2025-12-16

Creative Collaboration – Study Initiated for Artistic Innovation Office

The work to establish an Innovation Office for artistic higher education institutions in Stockholm has now begun with a preliminary study. The aim is to create a common platform for innovation where music, art, design, media, film, and performing arts meet the business sector, the public sector, and other fields of knowledge to develop new ideas, products, and services.

Initially presented in the 2024 Research and Innovation bill, the initiative marks an important milestone for the development of Sweden's cultural and creative industries. The Innovation Office will provide support to students, researchers, and teachers at the Royal College of Music in Stockholm (KMH), Konstfack – University of Arts, Crafts and Design, the Royal Institute of Art (KKH), and Stockholm University of the Arts (SKH).

The preliminary study has been initiated to ensure that the Innovation Office develops into an operation that contributes to the advancement of all four artistic higher education institutions. The study will make an inventory of the needs, expectations, and potential outcomes related to the institutions' education, research, and collaboration activities. The study will also investigate how the Innovation Office can contribute to the national strategy for the cultural and creative sectors.

A working group with representatives from all institutions is leading the effort and will develop proposals for the office's organization and governance. The results of the study are scheduled to be reported in June 2026.

“With a joint Innovation Office, we strengthen the artistic higher education institutions' opportunities to collaborate, create value and contribute to a sustainable and creative society. This study will be an important step in shaping a structure that truly benefits education, research, and artistic practice," says Henrik Frisk, Pro-Vice Chancellor at KMH.

The working group consists of the following representatives:

Henrik Frisk, Pro Vice-Chancellor and Professor of Music, KMH
Jenny Althoff, Pro Vice-Chancellor and Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Education and Collaboration, Senior Lecturer in Design, Konstfack
Axel Andersson, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research, Senior Lecturer in Art History, KKH
Alisan Funk, Head of Subject for Circus, Senior Lecturer in Circus, SKH

The project manager is Emilie Lidgard, Collaboration Manager at KMH. Thomas Arctaedius, Adjunct Professor of Entrepreneurship at KMH, serves as an expert advisor.