Cultural policy in the Nordic welfare states: aims and functions of public funding for culture

Finnish cultural policy as public funding: Regime view across policy domains

“…For many years, the wellbeing effects of culture have been an area of cross-administrative development and programming in public administration and a strategic target of sectoral cultural policy (see MinEdC 2017). This policy area fits well with the aims of the welfare state cultural policy implemented in Finland since the 1960s but at the same time presents new instrumental orientations and justifications to the governance of cultural issues (see Häyrynen 2018;Sokka 2022). The cultural policy role of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health is focused on the welfare effects of culture and cultural rights.…”

“…As for the much-debated question of instrumentalism (e.g., Mangset 2020), there has not been a significant reallocation of public resources for instrumental purposes (creative economy, welfare etc.) within the Finnish sectoral cultural policy Sokka 2022). Finnish sectoral cultural policy relies heavily on legislation, which has been used to guarantee the stability of public funding for the arts and cultural services (e.g., Saukkonen 2014).…”

“…Furthermore, the concept of art was supplemented by an extended concept of culture along the lines of cultural democracy (e.g., Duelund 2003). Today, we see even more layers added atop these older objectives of cultural policy (Sokka 2022). Naturally, the administration of these matters always depends on how culture is defined, and how public authorities value its various parts.…”

“…Vestheim (2012: 534) presumed that "classical and institutionalized high culture still has a hegemonic position in present cultural policymaking". Although Finnish cultural policy has to some degree expanded the scope of its strategic objectives, the institutionalized "high culture" institutions (national art institutions, museums, and the municipal network of orchestras and theatres) are indeed still prioritized in how the Finnish state funds culture within the sectorized area of nominal cultural policy (see Sokka 2022). However, the third biggest funding domain of this part of the state budget as well is "other cultural activities" -such as support for the copyright system, multicultural activities, and other goals where culture is defined widely.…”

“…Like the other Nordic countries, Finland is characterized by a quite stable, welfare-oriented Nordic-model (Mangset et al 2008) cultural policy system with strong state involvement. Extensive funding instruments, a heavy reliance of artistic and cultural activities on public contributions, and bureaucratic structures for cultural administration are characteristic features of the system (See Sokka & Johannisson 2022).…”