If Sweden keeps closing rehearsal spaces, how can it remain a major force in the music world? That is the question artist Toussaint Chiza is putting to the country’s cultural politicians. He is the latest voice in TT’s summer series on cultural policy ahead of this autumn’s elections.
Ahead of the vote, TT is inviting a number of culture and entertainment figures to ask their most pressing questions of cultural politicians and receive answers. Those responding sit on the Riksdag’s Culture Committee and serve as their party’s spokesperson on cultural issues.
Björn Wiechel (S)
If the Tidö government’s cuts to rehearsal spaces are allowed to continue, Sweden will lose its standing as a leading music nation. The Social Democrats want to invest in student associations to create more rehearsal spaces across Sweden.
Alexander Christiansson (SD)
Student associations have themselves chosen to close rehearsal rooms, because it is a costly activity while there are more profitable ways to use study circles. We think that is unfortunate. The Sweden Promise we have entered into with the Liberals includes a point about access to premises, which covers rehearsal rooms. At the same time, we believe society benefits from public education that prioritizes quality over quantity.
Kristina Axén Olin (M)
There are thousands of rehearsal rooms in Sweden, found with property owners, in schools, recreation centers, cultural centers, churches, community centers and student associations, as well as companies that only rent out rehearsal rooms. New ones are being added all the time, so the media image is not accurate. State funding for student associations has decreased, but because the number of participants has fallen so sharply, the associations now receive more per participant despite the reduction. Maintaining and stimulating the cultural and creative industries takes many things, and we have decided on a ten-year strategy in the Riksdag.
Vasiliki Tsouplaki (V)
It is vital that student associations can reopen the more than 300 rehearsal rooms closed this term due to cuts by the government and SD. In our budget we proposed restoring the 500 million that was removed. The music activities of the student associations are a very important part of the Swedish music miracle.
Catarina Deremar (C)
This needs to be addressed. Rehearsal rooms are hugely important for renewal, and everyone starts somewhere by preparing for their first meeting with an audience. They are essential if the Swedish music miracle is to survive and develop.
Roland Utbult (KD)
Rehearsal rooms remain extremely important, even though many songwriters and producers have moved into home studios through new technology. As a Christian Democrat, I still value the study circles of the student associations, with support for band rehearsal rooms. It is also a municipal responsibility.
Mats Berglund (MP)
In our shadow budget we are restoring the half billion the Tidö parties deducted from the student unions. But we must protect and strengthen the entire education chain for musicians and cultural creators, from cultural schools and more culture in schools, through the folk high schools’ creative education and the student unions’ rehearsal rooms, to higher artistic training at the music colleges.
Malin Danielsson (L)
Without rehearsal rooms and these environments, it will be difficult to remain a successful music country. That is why the Liberals want to increase government funding for student unions again. For me, it is crucial that these resources actually remain. The chance to start playing music should not depend on where you live or what resources you have.