At the very highest level. Strengthening cultural excellence.
Through long-term partnerships, the Kühne Foundation strengthens the excellence and relevance of cultural institutions. It focuses primarily on projects in the fields of classical music and opera, and on supporting emerging artists.
For decades, the Kühne Foundation has been supporting renowned opera houses and concert halls, leading classical music festivals in Europe and regional cultural initiatives. It has been supporting the Salzburg Festival since 2013, in particular through the “Young Singers Project”; since 2019 it has been one of its main sponsors. The Foundation has also been involved with the Lucerne Festival since 2008. Since 2020, it has been a main sponsor and partner of the “Lucerne Festival Orchestra”.
As one of the first supporters of the Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg, the Kühne Foundation supported its construction, the initial concert program and the opening festival, as well as the International Music Festival Hamburg from 2014 to 2020. Since 2021, it has been a ‘Principal Sponsor’ of the Elbphilharmonie.
For more than 30 years, the Kühne Foundation and its founder have supported the Zurich Opera House. The newly established Kühne Academy offers a high-caliber further education program for singers and aspiring general directors of opera houses.
With the project announced in 2025 to build a new opera house designed by star architect Bjarke Ingels and to donate it to the city of Hamburg, the Kühne Foundation is underlining its commitment to culture. It had already been providing regular support to the Hamburg State Opera.
In Switzerland the Foundation is also involved in local projects; it has been supporting the ‘Musiksommer am Zürichsee’ for many years and has, amongst other things, funded the renovation of St Meinrad’s Chapel and the construction of the Landslide Museum in Goldau.
The Kühne Foundation supports festivals, cultural institutions, selected productions, orchestras and international programs for young talent.
As part of the "Young Singers Project", which is supported by the Kühne Foundation, selected young talents receive comprehensive artistic training.
The “Lucerne Festival Orchestra”, which is supported by the Kühne Foundation, brings together internationally renowned musicians every summer.
As a “Principal Sponsor”, the Kühne Foundation provides long-term support to the Elbphilharmonie; the Kühne Foundation’s concert takes place once a year.
The Kühne Foundation supports selected opera productions and works closely with the International Opera Studio, a training center for young singers.
In collaboration with the Zurich Opera House, the Foundation is developing a professional development program for singers and future general directors, with the aim of enhancing artistic excellence and leadership skills.
In Hamburg, the foundation is building a new opera house, which it will donate to the city upon completion; at the same time, it regularly supports productions at the State Opera.