国際交流基金 The Japan Foundation Performing Arts Network Japan

Arts Organizations 世界の支援団体

Dec. 25, 2010

北欧文化基金 Nordic Culture Fund

Established in 1967, the Nordic Culture Fund supports a wide variety of projects that are related to the arts and culture in the Nordic region with a flexible scheme beyond national borders. As a new model of support for the arts and culture, it has been drawing attention in Europe. The total amount of grants in a year is around 29 million DKK. The Nordic Council and the Nordic Council of Ministers appoint two members from each Nordic country (Denmark, Iceland, Finland, Norway and Sweden) and one member from each Nordic autonomous area (Greenland, the Faroe Islands and the Aland Islands) who consist the 13-member board. Consulting advices from experts of each cultural area such as dance, theatre and music (minimum two areas from a country), the board selects projects to be supported. The secretariat is based in Copenhagen.

The top focus areas of the Nordic Culture Fund are,
_ Activities for and with children and youths,
_ Activities contributing to an increased awareness of neighboring languages, including an increased awareness of the different Nordic languages as cultural markers,
_ Activities promoting the participation of new Nordic citizens in Nordic cultural cooperation,
_ Activities in scarcely populated parts of the Nordic region,
_ Activities promoting the cooperation between the western part of the Nordic region (The Faroe Islands, Iceland and Greenland) and the rest of the Nordic region.

The term "New Nordic citizens" refers to the cultural and ethnic diversity in the Nordic societies, which means the Fund supports not only "Nordic culture" but also multi- and different cultures in the Nordic Region. Basically, projects that involve a minimum of three Nordic countries or autonomous areas are accepted. In addition to that, the projects can include the cooperation of more countries outside of the Nordic region, can be completed both within and outside of the region, and can be in various forms such as conferences, concerts, tours, exhibitions or festivals. Both public and private, groups and individuals can apply for the grant. The applicants can be based both in the Nordic region or outside of it. The next deadline for application is February 1, 2011.