Finnish Conference on Cultural Policy Research 2026
The Society for Cultural Policy Research invites researchers, cultural actors, and decision-makers to the XII Finnish Conference on Cultural Policy Research, to be held in Oulu on April 9–10, 2026. The theme of the 2026 conference is “What will remain? The impacts of national, regional, and local cultural policy and projects”. The Conference provides a unique forum for discussing the impacts of current political decisions, programmes, and projects on the achievement of national cultural policy objectives , artistic work, cultural participation and the regional and local arts and culture ecosystems–both now and in the future.
Culture and the arts are built not only on moments, but also on continuity, commitment, and community structures. Cultural policy requires perseverance, but its manifestations, such as projects, programmes, and funding instruments, are often tied to current priorities, budgets, and political changes. What will remain of cultural policy actions when government terms change, funding periods end, projects come to a close, and the public visibility of current themes diminishes? During the current government term, there has been a lot of discussion about cuts to government appropriations and cultural budgets at both national and local levels. What will remain if the planned cuts in public funding for culture are implemented? What will happen to cultural sector actors and their operating environments?
Call for presentations is now published! More information here: https://kulttuuripolitiikantutkimus.fi/en/call-for-presentations-what-will-remain-the-impacts-of-national-regional-and-local-cultural-policy-and-projects/