Public art in focus in a new project
The art in our public environments is what most people in Norrbotten encounter. It has great importance for how we perceive and enjoy the places where we live, move and spend time. But the expertise around public art is lacking. The new ART PROCUREMENT project meets a growing need in the county.
Industrial restructuring, major societal investments and an increasing focus on our living environments are placing new demands on how art is integrated into public spaces. To meet these needs, KONSTUPP is now launching. It is a three-year European project with the goal of strengthening the county's expertise in the area.
How can public art be procured, planned and implemented in a professional and sustainable way? The project will contribute to more actors gaining in-depth knowledge about it.
– Public art is an important part of how we shape our shared environments. With the right expertise, art can contribute to places that are both more attractive and more inclusive, says Silvia Colombo, art consultant at Region Norrbotten.
Silvia Colombo is an art consultant and a resource for municipalities in matters relating to visual arts and the designed living environment. Photo: Moa Höjer.Broad content
ART PROCUREMENT is being implemented as a training course in two rounds in 2026 and 2027. The training is aimed at professionals who work with, or want to work with, public art. This may be in roles as a consultant, project manager or commissioner.
The training includes lectures on important aspects of working with public art. These include:
- Public Procurement Act (LOU)
- What steps are included in a procurement?
- The one percent rule
- Budgeting and financial planning
Participants also gain knowledge about roles, responsibilities and collaboration between artists, clients and other actors.
In addition to lectures, workshops and study visits are included to provide an opportunity to deepen understanding. An international trip is also included in the training. It will provide inspiration and insight into how public art and procurement are handled in other places in Europe.
Towards a long-term network
During the third year of the project, the focus is on creating a long-term perspective. Using mentoring as a method, the goal is to establish a sustainable network in the field. This will contribute to the exchange of experience, knowledge transfer and strengthened collaboration even after the end of the project.
– By combining education with mentorship, we want to lay the foundation for a strong and vibrant network in Norrbotten. This is crucial to ensuring quality and continuity in future art projects, says Silvia Colombo.
The sculpture "The Humble Cloud" by Bigert & Bergström is located outside the Psychiatric Department's courtyard at Sunderby Hospital. It consists of a pedestal that gets warm during the winter, and a cloud that spins slowly and is illuminated by three balls. Photo: Ulrika Englund.
With KONSTUPPhandling, a comprehensive approach is taken to the supply of skills in public art in Norrbotten. The project will contribute to the region being better equipped for the future of community development. Art, architecture and design play a central role in the development of sustainable and well-designed living environments.
The project is initiated by Konstnärscentrum Nord in collaboration with the Norrbotten Region's art consultant and is financed by the Norrbotten Region and the European Social Fund.
FACT: The One Percent Rule
The one percent rule is a financing model in the public sector that means that approximately one percent of the budget for new construction, renovation or extension should be spent on artistic expression. It makes art accessible to the public, strengthens artists' working conditions and creates more attractive, vibrant environments.