City-wide

The Culture Committee reviewed a proposal from Isabel Smedberg Palmqvist (L) and Jonas Naddebo (C) to strengthen collaboration between the City of Stockholm and the Stockholm Film Festival to increase access to film culture for children and youth. The Culture Administration approved its statement in response, indicating no intention to investigate concrete collaboration models with individual actors like the film festival. Instead, the administration referred to existing cultural grants the festival can apply for and the city's strategic work on children's right to culture.

The Culture Committee responded to a letter from Isabel Smedberg Palmqvist (L) and others regarding establishing more "stumbling stones" in Stockholm. The administration stated that if more such memorials honoring victims of Nazism are to be installed, the artist's intentions must be respected. They also noted that the Forum for Living History provides excellent material for using existing stones as educational resources.

The Culture Committee responded to a letter regarding increasing the number of digital books in libraries. The administration assessed that the current selection of physical, digital, and accessible media largely meets Stockholm residents' needs, but noted that e-books are more expensive per loan than physical books. Stockholm Public Library is, however, reviewing contract models and monitoring the e-media market.

The Culture Committee responded to a politician's letter regarding the Culture Administration's work to improve accessibility at the city's venues. The Administration stated that they continuously work on this, including through a cultural guide function that assists venue operators with accessibility adaptations and by offering grants for both physical and digital adjustments. However, the Administration acknowledged that shortcomings remain, especially in older buildings, and currently has no plans to investigate further specific measures for audio description, subtitling, or alternative ticketing systems to increase economic accessibility.

The Culture Committee responded to a letter from Isabel Smedberg Palmqvist (L), Kristina Lutz, et al. (M), and Jonas Naddebo (C) regarding extended library opening hours. The Culture Administration stated they are already working on implementing "extended access" (meröppet) at more libraries and have increased staffed hours. They concluded that current opening hours largely meet needs, but will review registration procedures for extended access to simplify the process.

The Culture Committee decided against an additional independent review of the study association Ibn Rushd, as requested by the Sweden Democrats. The committee reasoned that a 2024 external analysis by the Culture Administration already confirmed Ibn Rushd met the city's conditions for cultural grants. However, since Ibn Rushd lost its state funding and ceased operations on January 1, 2025, the Culture Committee did not fulfill its previous decision to grant them support for 2025–2026.

The Culture Committee decided not to tighten the democratic conditions for association grants, despite a motion to stop funding organizations that exclude based on nationality or ethnicity. The administration found the current guidelines sufficient, citing a European Court of Human Rights ruling that legitimizes boycotts without calls for violence. The matter was referred to the Municipal Executive Board.

The Culture Committee approved the Culture Department's statement in response to a Moderate Party motion advocating for increased accessibility to Stockholm's art collection, including digitization, inventory, retrieval of missing works, conservation, and placement of art in municipal facilities. While the department welcomed the ambition, it noted that many of the motion's aims are already being met, and expanded efforts would require additional resources and funding.

The Stockholm City Archives approved the Swedish National Courts Administration's proposal to relieve courts of the obligation to physically bind judgments and final decisions, aiming for fully digital management. However, the City Archives opposed retaining the option for voluntary binding, suggesting the Courts Administration develop a new proposal to ensure a uniform digital workflow across all courts.

The Culture Committee decided that the Culture Administration should cover the costs for four elected officials to attend the Bok- och biblioteksmässan in Gothenburg. This includes one-day seminar passes per person and round-trip train travel for the fair, which takes place from September 24-27.

The Culture Committee decided to participate in the Nordic Culture Committee Meeting, also known as the Capital City Conference, in Mariehamn, Åland, in 2026. This means one representative from each political party on the committee and two officials were offered to attend. The Stockholm Culture Administration will cover the costs for travel, accommodation, potential fees, as well as remuneration and per diem according to city regulations.

The Culture Committee appointed new reference persons to assess applications for grants to study associations and local management organizations. Banar Sabet and Nazem Tahvilzadeh were appointed for study associations, while Emma Dominguez was appointed for local management organizations. These appointments, valid from September 2026 to August 2027 with a possibility of extension, aim to strengthen the administration's assessment of applications.

The Culture Committee has approved a city-wide functional description for culture coordinators, aiming to provide more equitable access to high-quality culture for all Stockholm residents. This initiative seeks to make it easier for people to participate in and practice culture in their local areas, with a special focus on underserved groups such as children and youth, individuals with disabilities, and the elderly. The matter has now been forwarded to the City Executive Board for further processing.

The Culture Committee approved the administrations' statement regarding the City Audit's 2025 annual report. The audit found that operations were generally well-managed financially, but internal controls were partly insufficient. The Committee needs to specifically improve controls over payment cards, payroll, direct procurements, and the city's art collection, and has planned measures to address these shortcomings.

The Culture Committee approved the Culture Administration's first trimester report for 2026, which indicated that most goals were on track, including work related to culture, leisure activities, and preventing violent extremism. The Committee also requested several budget adjustments, notably for film production, Liljevalchs art gallery renovations, security systems for Odenplan City Library, and technical upgrades for the Kungsträdgården stage. Members from the Liberal, Moderate, and Centre parties acknowledged the positive results but emphasized the need for clearer plans to boost youth engagement in cultural and associational life, and expanded multilingual cultural programs for seniors.

The Culture Committee noted a report on how the City of Stockholm applies the "one-percent rule," which allocates a portion of building project budgets to art, and filed it. The Sweden Democrats welcomed the review, stressing responsible use of taxpayer money and greater citizen influence over public art development.

The Culture Committee noted the Culture Strategic Staff's activity plan for 2026. This means the committee reviewed the plan but made no further decision on the matter.

The Culture Committee has reviewed and filed information regarding the follow-up of the work environment for both the Culture Administration and the City Archives. This means the committee has received an account of how systematic work environment efforts have functioned within these operations during the year.

The Committee for Organizations and Associations reported a delegation decision concerning a time-limited grant to the association "Tillsammans." This grant is intended to support the association's work with member engagement to counter sexual violence.

The Social Services Committee's Organization and Association Subcommittee granted a time-limited SEK 300,000 contribution to the Motorists' Temperance Association (MHF) for the choir "Gatans röster." This grant, valid from July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2027, supports the choir's work with vulnerable individuals, including those facing addiction, mental health issues, and homelessness, by providing choir practice and social support.