New Swedish Performing Arts 2018/19 1
INTRODUCTION What are the essential components of
a well-functioning democracy? One of the answers, in our opinion, is a strong and independent cultural sector. A vibrant cultural scene, where opportunities to experience and to create art are open to everyone, benefits all of society. Nothing develops in isolation from its surroundings. This is particularly relevant in the cultural sector. Encounters with artists and audiences from other countries bolster the artistic development of Swedish creative practitioners, while globalisation is making a wider range of cultural offerings available to Swedish audiences. The Swedish Arts Council encourages, supports and promotes international exchange in the performing arts – through grant funding, by coordinating the Swedish presence at international performing arts fairs, and through other initiatives to highlight the work of Sweden’s performing artists. This directory presents many examples of the diverse range of institutions, groups, venues and individual artists working in Sweden. All the contributors to the directory have received funding from the Swedish Arts Council or the Swedish Arts Grants Committee. They all have extensive international activities that they are looking to expand. Twice a year, the Swedish Arts Council awards grants for international tours by Swedish artists and performances in Sweden by visiting international artists. Practitioners in the fields of dance, drama, musical theatre, opera, circus, performance art and other disciplines are eligible for funding. At the back of this directory, you will find contact details for the Swedish Arts Council and other funding bodies that may support international collaborations involving Swedish partners. We hope that the content of this catalogue inspires you to seek out new partnerships and collaborations with the Swedish Performing Arts sector. Staffan Forssell Director General, Swedish Arts Council