About the Swedish Arts Council

The Swedish Arts Council is a government authority whose principal task is to implement national cultural policy determined by the Parliament. The Council distributes state funding for arts and culture, provides the Government with data to inform cultural policy decisions and spreads information about culture and cultural policy.

Our Mission

Our mission is based on the national cultural policy objectives, decided by the Swedish Parliament. The objectives state that: “Culture is to be a dynamic, challenging and independent force based on the freedom of expression. Everyone is to have the opportunity to participate in cultural life. Creativity, diversity and artistic quality are to be integral parts of society’s development.”

Some of our special government remits are to promote the role of culture for freedom of expression and democratisation, as well as to promote the expansion of safe havens for persecuted artists. We are the national focal point for UNESCO’s 2005 Convention and promote artistic freedom globally through a partnership with the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida).