Welcome / About the Summit
Welcome to Arctic Arts Summit 2026
What began as an ambitious idea in Harstad in 2017 has grown into the Arctic’s leading platform for cultural policy dialogue, artistic exchange, and international cooperation. Today, Arctic Arts Summit brings together artists, cultural leaders, researchers, institutions, Indigenous representatives, and policymakers from across the Circumpolar North to explore how culture can help shape the future of our region.
At a time of profound geopolitical change, environmental transformation, and societal uncertainty, the Arctic needs strong cultural voices more than ever. Culture is not a luxury—it is infrastructure for democracy, resilience, identity, and international understanding.
This year, we are especially grateful to our Swedish hosts and partners. Through their vision, dedication, and generosity, Ubmeje/Umeå has become a meeting place for the entire Arctic. Their commitment demonstrates the power of local leadership in building international cooperation.
As we gather for the fourth Arctic Arts Summit, one thing is clear: this platform is here to stay. Together, we are building lasting networks, stronger institutions, and a shared cultural future for the Arctic.
Welcome to Ubmeje/Umeå.
Maria Utsi
Arctic Arts Summit Secretariat, Director
A Warm Welcome to the Summit
Culture is an essential part of a well-functioning democratic society and plays a vital role in society’s robustness and resilience. The Swedish Arts Council’s mission is to promote the development of and access to culture in Sweden, based on the national cultural policy objectives. As part of our work, we promote the culture of the Indigenous Sámi people and national minorities, safeguard artistic freedom, and support international exchange and collaboration with other countries.
At a time when the Arctic region is changing rapidly, climatically, socially, and geopolitically, the role of art and culture is becoming increasingly important. In an Arctic context, issues of artistic freedom and the ability of indigenous peoples and national minorities to preserve, develop, and share their languages, cultures,
and stories are particularly urgent. The issue of collaboration is also central—both in an international and a national context.
As a co-funding partner and participating actor, we look forward to contributing to a forum for dialogue, knowledge exchange, and collaboration on the future of the Arctic. Through shared platforms like this one, we can strengthen partnerships, turn ambitions into action, and contribute to an open, democratic, and resilient Arctic.
We look forward to inspiring conversations, new perspectives, and joint efforts toward a sustainable and inclusive Arctic. Together, we can turn our ambitions into action and create the conditions necessary for long-term, sustainable developmen in the Arctic.
See you in Ubmeje/Umeå at the Arctic Arts Summit!
Klara Tomson
Swedish Arts Council, Acting Director General
Welcome to the Heart of Sábmie
We are proud to welcome you to our part of the world and the fourth gathering of Arctic Arts Summit: a Summit where we hope you will encounter new perspectives, new knowledge, new ideas and new friends.
Our ambition is to reshape the narrative of the Arctic: from a region defined by resource extraction to one recognised for knowledge, creativity and cultural leadership grounded in Indigenous and northern perspectives.
The Arctic Arts Summit provides an important platform to raise and highlight key issues on an international stage, foster collaboration and strengthen cultural infrastructure. It is only natural that the summit is held here — Ubmeje is a vibrant city with strong cultural ambitions in the heart of Sábmie.
Welcome to Sweden. Welcome to Ubmeje. Welcome to Arctic Arts Summit.
We look forward to meeting you.
Jenny Skarstedt
Umeå kommun, Director of Culture
From the heart of Saepmie, we at Viermie K welcome you to the Arctic Arts Summit 2026 in Ubmeje/Umeå and to the lands, stories and artistic visions of the North. At the Arctic Arts Summit, we gather artists and institutions to make possible deep conversations between lands, peoples and futures.
Viermie K is a Sámi network for organizational, artistic and curatorial collaboration, born from the belief that Indigenous culture and art is a force that shapes Sapemie’s and the Arctic´s cultural, political, social and ecological realities. Rooted in Saepmie and connected across borders, we work to strengthen Sámi cultural sovereignty — to make visible the knowledge, memory, and innovation that flow through our people, languages and movements.
