Swedish Museums Struggle with State Rental Model as Costs Soar
State museums in Sweden are grappling with increasing rental expenses due to a contentious leasing system, prompting some institutions to contemplate moving. A survey conducted among DIK members indicated that 90% lack the necessary resources to achieve their objectives. The National Museums of World Culture suggested that the Museum of Mediterranean and Near Eastern Antiquities and the Museum of Far Eastern Antiquities should relocate for financial reasons. Additionally, the Army Museum has opted not to renew its lease in Östermalm. Established in 1993, the rental framework has led to tensions between state revenue and the preservation of culture. The outgoing Tidö government intends to shift from cost-based rents to income-adjusted ones, though discussions are still ongoing. Furthermore, the Moderna Museet has also experienced rising costs and has ended its lease at Kanonverkstaden. Director Tone Hansen has called for a discussion regarding the rental policies for state museums.
Key facts
- A DIK member survey last year found 9 out of 10 respondents lacked sufficient resources to fully carry out their missions.
- The National Museums of World Culture proposed that the Museum of Mediterranean and Near Eastern Antiquities and the Museum of Far Eastern Antiquities in Stockholm leave their premises due to costs.
- The Army Museum announced it would not renew its lease in Östermalm.
- The criticized rental model dates back to 1993 when the National Property Board was established and market rents were introduced for state properties.
- In 2001, the Nationalmuseum and four other central cultural institutions switched from market rent to cost-based rent.
- The outgoing Tidö government wants to replace cost-based rent with an income-adjusted rent.
- Magasin K reported in August that the Nationalmuseum and other museums had not agreed with the National Property Board on new contracts; the Nationalmuseum's annual rent in 2027 would increase by 5.2 million SEK.
- The Moderna Museet merged with ArkDes and the Swedish Arts Council on 1 January and terminated its lease for the 560-square-meter Kanonverkstaden office space.
Entities
Artists
- Robert Rauschenberg
- Patrick Amsellem
- Tove Nilsson
- Tone Hansen
Institutions
- Moderna Museet
- DIK
- Världskulturmuseerna
- Medelhavsmuseet
- Östasiatiska museet
- Armémuseum
- Statens fastighetsverk
- Nationalmuseum
- Tidöregeringen
- Magasin K
- Kunstkritikk
- ArkDes
- Statens konstråd
- Riksantikvarieämbetet
- Malmö stad
- Robert Rauschenberg Foundation
Locations
- Stockholm
- Sweden
- Östermalm
- Skeppsholmen
- Malmö