About the Fund
Together for a new Nordic Region Using culture to break down barriers The Nordic Culture Fund works to support an innovative and dynamic artistic and cultural scene in the Nordic Region, one that is diverse, accessible and of high quality.
The Fund contributes to positive artistic and cultural development in the Nordic Region by promoting co-operation between Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, the Faroe Islands, Greenland and Åland. It does so by gathering knowledge and information, building networks and providing financial support.
The Fund was established in 1966, based on an agreement between all of the Nordic countries. It currently has a budget of DKK 36 million, the majority of which is awarded in the form of grants to projects in the Nordic Region and beyond. In recent years, the Fund has also evolved into an active participant in and facilitator of networks, the aim of which is to support the development of cultural policy in the Nordic Region.
The Nordic Culture Fund's grants are financed from the budget of the Nordic Council Ministers which is approved by the Nordic Council. The Fund is therefore a part of the official Nordic collaboration. The Nordic Culture Fund has according to its agreement also possibility to receive other funds for its purposes. In connection with allocation of puls funding The Fund has received funds from Nordic Council of Ministers for Culture, MES (Finnish Music Foundation) and Statens Kunstfond in Denmark.
Funding
Since its inception in 1966, the Nordic Culture Fund’s core task has been to allocate projet funding. Today, has three channels: the general project fund which has three annual deadlines, OPSTART and the priority theme funding pools.
OPSTART: The OPSTART fund was launched in 2015. OPSTART supports the initial development and networking phase that precedes major Nordic projects. There are no application deadlines. The Fund notifies applicants of its decision within two weeks. The maximum OPSTART grant is DKK 25,000.
Priority theme pools: The Nordic Culture fund's priority theme pools are established to support the current cultural policy initiatives. In 2016 the fund has allocated funding within the initiative HANDMADE. HANDMADE grants are also awarded during 2018 as a part of the project funding pool. In 2017-2019 funding is also distributed within the puls initiative which acts a springboard for the creation of a Nordic music network.
The Fund reserves also a proportion of its budget for pool slinked to more specific themes chosen to support its general work on the development of cultural policy. Appropriate themes are identified and pools established on a regular basis and as part of a dynamic process.
Cultural policy initiatives
In recent years, the Nordic Culture Fund has evolved into an active participant in and facilitator of new networks, the aim of which is to develop cultural policy in the Nordic Region. The Fund offers forums for promoting, developing and disseminating knowledge about culture and cultural policy through the acquisition of knowledge and working with relevant stakeholders. The Fund identifies current, relevant themes related to cultural policy, as well as relevant stakeholders who are well placed to address these issues. The Fund also participates in existing networks and develops dialogue with other stakeholders.
Communication
In 2016–18, the Nordic Culture Fund will focus on communications. Stakeholders in the Nordic countries have demonstrated a growing interest in the Fund becoming more active and visible. It is becoming increasingly important that the Fund monitors and participates in new forums, networks and initiatives. Funding external communication initiatives underpins this part of its work.
The Board 2019
Denmark:
Board member: Mogens Jensen, Member of Parliament, Chairman of the Board
Substitute: Jan Erik Messmann, Member of Parliament
Board member: Leif Lønsmann, former director for Koncerthuset, DR
Substitute: Elsebeth Gerner Nielsen, principal, Kolding designskole
The Faroe Islands:
Board member:
Substitute:
Finland:
Board member: Paavo Arhinmäki, Member of Parliament
Board Substitute: Peter Östman, Member of Parliament
Board member: Esa Rantanen, head of arts support, Arts Promotion Centre Finland
Substitute: Tiina Kuoppa, head of planning, Arts Promotion Centre Finland
Iceland:
Board member: Steinunn Þóra Árnadóttir, Member of Parliament
Substitute: Anna Kolbrún Árnadóttir, Member of Parliament
Board member: Þórunn Sigurðardóttir, Chairman of the Board (and former director) for Reykjavik art festival
Substitute: Einar Kárason, writer
Norway:
Board member: Jorodd Asphjell, Member of Parliament
Substitute: Helge Andre Njåstad, Member of Parliament
Board member: Henning Henriksen, assistant secretary general, Ministry of Culture
Substitute: Astrid Zachariassen, senior advisor, Ministry of Culture
Sweden:
Board member: Lars Mejern Larsson, Member of Parliament
Substitute: Jessica Polfjärd, Member of Parliament
Board member: Signe Westin, Deputy General Director, Swedish Arts Council
Substitute: Teshome Wondimu, founder and manager, Selam
Greenland:
Board Member: Lone Nukaraq Møller, head of department for Culture, Leisure, the Church. Vice Chairman of the Board
Substitute: Mika Lyberth, culture consultant at department for Culture, Leisure, the Church.
