Sustainability has become a common feature in cultural policy work in the Nordic countries. In government policy documents, various national interpretations emerge regarding the role of culture in sustainable development. This review highlights how cultural policy efforts related to sustainability primarily focus on social and environmental values. These dimensions are often closely linked—for example, in areas concerning cultural heritage and the historic environments. Economic aspects of sustainability are less prominent in the analysed policies, appearing mainly in policies on business development, funding systems and economic conditions for practitioners within the cultural sector.
Kulturanalys Norden (2023) has previously observed that the Nordic countries have a tradition of pursuing cultural policies where arts and culture are seen as instrumental resources, contributing to societal benefits. This perspective is especially evident in sustainability initiatives related to cultural heritage and architecture, where reusing existing resources is often emphasised. The same logic appears in efforts to improve access to culture and broaden cultural participation, which are typically framed in terms of fostering values such as community, inclusion, and well-being to increase the social sustainability on a societal level.
At the same time, many Nordic governments express ambitions for the cultural sector itself to become more sustainable. This includes improving working conditions for artists and cultural professionals, as well as making more environmentally conscious choices within the everyday practices of the sector. The diversity of interpretations illustrates the multiple ways in which cultural policy can support the sustainable transition, without exerting political influence over artistic content. There are also points of overlap between the two overarching perspectives on the role of culture within sustainable development. For instance, a more sustainable cultural sector can contribute to a more sustainable societal development overall. Hence, the policy initiatives examined in this policy brief, to varying degrees, relate to both perspectives.
While many initiatives aim to facilitate sustainable development, these efforts are often framed as general goals and strategies. In several cases, these strategies include concrete proposals for action. Yet, the concept of sustainability is in many policies used in broad and visionary terms, and it often remains unclear how the policy intentions are to be implemented in order to effectively promote sustainability. The Nordic governments’ sustainability-related budgeting principles and financial conditionings within expenditure on culture tend to be vague and ambiguous as well. While we have not conducted a comprehensive survey of sustainability-related activities in the cultural sector, we have, however, noted multiple examples of when everyday practices of cultural authorities and cultural institutions in the Nordic countries, are clearly characterised by the promotion of sustainability.
With this policy brief, Kulturanalys Norden has shed light on ongoing cultural policy efforts regarding sustainability. Several important questions lie ahead though—such as how the cultural sector can actively contribute to sustainable development while also protecting artistic freedom and the intrinsic value of culture. Equally present is the need to explore how sustainability is being pursued in practice across cultural institutions and activities.