Major reforms in prospect for Nordic cultural cooperation

Half of existing cultural institutions will be closed

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Nordic cultural cooperation will be in turmoil when the Nordic ministers of culture reach a decision in Reykjavik tomorrow on the closing-down scheme for the region's joint cultural institutions. Around half of the current 20 institutions or committees will be dismantled in the next two years.
      Among others, the Nordic Institute for Contemporary Art (NIFCA), located on the island of Suomenlinna in Helsinki, the Nordic Music Committee, and the Nordic Literature and Library Committee will be closed down.
      The aim is to create long-term cultural co-operation projects instead of maintaining permanent establishments.
      A preliminary decision on the reform was made earlier this summer. The Nordic ministers will now decide on the implementation, the finalised schedule, and a new organisational model in Reykjavik.
      "The reform aims to save money on administration and to re-direct it to cultural activities", says Special Advisor Risto Kivelä from the Finnish Ministry of Education.
     
The changes will be implemented in two stages.
      "From the beginning of 2006, three committees will be closed", Kivelä says. During next year, preparations will be made for the second stage of the reform, which will result in the dismantling of a further seven cultural institutions in 2007.
      The reform does not include the Nordic Film and TV Fund in Norway, the Nordic Information Centre for Media and Communication Research in Sweden, and the Nordic Institutes in Finland, Åland, Iceland, the Faroe Islands, and Greenland.
      "The long-term cultural cooperation programmes replacing the closed institutions will provide grants for institutes such as NIFCA on Suomenlinna, enabling their guest ateliers to continue their activities", Kivelä says.
     
When the funding is project-based and periodical, the money can be used according to the wishes of the grass roots. This future scenario scares cultural institution circles.
      "As a result of the reform, cultural life will become politicised", charges Åsa Sonjasdotter, the chairperson of the NIFCA board.
      Sonjasdotter admits that Nordic cultural cooperation is too bureaucratic. However, she fears that the new reforms will create even more unwieldy structures.
      According to Sonjasdotter, the reform is a part of the privatisation and outsourcing frenzy that has gripped states and municipalities lately.
      "I fear for democracy. When competing for money, strong organisations inevitably come out as the winners."


Links:
  Nordic Council website

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