On this page

1. Existence of a national strategy

2. Scope and contents

3. Responsible authority for the implementation of the strategy

4. Revisions/updates

Existence of a national strategy

Norway does not have a dedicated national strategy for creativity and culture for young people. National priorities are set out in White Paper No. 18 (2020-2021) [«Oppleve, skape, dele — Kunst og kultur for, med og av barn og unge»] which establishes children and youth culture as a unified policy area at the national level. The white paper functions as the long‑term framework for developing cultural provision for children and young people.

Scope and contents

The goals presented in White Paper No. 18 (2020-2021) are:

• all children and young people, regardless of background, should be provided with access to art and culture, 
• art and culture that is created for and disseminated to children and young people is of high quality, 
• all children and young people should be provided with the opportunity to experience and to create culture on their own terms. 

These goals are to be achieved through:

• the development of children and youth culture as a distinct policy area,
• strengthening the role and responsibilities of counties and municipalities, including reviewing legislation on public authorities’ cultural responsibilities,
• maintaining municipal Schools of Music and Performing Arts and The Cultural Schoolbag [DKS] as key national measures.

Responsible authority for the implementation of the strategy

White Paper No. 18 (2020-2021) sets national policy priorities and functions as a long‑term framework rather than a time‑limited action plan Ministry of Culture and Equality holds primary responsibility for follow‑up, in cooperation with the Ministry of Education and Research, due to the close link between cultural participation and the school sector. 

Implementation involves:

• Kulturtanken – The Arts for Young Audiences Norway, responsible for national coordination of DKS;
• Municipalities, which operate kulturskoler, libraries and local cultural services;
• Counties, responsible for regional cultural development;
• Cultural institutions and organisations, which contribute to programme development and delivery.

Follow‑up is monitored through annual budget processes, mandate letters and reporting from national agencies.

Revisions/updates

White Paper No. 18 (2020-2021) is the first national policy document to present children and youth culture as an independent policy area. No major revisions or updates have been made since its publication.