A survey conducted by Novus on behalf of Stockholm Art Week has found that Swedes hold art and culture in high regard, yet struggle to name contemporary artists. The poll of 1,174 people showed that 75% of respondents consider art and culture important in an open and tolerant society, according to multiple reports. Just over half of respondents said they are interested in art and culture, indicating a broad cultural engagement. However, when asked to name living Swedish artists, few could name more than two, and 38% could not name a single living artist. The most frequently named artists were Lars Lerin and Ernst Billgren, both well-known figures in Swedish art. Another source reported that one in three Swedes cannot name a living artist, a figure that roughly aligns with the survey's 38% but differs slightly, possibly due to rounding or different phrasing.
Stockholm Art Week, which commissioned the survey, aims to bridge this knowledge gap. The initiative includes the photo exhibition 'Welcome to my art town', featuring ten artist portraits, to increase public familiarity with living artists. SVT, the Swedish public broadcaster, went out on the street to ask young people in Uppsala about their knowledge of Swedish artists, capturing the disconnect firsthand. The survey's findings underscore a challenge for cultural institutions: how to translate general appreciation for art into specific knowledge of artists. While the margin of error for the Novus survey has not been disclosed, and the demographic breakdown of respondents remains unknown, the results point to a widespread lack of awareness. The exact date of the survey is also unclear, but the data has already sparked discussion among art educators and promoters. Stockholm Art Week hopes that initiatives like the photo exhibition will help close the gap, making contemporary art more accessible to the public.
To provide more context, the survey was conducted by Novus on behalf of Stockholm Art Week, a recurring event that showcases contemporary art in the Swedish capital. The 1,174 respondents were asked about their attitudes toward art and culture, as well as their ability to name living artists. The results show a stark contrast: while 75% value art and culture in an open and tolerant society, only a small fraction can name more than two living Swedish artists. This suggests that while art is broadly appreciated, specific knowledge of contemporary artists remains low. The most frequently named artists, Lars Lerin and Ernst Billgren, are both established figures, indicating that lesser-known artists may be largely unrecognized. Stockholm Art Week's photo exhibition aims to address this by featuring ten artist portraits, each accompanied by information about the artist's work and background. The exhibition is part of a broader effort to increase public engagement with living artists. SVT's street interviews in Uppsala further illustrate the gap, as many young people struggled to name any living Swedish artists. These findings highlight the need for continued efforts to promote contemporary art and artists to the public.