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1. Developing entrepreneurial skills through cultural activities

2. Support young entrepreneurs in the cultural and creative sectors

Developing entrepreneurial skills through cultural activities

The incorporation of entrepreneurship competence in formal learning and in the curricula is presented in section 3.8 (on Development of Entrepreneurship Competences) of the chapter on Employment and Entrepreneurship. 

Upper secondary education

The Arts Programme is a higher education preparatory programme at upper secondary level. The education aims for developing students’ knowledge in and about aesthetic forms of expression, and about people in contemporary society, in history and in the world based on artistic, cultural and communicative perspectives. Students should be given the opportunity of developing both their skills and analytical ability.

The education should also make students aware of legal and ethical issues concerning freedom of expression and copyright in cultural activities and in communication with the general public. Many cultural workers receive commissions in their own companies. There should be opportunities for students to develop knowledge of entrepreneurship and business.

The Arts Programme has five orientations:

1. Art and design
2. Arts and media
3. Music
4. Theater
5. Dance

University college education

The universities of Uppsala and Gothenburg offer bachelor programmes on Media, aesthetics and cultural entrepreneurship (Medier, estetik och kulturellt entreprenörskap, kandidatprogram) and on Cultural entrepreneurship (kandidatprogram i kulturentreprenörskap).

Non-formal education

Folk high schools

The folk high school (folkhögskolan) is aimed primarily at adult students from the age of 18 years (see section 8.5 Developing cultural and creative competences, for more information). Cultural entrepreneurial skills may be developed by following a profile course, targeting those who already have the basic skills needed. An example is digital music production, a one year programme for those plan to work professionaly with digital music production. Another example is education in music creation for interactive environments such as games and web applications ,preparing for work in the growing industry of games, multimedia and IT.

Support young entrepreneurs in the cultural and creative sectors

There are no specific schemes for young creative professionals who wish to start up a business. General information and advice on how to get started is provided by three government agencies, the Swedish Companies Registration Office (Bolagsverket), the Swedish Tax Agency (Skatteverket) and the Swedish Agency for Economic and Regional Growth (Tillväxtverket) at verksamhet.se, where those who run or a about to start their own business can find information and services.

Young Enterprise

Young Enterprise Sweden (Ung företagsamhet) is a politically independent, non-profit educational organisation and is part of the worldwide organisation Junior Achievement. Young Enterprise gives children and young people the opportunity to practice and develop their creativity and entrepreneurial abilities. Among other activities, Young Enterprise even provides teachers and school leaders with training opportunities, assessment support and seminars.

In 2017, Young Enterprise Sweden arranged a competition for the most creative young enterprise of the year (årets mest kreativa UF-företag), alongside with the annual Championship in Young Enterprise. The competition aimed to reward creativity and ability to think outside the box. Young creators were to compete with contributions for example for a new product or service.