Where you live in the country is crucial to your access to the performing arts, the National Theatre says in a press release.
Twenty-eight percent of children’s performances are concentrated in Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmö, according to a survey by the Swedish Agency for Cultural Analysis.
Today, the National Theatre reaches children in more than 50 locations with its performances. The donation will make it possible to expand its productions by 40 percent, allowing tours to “reach even more locations in Sweden,” the organization writes.
Increasing private sponsorship of cultural life has been a sticking point for Culture Minister Parisa Liljestrand (M) during the current government’s term. However, the National Theatre and the Erling-Persson Foundation agree that the initiative cannot replace state funding.
“Private funding can complement public funding, while state support remains crucial to ensuring a strong and democratic cultural policy for everyone,” says Susanna Dahlberg, CEO of Riksteatern.
The initiative will run for three years.
The Erling-Persson Foundation was founded in 1999 by Stefan Persson, chairman of H&M. It primarily supports scientific research, teaching and education, and the development of children and young people.
