Crisis support for culture: "The money is not enough"

At the end of April, the January parties announced a crisis package of 500 million to replace cultural workers for missing work due to the corona pandemic. Now is the time to apply for the money that is distributed through the Artists 'Committee, the Swedish Cultural Council, the Swedish Film Institute and the Swedish Writers' Fund.

The Artist's Committee has the task of distributing SEK 70 million to affected cultural creators.

- I understand that people have panic, many today can neither pay rent nor food. The need is enormous, but I do not think that we can meet it fully, says the Art Committee's Anna Söderbäck.

In total, more than 3000 applications have been submitted to the Artists' Committee. If everyone were to be granted money, the sum amounts to more than SEK 125 million.

- Not everyone is enough. The government has been aware of this all the time, but this is part of a crisis package that must be supplemented with other parts of other crisis packages. Some receive unemployment insurance, some receive business support and some receive this, she says.

The Author Fund is responsible for the distribution of 10 million from the crisis package. They have received 438 applications, a total of 42 million.

- It won't be enough for everyone. We will need to prioritize both those who will receive support and, above all, reduce the amounts, says Jesper Söderström, Director of the Authors' Fund.

The Swedish Film Institute has already distributed the 50 million of the crisis package they are responsible for. About 33.7 million goes to cinema owners, 15.7 million to distributors and about SEK 600,000 to film festivals.

“We have been quick at handling all stages to get these funds out as soon as possible. We know that there is a tremendous need in the industry and we hope of course for new extra funds to distribute soon, ”writes Kristin Engstedt, director of distribution and screening at the Swedish Film Institute in a press release.

The State Culture Council is responsible for distributing the largest part of the crisis money: 370 million. They have received 2,100 applications totaling SEK 760 million. They hope to be ready with the distribution before midsummer.

"We do not yet know if we will have to say no to those who have applied or not," Kajsa Ravin, Director General of the Culture Council, told the Culture News earlier.