3. Cultural and creative sectors
Norway
Last update: February, 2024
MUSEUMS
Within the last twenty years a large museum reform that aims to reduce the number of museum units at the regional level and to strengthen the existing units professionally and administratively has taken place and led to a public debate. The process, which is often termed "consolidation", has focused on mergers between museums in the same regions and on the establishment of national thematic networks. While this process has been substantiated by the importance of professionally and administratively strong museum units, critics have warned that this could result in isomorphism and the loss of local engagement and autonomy in the museum sector.
Last update: February, 2024
ARCHIVES
The latest white paper on archives (2015) focuses particularly on digitalization and accessibility. The white paper highlights the importance of preserving digital content as well as digitalizing written and printed documents. The development of the Digital Archives (an internet based open access archive) is part of this strategy making archives available for the public.
LIBRARIES
The Norwegian library policy is grounded in the Act relating to public libraries (The Public Libraries Act) enforced in 1986. This act (Chapter 1) states that:
- The task of public libraries is to promote the spread of information, education and other cultural activities through active dissemination and by making books and other media available for the free use of all the inhabitants of Norway.
- Public libraries are to be an independent meeting place and arena for public discussions and debates.
- The individual library shall place emphasis on quality, versatility and topical relevance in its services for children and adults.
- The library’s contents and services are to be made known.
- The public libraries are part of a national library system.
In 2015, the Minister of Culture presented a paper outlining the strategies for Norwegian Library policy for the next four years (2015-2018). This strategy focused particularly on a common national infrastructure for libraries (Norwegian libraries is a municipal task), the development of digital content, including e-books, and the importance of libraries as cultural venues and social arenas
Last update: February, 2024
The performing arts policy in Norway has since the seventies consisted of large institutional/repertoire theatres and orchestras funded by both the state level as well as the regional and local level. A report from 2016 showed that the public subsidy level for these institutions varied between 73 and 93 %. Currently (2023), a total of 33 institutions, 16 theatres, 7 orchestras, 10 operas and three dance institutions, received a total of 2,8 billion NOK (240 million Euro).
In addition to this, some minor preforming art institutions and companies also receive state support directly from the ministry. Arts Council Norway provides support for independent, fringe companies primarily as project based fundings. Due to recent cultural policy debates, the funding provided to performing arts to smaller companies has increased considerably in recent years. However, the share of the total funding is still low compared to the institutions funded by the ministry.
Last update: February, 2024
Norwegian cultural policy towards visual arts and crafts consists of different support schemes and measures. Concerning art production, Government Grants for Artists is an important scheme. In 2022, 263 visual artists, 34 artistic photographers and 79 craft workers received such grants. Concerning art dissemination, the most important measures are the art museums which is considered a part of the museum policy. Within the last years two large museums have been established in Oslo, The Much Museum (financed by Oslo municipality) and the National (art) Museum, financed by the ministry of culture.
Measures towards dissemination also includes schemes for art in public spaces. According to An Order-in-Council, budgets for new buildings owned by the state shall include an allocation of 0,5-1,5 %to public art or decoration. Several municipalities and regional municipalities follow a similar practice.
In recent years there have been several debates/controverses concerning private/public partnerships in art-museums. The director of the National Museum received much critique when engaging in a partnership with the Fredriksen Family Collection.
Last update: February, 2024
The term cultural and creative industries (CCI) do not have a long tradition in Norway. However, it is important to mention that Norwegian art policy, particularly since the millennium, has included a wide range of popular cultural expressions that might be characterised as creative industries in other European countries. This includes support-schemes for popular musicians, concert promoters and festivals provided by Arts Council Norway, Support schemes for the film-industry, production of videogames etc.
The recent whit paper on culture (from 218/2019) has a subchapter on CCIs. This chapter states that the CCIs in Norway experienced an economic growth between 2000-2009, but a decline from 2008-2014. This decline is much due to the collapse of the media industry but also due to a general growth in Norwegian industry making the CCI relatively less important. The paper also states that the profitability in the CCI is limited compared to other sectors in the Norwegian economy.
There have been some few policy programs directed towards the CCIs in Norway from both the Ministry of Culture, the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development and the Ministry of Trade. However, these programs have been limited in terms of budgets.
Last update: February, 2024
The main categories of instruments in the literature sector are exemptions from outgoing VAT, purchasing schemes and fixed prices on books. Currently the VAT exemptions only includes printed books. However, there is an ongoing discussion whether the exception also shall include digital books.
During the last few years there have been public debates about a sector agreement for the book trade between the Norwegian Booksellers Association and the Norwegian Publishers Association, which means that there are fixed prices on books during a limited period in Norway. The agreement relies on an exemption from the competition rules that the authorities have approved. The agreement has been perceived as important in order to ensure a decentralised network of bookstores throughout the country, to ensure the income of writers, and the promotion of a diverse literature.
Until 2005, one of the most important provisions of the agreement was the rule whereby the price of books had to be fixed in the year of publication and the following year. While the competition authorities have wanted to remove or radically modify the "book agreement" for the last two decades, the publishing and bookseller sector wanted to implement this in the legislation as a law on fixed book prices. Currently (2022), a draft for a book law is out for consultation.
Last update: February, 2024
It is seen as one of the government's main responsibilities to ensure that in a small country such as Norway there should be a range of films and other audio-visual products that reflect its history, culture and language. In the latest white paper on Norwegian film policy (2015), the present government outlines its goals:
- Ensure a large and diverse film production of high quality.
- Ensure the distributions of films to all citizens.
- Ensure a high audience on Norwegian film and TV series both domestic and abroad.
- Encourage the development of a professional and profitable film industry.
There are several schemes of state support for the film industry administered by the Norwegian Film Institute. This includes support for films, tv-series, short-films, documentaries, script development, film export etc.
Recently (2016), the Norwegian Film Institute introduced a new incentive scheme aiming to increase the number of international films and series produced in Norway.
Digitalization has also had several impacts on the film industry, the film policy and the way in which Norwegians watch movies. All cinemas in Norway have been digitalized giving the opportunity for most cinemas to present new movies simultaneously. Further digitalization has caused the extinction of video rental shops. Simultaneously, the number of subscribers to streaming services such as Netflix and HBO has increased significantly.
Digitalization has also called for a more format-neutral support system. This is emphasised particularly in the latest white paper (2015).
Last update: February, 2024
Music has always been a prioritised art form in the Norwegian cultural policy, but there are no clear-cut distinctions between ordinary, artistic-based support and support for music with commercial potential. A wide range of popular music festivals and arenas get public support and there are support schemes for musicians in most genres.
Nevertheless, in recent years the government has focused quite a bit on the commercial potential of music, especially on exporting music. Both the Ministry of Culture and the ministry responsible for trade have supported Norwegian music export. Since 2012, Music Norway has been given the mission to promote Norwegian music abroad.
Every year, the Norwegian government invites foreign journalists, experts and representatives of the music industry to the annual music conference By:Larm, which is an arena for promoting Norwegian popular music.
Please find the available information on this subject in 3.5.1.
Please find the available information on this subject in 3.5.1.