Musikbüro Basel scraps the Basler Pop-Preis from 2027

Musikbüro Basel is scrapping the Basler Pop-Preis, the schools programme ‘…macht Schule’, a budget for diversity and inclusion and the TransHelvetiQ residency.¹ It announced the cuts on 9 November 2026.¹ According to Bajour, they apply from 2027.³ The advice budget falls from CHF 20,000 to CHF 5,000 by 2028, and Musikbüro is disbanding its external advice team.^1,2

The cantonal government of Basel-Stadt (Regierungsrat) is asking the cantonal parliament (Grosser Rat) for around CHF 1.5 million a year for 2027 to 2030.² The exact figure is CHF 1,491,840, the same as in 2026.² Musikbüro had asked for CHF 594,650 more a year, mainly for its RegioSoundCredit and its programme funding for clubs.² According to Bajour, Basel-Landschaft is cutting its contribution from CHF 220,000 to CHF 80,000 a year, with CHF 150,000 in the transition year 2027.³ From 2028, pop musicians from Basel-Landschaft will apply for funding directly to the canton, Bajour reports.³

Musikbüro is leaving programme funding and Business-Support for music SMEs largely untouched.¹ It wants to protect the RegioSoundCredit as far as possible.¹ It presents the Basler Pop-Preis on 13 November 2026 at the Sudhaus.¹

Next step: the Grosser Rat of Basel-Stadt will first discuss the proposal in committee, where Musikbüro intends to push for an increase.^1,3