Arctic Arts Summit

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Arctic Arts Summit

Arctic Arts Summit 2017 is the first summit and conference where all eight Arctic countries participate to highlight circumpolar arts and culture.

The Arctic Arts Summit will serve as a catalyst for new knowledge and perspectives.

At the summit, policymakers and stakeholders from the cultural sector throughout the Arctic region will present, analyse and discuss the role of arts and cultures in the Arctic.

The main objective of the Arctic Arts Summit is to strengthen the arts and culture in the north and underline the role of circumpolar cooperation. The summit also aims to stimulate to the building of sustainable continuous collaborations within arts and creative industries and broader the international high north development.

We, who live in the North, and our culture, should be the foundation for development in the Arctic. It is important to build operational networks throughout the circumpolar north and develop cultural infrastructure that includes all the eight countries.

The people and culture in the North should serve as a starting point for the development of a circumpolar cultural policy.

On the first day of the summit, politicians from all the Arctic countries will present thoughts on how they read the Arctic culture and the Arctic art scene today.

Invited keynote speakers will reflect upon the position of the Arctic in the fields of art, and the standing of culture in the Arctic.

Day two will feature a wide range of break out sessions hosted by circumpolar arts institutions and organizations. These sessions will have academic, artistic and development perspectives, and include participants from all the Arctic countries.

The summit will present an Arctic arts program with music, performing and visual arts, representing all participating countries. Art from the circumpolar north will be essential in Arctic Arts Festival http://festspillnn.no/en, following the summit.

Arctic Arts Summit takes place in Harstad, Norway, Wednesday 21st to Thursday 22nd June 2017. The summit is planned as a biennial event, rotating between Arctic countries. 

Norway holds the Presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers in 2017. The Arctic Arts Summit is part of the Presidency’s Sector Programme for Culture.