Archive of Quotes on Cultural Policy
This database contains quotes from Norwegian parliamentary debates on cultural issues, primarily from the period 1924–1969. The quotes were collected by Professor Emeritus Marit Bakke at the University of Bergen as part of the project “Norwegian Cultural Policy in a Historical and Cultural Analytical Perspective 1814–2000”, led by Professor Hans Fredrik Dahl at the University of Oslo. The project was funded by the Research Council of Norway in 2001.
About the Archive
The archive features quotes from Storting debates focused on how culture is discussed as a collective good and how it relates to the development of the welfare state. According to Bakke (2005), two main arguments support public funding for culture: market failure and external benefits (culture serving the public interest).
The following five key dimensions are central to the database:
- Accessibility: Art and culture should be available to all, regardless of how often they are used.
- Cultural heritage: Preserving heritage benefits both current and future generations.
- National identity and prestige: Culture fosters both local identity and international recognition.
- Public enlightenment and education: Cultural engagement encourages personal growth and creativity.
- Artistic quality and innovation: Artists and institutions must be able to experiment and strive for quality to enrich future cultural heritage.
Other Searchable Themes
- Social conditions: Many artists cannot support themselves solely through their art.
- Cultural sectors: Ensuring fair treatment across different fields of culture.
- Culture and society: How culture compares with other public sectors.
- Regional politics: Urban-rural disparities in cultural policy.
- General cultural policy perspectives: The role of the state, funding responsibilities, and culture in a globalized world.
Here, welfare refers to equal access to cultural goods. The database includes examples of practical cultural policy, such as the establishment of:
- The National Touring Theatre (Riksteatret)
- The Rural Cinema Service (Norsk Bygdekino)
- The National Gallery Touring Service (Riksgalleriet)
- The National Concert Institute (Rikskonsertene)
Background
The quotes were collected by professor emeritus Marit Bakke and transferred to NSD in 2005. For more context, see Bakke (2005): Culture as a Collective Good.
Data Quality
The material is of high quality, though the selection was made with a specific focus, which affects which quotes were included.
Use
The database is useful for analyzing arguments made in parliamentary debates regarding cultural funding. While not comprehensive, it is extensive enough to reveal key trends.
Most quotes are excerpts, but full speeches can be accessed via the listed sources.
Sources
All quotes are taken from Storting Proceedings (Forhandlinger i Stortinget), with page numbers recorded.
About the Datasets
The archive consists of two tables:
- Quotes on Cultural Policy: Contains the quotes and biographical details.
- Cultural Policy Themes: Links each quote to one or more themes.