The tasks of Pro Helvetia, the Swiss Arts Council, are set out in the Pro Helvetia Act passed on 17 December 1965:

• to preserve and maintain Switzerland's cultural identity with particular attention to folk culture;
• to promote cultural creativity on the basis of the conditions operative in the cantons, linguistic regions and cultural groupings;
• to encourage domestic cultural exchange among Switzerland's linguistic regions and cultural groupings;
• to foster cultural relations with other countries.

In fulfilling this mandate, Pro Helvetia pursues a policy based on encounters, partnerships and an attitude of mutual learning.

The Arts Council promotes the creation of works of music, literature, theatre and dance. It supports Swiss artists performing or exhibiting abroad. And it makes an active contribution to the renewal of folk culture in Switzerland.