City-wide

Isabel Smedberg Palmqvist (L) and Jonas Naddebo (C) inquired about deepening cooperation with thems, but suggested the festival could apply for cultural grants for child and youth programs, like other independent organizations. They also advised contacting the education department for school-based pedagogical projects.

Politicians from L, M, and C have questioned the Culture Department about Stolpersteine, an art project honoring victims of Nazism. They inquired about installing more Stolpersteine in Stockholm and making existing ones more visible and pedagogically useful. The Culture Department responded that any new installations would require collaboration with artist Gunter Demnig to maintain artistic integrity, and noted that the Living History Forum already provides excellent educational materials on the existing stones.

Isabel Smedberg-Palmqvist (L) and Kristina Lutz et al. (M) propose that Stockholm libraries offer more digital books to meet growing demand and increase accessibility. The Culture Department responds that the current digital and physical media offerings largely meet the needs of Stockholm residents, but e-books are more complex as their cost increases with each loan, unlike physical books. The City Library is working to review contract models and is monitoring developments in the e-media market.

Politicians Isabel Smedberg Palmqvist (L), Kristina Lutz et al. (M), and Jonas Naddebo (C) have questioned the Culture Committee on efforts to improve accessibility at Stockholm's venues. The Culture Administration responded that they continuously work to create equal opportunities for people with disabilities to participate in cultural life, partly through a "culture pilot" function that supports venues with accessibility adaptations. The Administration believes current work largely meets needs but acknowledges shortcomings remain, especially in older premises; they currently have no plans to investigate specific initiatives for audio description, subtitling, or alternative ticketing systems, instead addressing such needs via support applications from venue operators.

Politicians from L, M, and C have submitted a letter inquiring if the Culture Department intends to introduce extended self-service hours ("meröppet") at Stockholm's libraries. They seek the department's view on expanding "meröppet" for target groups like students and working adults, and how registration for it can be simplified. The Culture Department responded that "meröppet" is already implemented at eight libraries with more planned, and they continuously work to extend both staffed and unstaffed hours, believing current hours largely meet needs. They are also investigating improvements to the "meröppet" registration process, including digitalization.

Council members from the Sweden Democrats proposed an independent review of the study association Ibn Rushd's activities, compliance with democratic conditions for cultural grants, and whether past funds should be recouped. The Culture Administration responded that a 2024 external review already found compliance, and as Ibn Rushd lost national status, ceased operations on January 1, 2025, and prior checks showed no recoverable deviations, the motion's aims are met, requiring no further action.

A motion from Leif Söderström (SD) proposes that Stockholm tighten its democratic conditions for association grants, meaning organizations that boycott or exclude based on nationality or ethnicity, or have joined "Apartheid-free zones," should not receive support. The Culture Administration, asked to respond, believes current guidelines are sufficient and sees no reason to tighten them. They also refer to a European Court of Human Rights ruling stating that boycotts without incitement to violence are legitimate.

Moderates propose increasing public access to Stockholm's art collection by digitizing it, inventorying and valuing works, recovering missing pieces, and placing art in municipal facilities like schools and nursing homes, alongside reviewing rental models. The Culture Administration supports the ambition but notes ongoing efforts and that expanded measures would require specific funding.

The Ministry of Justice has circulated for comment the National Courts Administration's proposal to remove the courts' obligation to physically bind judgments and decisions, as these are now handled digitally and can be preserved in e-archives, which would also save money. The Stockholm City Archives agrees with removing the obligation but opposes retaining the option to continue binding judgments, as this could lead to inconsistent handling and complicate future archiving and transparency.

The Culture Department proposes that Banar Sabet and Nazem Tahvilzadeh be appointed as new reference persons to assess applications for grants to study associations. Emma Dominguez is proposed as a reference person to assess grants to local managing organizations. These reference persons will strengthen the department's assessment with their expertise, including in civil society, popular education, and participant culture, and contribute to a fairer distribution of grants for cultural activities in Stockholm.

The Culture Committee is set to approve a city-wide functional description for cultural coordinators. This aims to provide Stockholm residents with more equitable access to high-quality culture, especially for groups currently facing greater barriers, such as children, young people, individuals with disabilities, and the elderly. The cultural coordinator's role will involve stimulating and coordinating cultural work locally within the city districts.

The Culture Committee is to comment on the City Audit Office's 2025 annual report, which reviewed the Culture Administration and the City Archives. While the audit found operations to be largely appropriate and financially satisfactory, internal governance and control were only partly sufficient, highlighting the need to improve controls for payment cards, payroll, direct procurements, and art. The Culture Administration and City Archives largely agree with the audit's findings and plan to take action based on the recommendations.

The Culture Administration presented its first quarterly report for 2026, assessing that Stockholm's cultural activity goals will be met this year. They also proposed several budget adjustments, including SEK 0.2 million for film production, SEK 1.0 million for lost rent during Liljevalchs art gallery renovations, SEK 5.9 million for security at Odenplan City Library, and SEK 7.1 million for roof structure upgrades at Kungsträdgården's stage.

The Culture Committee investigated Stockholm City's application of the "one-percent rule" for public art funding and found a strong desire to review its implementation for more flexible financing and better geographic spread. A key conclusion is the need for Stockholm Art to have a clearer mandate and a consolidated budget to strengthen its administration and educational work.

The Culture Administration reports its activity plan for the Cultural Strategy Staff for 2026. The plan aims to increase access to culture for all Stockholm residents, especially children, youth, and seniors, by strengthening cultural support, establishing new cultural venues, and increasing collaboration with schools and recreation centers. Specific goals include a 4% increase in visits to recreation centers, sending 320 more children from vulnerable areas to summer camps compared to 2025, and boosting the use of the Kulanpremien program in schools.

The Culture Administration and the City Archives have presented their annual follow-up on systematic work environment management. The report indicates generally functional work environment efforts within the administration but highlights several areas for improvement. Proposed measures include strengthening communication about existing routines, improving work with health factors, and further developing the collaboration process.

The Culture Committee is to be informed of several delegated decisions made by the department head and other managers. These decisions concern, among other things, procurements of framework agreements for art project managers and wind instruments, call-offs for system development consultants, and agreements on inter-municipal compensation for student places in the cultural school. It also includes decisions on support for culture for the elderly, cultural programs in preschool and school, and artistic production and cultural arrangements.

The City Council is set to consider a proposal to approve the "Action Plan for Roma Inclusion 2030." This plan aims to strengthen efforts for Roma's equal rights in Stockholm and combat discrimination, ensuring Roma have equal access to human rights. It targets all committees and company boards within the city and extends until the year 2030.

The Culture Committee will decide on a total grant of SEK 656,000 to Mittiprickteatern economic association and Teatergruppen Pero economic association for offering cultural programs in preschools and schools during 2026. This grant aims to meet high demand, with the combined annual total for both organizations being SEK 1,456,000.

The Social Welfare Administration proposes approving a temporary grant of SEK 300,000 to the Motorists' Temperance Association (MHF) for July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027. This grant is intended for the choir "Gatans röster" (Voices of the Street), which supports individuals in vulnerable life situations, often with past substance abuse, mental illness, or homelessness. The choir provides rehearsals, group activities, and social support to boost members' self-esteem and foster a sober community.