OREANDA-NEWS.In the Budget Bill for 2018, the Government is increasing the budget for culture by SEK 745 million. This includes SEK 275 million to be invested in libraries and SEK 115 million in freedom of the arts. In addition, further investments will be made on democracy policy and anti-discrimination policy. The Budget Bill for 2018 is based on an agreement between the government parties and the Left Party.


"This is the largest increase ever in the budget for culture that any Minister for Culture has presented. The increase in the culture policy share of the central government budget is a historic victory for culture, which shows that this Government is committed to giving priority to the role of culture in our society," says Minister for Culture and Democracy Alice Bah Kuhnke.

A selection of culture policy initiatives in the Budget Bill for 2018

SEK 250 million for better libraries throughout the country

The Government proposes that SEK 250 million be allocated each year in 2018–2020 to increase the range and accessibility of library activities throughout the country. A total of SEK 25 million per year of this investment will be provided to the cultural cooperation model, which allocates funds to libraries and activities to promote reading and literature.

Digital library initiative to improve source criticism

In the Budget Bill for 2018, the Government proposes that the National Library of Sweden receive an extra SEK 25 million per year for three years. The aim is to improve people's digital skills and ability to critically appraise sources.

SEK 115 million to enhance freedom of the arts

To enhance freedom of the arts throughout the country, the Government proposes an investment totalling SEK 115 million per year in the Budget Bill for 2018. This investment represents an increase of the grants and remunerations allocated directly to artists, independent performing arts groups and cultural publications.

Sweden to get its first national stage for children and young people

The Government has decided to designate the 'Unga Klara' theatre company a national stage for children and young people. State support to the theatre company will amount to an estimated SEK 16.2 million in 2018, and then SEK 15.4 million per year.

SEK 10 million to a national cultural school centre

In the Budget Bill for 2018, the Government proposes an allocation of SEK 10 million to the Swedish Arts Council from 2018 for the establishment of a national cultural school centre at the agency. This investment will be made to enable the Swedish Arts Council to serve as a national hub.

The Government intends to strengthen architecture and design for sustainably shaped habitats

Architecture and design affect people every day. In the Budget Bill for 2018, the Government presents a proposal of increased funds to strengthen and develop the architecture and design area, and work on sustainably shaped habitats, of SEK 28 million per year in total for 2018–2020, and of SEK 5 million from 2021.

Government is investing in free genealogy research

The Government proposes that appropriations to the National Archives be increased by SEK 10 million from 2018 so the fees to access digital archive material can be removed. This will make some 100 million digital archive images freely available, reducing costs for private individuals who conduct genealogy or area research.

Ingmar Bergman centenary initiatives

On 14 July 2018, Ingmar Bergman would have celebrated his 100th birthday. He was one of Sweden's internationally most renowned and important artists ever. The Budget Bill for 2018 proposes allocating grants to the Royal Dramatic Theatre, the Ingmar Bergman Foundation, the F?r? Bergman Centre Foundation and the Swedish Film Institute for initiatives to highlight the centenary nationally and internationally.

The Government invests in new Nationalmuseum

The Government proposes that the Nationalmuseum be allocated SEK 65 million for 2018 and SEK 42 million per year from 2019. The one-time increase of SEK 23 million for 2018 is related to the increased costs in connection with Nationalmuseum's move into the renovated premises at Blasieholmen.

Conservation of cultural heritage to receive an additional SEK 25 million

In the Budget Bill for 2018, the Government proposes an increase of appropriations to the conservation of the cultural heritage by SEK 25 million a year from 2018. This investment means that the Government will improve conditions to enable cultural environment initiatives to address important objectives. Examples include the establishment of cultural reserves and making cultural environments accessible.

Investment in digital broadcasts in the performing arts

The Government proposes that SEK 15 million per year during 2018–2020 be allocated to the Royal Dramatic Theatre, the Royal Opera and the Swedish National Touring Theatre for investment in digital broadcasts of performances.

A selection of media policy initiatives in the Budget Bill for 2018

SEK 110 million for new media support

In the Budget Bill for 2018, the Government proposes allocating SEK 55 million to prepare an increased and long-term investment on local journalism and news coverage through a new form of media support starting in 2019. An additional SEK 55 million will be allocated from 2020.

Allocations to film will remain at the same level

The Government proposes that an additional SEK 25 million per year be allocated to film from 2020. This means the level of allocations to film will remain the same after 2019, when the special initiative on cinemas in rural areas and small towns is concluded.

A selection of democracy policy initiatives in the Budget Bill for 2018

Investments totalling SEK 85.1 million ahead of the 2018 general elections and the 2019 European Parliament elections

The percentage of people voting rose in the last three general elections. The same is also true for the past two European Parliament elections in Sweden. At the same time, large differences remain in voter turnout between different groups in the population and electoral districts. In the Budget Bill for 2018, the Government therefore proposes a number of measures totalling SEK 85.1 million to raise interest and participation in the 2018 and 2019 elections.

The Government to invest additional millions to safeguard the democratic dialogue against threats and hate

The democratic dialogue must not be limited by threats and hatred. The Government is therefore strengthening preventive efforts to safeguard the democratic dialogue against threats and hate by an additional SEK 5 million annually in 2018–2020. This is a further increase to the SEK 5 million per year for the period 2017–2020 that was allocated in the Budget Bill for 2017.

The Government wishes to support security-enhancing measures in civil society

Special measures will be conducted to support civil society's continued opportunities to spread knowledge, mobilise and strengthen capacity in human rights efforts, and to protect democracy.