The BINZ39 Foundation was founded in 1983 by Henry F. Levy with the idea of offering artists free space. The supported artists find such free space in the studios made available to them.
The BINZ39 Foundation is primarily concerned with the artistic visual language - but also supports the dialogue between the various art disciplines. In addition, it facilitates the confrontation between art and science.
The BINZ39 Foundation is the initiator and sponsor of an extensive program of studio residencies, exchange programs, exhibitions, interdisciplinary events and contact networks of art and culture professionals in Zurich, Switzerland and abroad. It makes a significant contribution to the promotion of young artists in particular.
The BINZ39 Foundation runs a total of 42 studios in the city of Zurich. Of these, six scholarship studios are awarded at Sihlquai 133 for a period of two years and an additional project studio for a period of four months. The other studios, located at Binzstrasse 39 and Räffelstrasse 25, are awarded by the Foundation at a low rent.
However, the BINZ39 Foundation does not limit itself to offering studios. The exhibition space at Sihlquai 133 - which has long been one of the high-profile exhibition venues in the city of Zurich - serves to make visible and present current artistic creation. Over a period of around 20 years, the BINZ39 Foundation has promoted artistic and cultural exchange with European countries, especially Eastern Europe, but also with the USA. Since 2018, the BINZ39 Foundation has made a studio available to the Dr. Georg and Josi Guggenheim Foundation, which is used by the Foundation's award winners as part of an exchange program between Switzerland and the Middle East.