Public Talk | Welfare, Identity, and Legitimacy: The Policy Logics of Public Cultural Spending in a Tiny Country

Iceland ranks among the world’s top countries for public investment in culture—both per capita and relative to GDP. It also boasts high levels of cultural participation and strong employment in the creative sector. But what explains this unique cultural landscape?

Drawing on Iceland’s place within the Nordic welfare model, this talk explores how factors like geography, cultural history, and national identity have shaped the country’s cultural policy over time. From the centrality of literature and language to an emphasis on cultural democracy and accessibility, Iceland’s approach offers a compelling case study in maintaining the arts as a public good.

Dr. Sigurjónsson will also reflect on how Iceland responded to the 2008 financial crisis with a renewed commitment to cultural funding—while acknowledging the growing pressures of economic change and the digital age. The talk will offer valuable insights into the evolving role of public cultural spending in small states and how cultural engagement can be sustained in times of uncertainty.

About the Speaker

Dr. Njörður Sigurjónsson is a Professor of Cultural Management at Bifröst University in Iceland. His academic work spans cultural policy, cultural democracy, audio culture, and organizational aesthetics, with a strong foundation in pragmatist and critical theory.

Before entering academia, Dr. Sigurjónsson held key leadership positions in Iceland’s cultural sector, including Managing Director of the Icelandic Literature Fund and Marketing Manager at the Iceland Symphony Orchestra.

His recent research has explored orchestral leadership, the impact of COVID-19 on cultural policy, the aesthetics of participation, and the influence of the Fourth Industrial Revolution on music management. His work is widely published in peer-reviewed journals and edited volumes.

Learn more about Prof Sigurjónsson