Time to increase support for independent culture
Economic conditions for the free professional cultural operators have become increasingly tougher. Now is the time to increase support for them, writes the Director General and the Chairman of the Swedish Arts Council in the Swedish newspaper Svenska Dagbladet. Today, on March 1, the Arts Council deliver their budget documents to the government. The Arts Council's priorities for the next three years is clear: it is time to increase support for the independent cultural sphere. Funding have not been upgraded for many years and remuneration and salaries paid to cultural operators has therefore gradually been eroded.
The government has taken several initiatives to increase the availability of culture in the country and reach out to more. The major investment in music and culture schools and "Äga Rum" that the Arts Council carries out together with Statens Konstråd are two examples. None of these efforts, however, directed to one of the most vital parts of Sweden's cultural life - the free professional cultural operators. Among free agents are artistic spearheads rejuvenates the other arts.