"We're honored to be nominated for Cultural Municipality of the Year," says Daniel Sjögren (S), Chairman of the Culture Committee.
Members and elected officials of the public sector trade union, Vision, earlier this year nominated municipalities for the 2024 Cultural Municipality of the Year (Årets kulturkommun). Now, three of this year's seven nominated municipalities are in the final, including Skellefteå, Karlskoga and Värnamo.
– Vision wants to highlight municipalities that, even in difficult economic times, work to ensure that culture enriches people's lives and is an integral part of their daily lives. These should be municipalities that work with cultural issues in the long-term and recognise the importance of artistic freedom, says Annica Skoglund, Vision's culture manager and chair of the jury that selects the Cultural Municipality of the Year.
The jury considers several questions when evaluating each municipality: Is culture accessible to everyone in the municipality? Is culture marketed in a creative and professional way? Are initiatives promoted that can attract people even beyond the municipality's borders? The jury is now deliberating to select a winner, which will be announced on December 5.
Why do you think Skellefteå is a finalist?
– We in politics have made bold decisions to invest in culture and see this work as an important part of our municipality's development. In turn, our businesses work hard to make the best of the conditions that exist. It's fantastic that this is being recognised in this way, says Daniel Sjögren (S), chairman of the cultural committee, supported by Evelina Fahlesson (S), vice-chairman of the municipal council who said:
– It's really exciting that we have received this nomination; for me it's a confirmation of our focus on the importance of culture for the employees of Skellefteå municipality and for our community. It's wonderful.
"For me, it's a confirmation of our focus on the importance of culture," says Evelina Fahlesson (S), deputy municipal commissioner.
What do you think of your chances of winning?
– I would be surprised if they were not good, given that we have been so clear about the place and value of culture in our community. Culture helps us to attract more people and also helps us to develop in a sustainable way as we transform our society. It will be exciting competition with the other nominees, says Fahlesson.
– We're honoured to be nominated among such an exciting group of municipalities, all working and living in very different ways. The competition is tough. But we hope and believe that we have a chance to win; we are working towards it, concludes Sjögren.
Skellefteå is nominated for Cultural Municipality of the Year, 2024.
– During 2023, the cultural sector has been discussed more than ever before. Unfortunately, this debate is often accompanied by regional and national funding cuts within the sector. With the Cultural Municipality of the Year award, we want to draw attention to municipalities that value the power of culture and encourage cultural forms of expression to play an important role in their residents' lives, despite difficult economic times, says Annica Skoglund, Vision's culture manager and chair of the jury.
The winner of the 2024 Cultural Municipality of the Year will receive a diploma, a trophy in the form of a glass apple by artist Rune Strand, and a work of art to be kept by the municipality. The winner will be announced at a digital awards ceremony on December 5.