contemporary series which offers audiences a journey of discovery through the compositional and aesthetic universe of prominent 20th and 21st century composers.

Learn more at Roche Continents

Tinguely Museum

To mark its centenary in 1996, Roche donated a museum to its home city of Basel that features the work of Swiss sculptor Jean Tinguely. The museum, designed by world renowned Swiss architect Mario Botta, is located close to Roche headquarters, in Basel’s historic Solitude Park overlooking the Rhine River.

Learn more at Tinguely Museum