As we welcome you to Ubmeje in 2026, we invite you to listen deeply. To the sound of languages still spoken. To the knowledge we inherited long ago. To the rhythm of our joiks and to the silent voices of our lands. This Summit is an opportunity to move beyond representation, toward relationships and a common future.
During the Summit, Viermie K will host conversations, performances and encounters that center Sámi, Indigenous and Arctic perspectives within the global arts ecosystem. We welcome you to join these moments as compatriots in a shared creative future and hope that you make new networks and friends for life.
Let Arctic Arts Summit be a space where Arctic knowledge meets contemporary expression, where art becomes a bridge between histories and futures, and where every meeting is an act of recognition.
From Saepmie to the Arctic world — welcome to a summit of voices, visions and vitality.
Jerker Bexelius
Viermie K, Chair of the Board
Buerestbåhtieme, Buerie båeteme
Warm welcome to Sápmi and to Ubmeje
On behalf of the Sámi Parliament, it is my honour to welcome you to our traditional lands – to a land that holds generations of knowledge, stories, and lived experiences.
You have gathered here from across the circumpolar region – artists, culture bearers, decision-makers, and storytellers – to share knowledge, experiences, and visions for the future.
Here in Ubmeje, you are on lands where the reindeer follow their natural migrations, and by the Ume River – a lifeline that for generations has carried people, and life itself. These are places that remind us of the connection between land, heritage, and survival.
Sápmi is not just a place, but a living landscape of languages, memories and relationships. Here, Sámi art and culture have always been a driving force – for identity, resistance, and creation. As in other parts of the Arctic, our stories are deeply intertwined with the land, and with one another.
The Arctic Arts Summit is an important meeting place. It strengthens cooperation across borders and brings forward Indigenous perspectives at a time when the Arctic is rapidly changing. Here, space is created for dialogue about the role of culture in societal development, self-determination, and sustainable futures.
I hope your days in Ubmeje are filled with inspiration, new connections, and bold ideas. That you listen, share, and carry with you what you experience here.
Johanna Njaita
Sámedikki ságadoalli / Chair of the Sami Parliament
Acknowledgements
Steering Committee
Jerker Bexelius (Viermie K)
Keith Larson (Umeå University)
Joakim Sandberg (Region Västerbotten)
Jenny Skarsdet (Umeå kommun)
Maria Utsi (Arctic Arts Summit Secretariat)
International Coordinators
Sigrid Aakvik (Denmark)
Nadia Jackinsky-Sethi (Alaska)
Katie Johnson (Yukon)
Arnakkuluk Kleist (Kalaallit Nunaat)
Jonna Leppänen (Finland)
Ragnheiður Skuladottir (Iceland)
Project Management Team
Jerker Bexelius (Viermie K)
Victoria Harnesk (Viermie K)
Elin Hellrönn (Umeå kommun)
Maria Utsi (Arctic Arts Summit Secretariat)
Livestream & Media Partner
Taqramiut Nipingat Inc.
Summit Team
Eva Conradzon (Viermie K)
Maegan Fidelino (Arctic Arts Summit Secretariat)
Thomas Hansen (Umeå kommun)
Fredrik Lindqvist (Umeå kommun)
Johanna Lindqvist (Umeå kommun)
Maggie Laing (Arctic Arts Summit Secretariat)
Peter Lundgren (Umeå kommun)
Alysa Procida (Arctic Arts Summit Secretariat)
International Advisory
Susanne Andreasen
Reneltta Arluk
Dawn Biddison
Nivi Christensen
Mathias Danbolt
Angie Demma
Dine Arnannguaq Fenger Lynge
Heather Igloliorte
Melissa Shaginoff
Sajje Solbakk
Suki Wellman
Jens Smith Wergeland
Co-Organizing Partners
Aejilies • Film i Västerbotten • Gaaltje Saemien Museume • Giron Sámi Teáhter • Jillat Samiskt Danscenter • Såhkie • Tjállegoahte • Tornedalsteatern • Verdde
