Framing the Artist: How Policy Frameworks Shape the Recognition of Artists in the Nordic Countries
The 2026 ENCATC Congress, “Artists and Cultural & Creative Professionals at the Centre: Rethinking Work, Policy, and Cultural Ecosystems”, took place in Nice, France, from 23–25 September 2026, in collaboration with Université Côte d’Azur.
The 2026 Congress explored how artists and cultural and creative professionals work, develop their careers, and are recognised and supported in a changing social, economic, technological, and policy landscape.
This paper examines how administrative, statistical and policy frameworks shape the recognition of professional artists in Finland, Sweden, Norway and Denmark. Drawing on recent national studies, official statistics and comparative policy analysis, it argues that definitions of artists are not merely technical instruments for data collection but institutional mechanisms that influence access to support systems, social protection and public recognition. Differences in occupational classifications, organizational membership criteria, grant systems, and statistical methodologies produce divergent representations of artistic labor. These differences complicate cross-national comparisons and affect the evidence base available for artist policy.
Forskning
Projektets forskare
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Maria Hirvi-Ijäs Specialforskare, FD, docent i nutidskonst +358 50 463 5575 maria.hirvi-ijas@cupore.fi Profil -
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