Debate at Kulturhuset Dec. 17

In collaboration with Lava we presented a debate at Klarabiografen, Kulturhuset, Thursday 17th December 6-8 p.m.

Why do so few Swedes from ethnic minorities or from working class backgrounds apply to art, design, theatre, dance or architecture schools? What are the backgrounds in Sweden’s art, design, theatre, dance or architecture students? Who’s in charge of recruitment?

Do the answers lie in broader recruitment through information on a University’s home page? Will this make more working class young people apply? Why are minorities so underrepresented at Sweden’s colleges and arts universities?

Is it because?
a. Young minority or working class kids are more interested in football than art, so there’s no point in trying.
b. The media image of the arts professions need to be rewritten
c. Education policy reform at high school level isn’t in tune with that at university and college level

In the debate the project 16304/ is presented as an example of a collaboration between three institutions, a centre of contemporary art, a high school and an art school with the aim of broadening the recruitment of young people from Tensta to the University of Arts Crafts and Design ain Stockholm. The debate also looks at how arts education is handled in primary education, the political aim of putting arts into schools, and how education reform can help to increase young people engagement in culture.

The panel

Elaine Bergqvist, - moderator (one of Sweden’s most sought after lectures and a rhetorician)
Seher Talayhan and Monika Mastafa, 163 04/ students, Ross Tensta High Scholl
Måns Wrange, Head of The Royal University College of Fine Arts
Calle Nathanson, Cultural Specialist at The Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions
Inger Nyrell, Principle Ross Tensta High School
Guleed Mohamed, Tensta Against Crime

With the debate we also released the 163 04/ VENEZIA NEW YORK PARIS
A book that describes our three-year educational project
The book is divided into three sections, Venice, New York and Paris - the three international destinations of the project. It includes writings by participants from the project including students from Tensta High School. The University of Arts, Crafts and Design (Konstfack), teachers, curators and artists. The book is designed by acclaimed young designer Parasto Backman.