The Canton of Jura acted as godfather, muse and critical authority to the Arteplage Mobile du Jura in equal measure. From it, the Arteplage Mobile du Jura inherited the cosmopolitan and at the same time critical attitude - on 3 March 2002, the people of the Jura were among the most convinced supporters of joining the UN - but also the tradition of dissidence, the love of freedom and the subversive form of mischief. African poets and Berlin DJs, Swiss-German folk actors and artists from French-speaking Switzerland, German hackers and Austrian democrats met at the Arteplage Mobile du Jura. What was in demand was not national and regional confessions but independent positions beyond all borders: Pays ouvert.

The Arteplage Mobile du Jura was conceived and realised - as an internal Expo.02 project - by Swiss citizens from Zurich, the Jura, Neuchâtel, Bern, Geneva, Graubünden, Solothurn and Vaud, as well as a dramaturge from Germany and French architects. In the year before Expo.02, the content of the Arteplage Mobile du Jura was discussed step by step with the Service de la Coopération of the Canton of Jura. A Jura Support Committee consisting of personalities from the worlds of culture, politics and business contributed to the concept and supported the final programme of the Arteplage Mobile du Jura by a large majority.

Three of the twenty-one weeks of artistic activities were reserved exclusively for Jura productions: the afternoons were organised by Cours des Miracles from Delémont and in the evenings there was a cabaret by Loulou from Saignelégier. In addition, the Arteplage Mobile du Jura took part in the Jura Cantonal Day, emphasising its proximity to its sponsor.