The Dürrenmatt Centre was officially inaugurated on 23 September 2000 at a ceremony attended by Federal Councillor Ruth Dreifuss.
A project committee was set up by the Confederation in January 1997 headed by the Federal Department of Finance. Based on estimates, the cost ceiling for the capital expenditure was set at CHF 6 million. Canton Neuchâtel contributed CHF 2 million, the Confederation CHF 3 million and private sponsors and patrons a further million.
The running costs are covered by the Confederation to which the city of Neuchâtel makes an annual contribution.
List of sponsors who contributed to the construction costs:
- City of Neuchâtel
- Canton Basel-Stadt
- Canton Bern
- Canton Zurich
- Crédit Suisse Jubilee Foundation
- Loeb AG Bern
- Loterie romande, Neuchâtel
- Migros Cooperative Association Zurich
- Société Coopérative Migros Neuchâtel-Fribourg
- Sandoz Family Foundation