Intercultural initiative

Where

Sweden

When

2012

Key objectives of the measure:

Among other things, as a result of the intercultural year 2006 and to continue to promote ethnic and cultural diversity, in June 2008 the Swedish Arts Grants Committee, the Swedish National Touring Theatre, the Swedish Exhibition Agency, Intercult, the Multicultural Centre and Sprong received a special assignment to develop international networks and artistic exchange and promote international and intercultural diversity during the period 2008–2010. The purpose was to coordinate educational initiatives, increase the international and intercultural contacts of Swedish cultural organisations and artists, and to create better conditions for international funding and practice. In addition, the Swedish Arts Council was instructed to strengthen international and intercultural development and formulate a plan for international activities. In total, SEK 10 million was allocated annually for the tasks mentioned. The appropriation could be used for grant distribution, but it also made initiation and funding of strategic measures possible.

Main feature of the measure:

Together, these actors arranged, among other things, the conference ‘Konkret! – Methods for intercultural development’ which assembled the cultural sector to strengthen the exchange of experience and knowledge. A number of participants talked about their work to reach a broader audience, develop artistic quality and attract more competencies and perspectives.

Within the framework of the assignment, the Swedish Arts Council started a one-year mentor programme. The background to this is that it has been claimed that the cultural sector does not reflect the Swedish population and that it is difficult to enter its networks. The purpose of the mentor programme was to broaden networks and increase the exchange of experience. The Swedish Arts Council sought to attract people at the beginning of their careers to the programme, and particularly welcomed applicants with another ethnic background than traditional Swedish. The mentors were people with long experience of the cultural sector and were matched with the mentees according to their areas of interest. Eleven mentoring pairs were included in the programme, which continued until September 2011. An evaluation of the initiative will be presented in April 2012.

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