Åland:
Board Member: Fredrika Sundberg, director for culture and leisure, Mariehamns stad
Substitute: Jan-Ole Lönnblad, dead of culture, Ålands landskapsregering
The 13 members of the Board are appointed by the Nordic Council and the Nordic Council of Ministers for a two-year period. Each Nordic state has two members; the Faroe Islands, Greenland and Åland have one each. The chair is for a term of two years and rotates between the five states.
In 2018-2019 Denmark has the chair.
Mogens Jensen, Chairman of the Fund
The Fund’s panel of experts has 19 members. They provide quality assurance, ensure that the views of people outside ‘official’ Nordic circles are taken into account and guarantee support for the work of the Fund at national level. Experts are appointed for three years at a time and provide valuable professional input to the Culture Fund by assuring the quality of applications and establishing new contacts and networks.
The Nordic Culture Fund’s panel consists of experts in art and culture and are appointed by the Board.
Denmark:
Bjarke Svendsen
Henrik Jansberg
Steen Bille
Ole Jensen
Finland:
Dan Henriksson
Pirjo Hamari
Sade Kahra
Satu Tuittila
The Faroe Islands:
Kjartan Hansen
Greenland:
Alexander Montgomery-Andersen
Iceland:
Margrét Bóasdóttir
Markús Þór Andrésson
Norway:
Deise Faria Nunes
Hege Newth Nouri
Unnur Sande
Hild Borchgrevink
Sweden:
Inga Lundén
Jochum Landin
Viktor Zeidner
Henrik Orrje
Aaland:
Susanne Procopé
The Nordic Culture Fund's Project Ambassadors
The Nordic Culture Fund's Project Ambassadors are helping to mobilize new actors, shorten the way for applicants to the Fund and raise awareness of the Fund. The ambassadors can reach the potential applicants through their own network and give advice on how to implement Nordic culture projects based on their own experiences. The Project Ambassadors come from different Nordic countries and they work daily within various sectors of the cultural world.
Jonatan Habib Engqvist
jonatan(at)philosophy.seJonatan Habib Engqvist is a theorist, curator, teacher and freelancer. He has produced international programs and exhibitions i.a. in Norway, Sweden and Iceland. He has also written for and edited various journals and books.
Astri Fremmerlid
astrif(at)perspektivet.noAstri Fremmerlid has a versatile career in the museum sector. She worked as the project manager in establishing the Perspective museum in Tromssa, and has worked as the museum’s director since 1995. Astrid has also worked as an associate professor at the University Museum in Tromssa and as the director of The Regional Museum in Trondarne. She is educated as Cand.Phil in ethonology, sociology and geography from the University of Bergen.
Mikaela Westerlund
toimisto(at)walhalla.fiMikaela Westerlund is the executive director of film agency Walhalla in Finland. She is also the film secretary at the Finland-Swedish Film Centre which strives for an active and vibrant Swedish film culture in Finland. She has studied Nordic literature, media culture and video production and works also with scriptwriting and film directing.
Jette Sunesen
jsu(at)aarhus.dkJette Sunesen, director of Aarhus Centre for Literature, has studies literature and art history. Since 1996 she has worked with developing and spreading the literary landscape in Aarhus. She has worked at the association “Litteraturen på Scenen”, Kulturhus Aarhus, Aarhus Festuge and since 2012 as the director of Aarhus Centre for Literature. During the years Jette has participated in several collaborations and worked with both national and international partners. She has a large network and holds an extensive knowledge within art and literature.
Søren B. Kristensen
rocktraum(at)gmail.comSøren B. Kristensen is the fund's Project Ambassadors for the funding programme puls. He is the driving force behind many concerts, activities and musical societies in Denmark, such as Project Nordic Band Camp, record label association Labelkollektiv and Nordkraft (Center for culture and leisure in Aalborg). Søren is a member of The Danish Arts Foundation’s Committee for Music Project Funding 2016-2017. He was the chairman of ORA – Organisation for Rhytmic Amateur musicians in 2010-2013.
Olivur Eystberg
olivur(at)tutl.comOlivur Eystberg is a record company employee and store manager of the Faroese record company Tutl. He is a bookseller and for a number of years he has also worked as a film technician and operator. He is engaged in Havnar Jazzfelag, which organizes the Vetrarjazz music festival. Furthermore, Olivur has a great interest in art photography.
Nivi Christensen
nich(at)sermersooq.glMaternity leave.
Nivi Christensen is Head of Nuuk Art Museum. She has produced a number of art exhibitions and has worked to spread the knowledge of Greenlandic art. She has studied Art History and written articles specifically for the Greenlandic art and culture magazine Neriusaaq. She has also contributed to a number of books on Greenlandic art.
Your application process
1. Your bright idea
Develop your project and draw inspiration from successful applicants. Consider applying for OPSTART funding to develop your idea and your Nordic network.
2. Your application
Get off to a good start – read the application criteria. Create a profile and submit your application on My Page. If you are applying for OPSTART fill in the application here.
3. Response and payment(s)
Await a response to your application. See what to do once you receive funding.
