Increased focus on private-sector funding for culture in the Nordic countries

“A clear difference concerns the existence of foundations that distribute funds for cultural purposes. Such funding is particularly significant in Denmark which, for example, contributes to Danish museums having a larger share of private-sector funding. Sweden, by contrast, has less funding from foundations, even compared with Finland and Norway,” explains Pelle Amberntsson, analyst at the Swedish Agency for Cultural Policy Analysis.

The sponsoring of culture has a relatively minor role in the Nordic Region, according to the new knowledge overview Private-sector funding of culture in the Nordic Region. In Norway, although there is a notable level of sponsorship for festivals, sponsorship revenues are low in traditional cultural forms, and the trend appears to be negative rather than positive. With regard to museums and the performing arts – two areas given particular focus in the overview – entrance and ticket revenues are often a central source of private income. This aligns well with the fact that household spending on culture represents an important element in the private-sector funding of culture in the Nordic Region.

With regard to political developments, the report shows that all the Nordic countries have started to emphasise the importance of private-sector funding for culture. However, there are differences in how far the countries have gone in implementing specific policy measures.

“Denmark has introduced tax deductions for corporate donations to a greater extent, while in Norway, between 2014 and 2021, there was a matching scheme where cultural organisations receiving private donations received additional financial support from the state. Finland now intends to introduce greater opportunities for tax deductions, while both matching systems and increased deduction opportunities for gifts and donations are currently being investigated in Sweden,” says Amberntsson.

However, the trend towards a greater emphasis on private-sector funding for culture is not unambiguous and also depends on the government in power. For example, the Norwegian government appointed in 2022 ended the matching scheme, citing that it led to a geographically uneven distribution of cultural policy funds and that public resources should not be used to benefit organisations that are particularly skilled at attracting private financiers. At the same time, political arguments across the Nordic countries refer to both artistic freedom and increased diversity as reasons to strengthen private-sector funding in the culture sector.

Research and policy studies highlight both potential advantages and disadvantages of stepping up the focus on private-sector funding for culture. The consequences depend, among other things, on how public-sector and overall funding for culture develops and how policymakers envision the balance between public and private-sector sources. That’s why the Swedish Agency for Cultural Policy Analysis is emphasising the need for careful consideration by policymakers.

“The Nordic countries’ cultural policies have long been characterised by a set of core values centred around artistic freedom, cultural diversity, and everyone’s opportunity to participate in cultural life. An increased focus on private-sector funding for culture involves both potential opportunities and risks in relation to these core values. We highlight this in the knowledge overview,” says Malin Weijmer, co-ordinator at the Swedish Agency for Cultural Policy Analysis.

The report “Private-sector funding of culture in the Nordic Region” is based on academic research, policy studies, and statistics on private-sector funding for culture. It also summarises political developments using relevant policy documents from the Nordic countries. The focus of the report is on the areas of art and culture that are central to cultural policy. The Swedish Agency for Cultural Policy Analysis is a Nordic knowledge centre for culture policy set up on behalf of the Nordic Council of Ministers.