Daniel Sjögren (S), chairman of the cultural committee since 2019, is happy and proud that Skellefteå is among the top ten municipalities in Sweden that invest in culture.
– In a growing municipality it is important to invest in culture. We need a cultural hub where more people can put down roots and feel at home. Where there is an opportunity to develop one's own creativity and to be influenced by professional cultural people who have high standards of work.
In which cultural areas have you invested the most in 2023?
– In 2023, we have invested extra funds in Sara Lidman's 100 years anniversary. In addition, we are still in the process of procuring a new book bus, which is a big investment. We have also decided to keep the Brunnsteatern in municipal ownership.
At the council meeting today in Skellefteå, we will propose a seven million kronor budget increase for culture: four million kronor for the culture committee and three million for the city council.
What are your main investments in 2024?
– The main investment is the book bus as well as public art. Then we will continue to work strategically on the development of Nordanå and also take a closer look at the school library study that we are looking at together with the school.
What is your vision for Skellefteå and culture?
– We are working to make the Nordanå area, of which Brunnsteatern is a part, even more vibrant, with a focus on developing the area as a visitor destination. The budget committee is also proposing an investment in public design, which we see as a good investment.
In Vilhelmina, which spends the lowest amount of kronor per inhabitant on culture in Sweden, a cultural and music school for young people was closed. The state's investment in cultural schools has been reduced from 200 million kronor to 100 million in 2023.
How will you invest in cultural schools in the future?
– We are encouraging local schools to avail themselves of time at the cultural school during school hours. It is, after all, a tuition-free school.
Will there be more or less investment in the cultural school in 2024?
- No decisions have been made, but the budget proposal to the city council largely includes compensation for cost increases.
What are you most proud of in terms of cultural investment in Skellefteå?
- That we have invested in Sara kulturhus, which has meant a huge increase in culture in the municipality. Not only in terms of what is on offer, but also in terms of cultural debate. One of the things we are trying to do now is to become the town center of the year in 2026, and we are hoping to work well with the business community to make that happen.